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Want to begin as Systems Analyst - what qualification should I work towards?

Answered Want to begin as Systems Analyst - what qualification should I work towards?

  • Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:38 PM
     
     
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     Hi guys,

    I was wondering if anyone could help me?

    I'm based in the UK and would like to start work as a Systems Analyst. I was doing this as a role for 9 months before I got made redundant. I'd like to know if there is a good introductory qualification I could study part time for the next year that would help me to get another role doing this?

    I've studied and used VBA but I understand that this is soon to be outdated.

    What I'd like to do is teach myself, and become competent in, one or more useful programming languages (perhaps Visual Basic or C#) and then gain some sort of certification to prove that I've done it.

    I'm after something that would be the most generic and widely applicable qualification.

    I've qualified before as an MCP in Windows 2000 and, with additional materials, used this to really teach myself about Windows operating systems. I wondered if I could do anything similar for programming?

    Obviously I'm looking for something that's as future proof as can be. Does anyone know what are the best areas to study? Would it be best to study Visual Basic or C# for example and what would be the best way to do this?

    I'm hoping to later go on to do an HND and then a degree, I was wondering what the best programming language was to start learning?

    Is a Microsoft qualification a good way to go about what I want to do or would I do better doing something else? I need to study part time at home.

    If anyone could answer any one of these questions I'd be very, very grateful.

    Thanks very much indeed.

     

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  • Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:11 PM
    Answerer
     
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    If you want to make the big bucks and do system analysis then become a BI Expert (Business Intelligence) and learn SQL Server Analysis Services and Integration Services plus BizTalk Server along with C# and Visual Basic.

    You do that and you're future proof for a long time.
    Stephen Charles Rea [MCT] askthemct.com
    • Marked As Answer by .revEditor Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:11 PM
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  • Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:36 PM
     
     
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    And, if you're going to study BizTalk, ensure you get a form grounding in Windows Communication Foundation and Workflow Foundation.

    Gerry
     
  • Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:03 AM
     
     
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     Hi,

    Thanks very much indeed guys : )

    I think that as I don't have that much experience as an Analyst as yet, I'd probably do well to start in a trainee position. Is there a generic qualification I could work towards that might open up options to be able to start at the begining of a range of possible roles?

    This is why I was thinking of Visual Basic or C # ; or perhaps SQL would be a good one to learn as well/or instead?

    Is there a good qualification I could work towards that would help in this and sort of form a basic grounding of knowledge?

    Thanks very much once again, I really appreciate your help.

    Dan : )

     
  • Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:49 PM
     
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    This is a great approach and I really like the fact that you are willing to go out there and improve yourself to pursue this possible position, frankly.

    Work on obtaining basic certification in a given area.  Anything that you know right now can be used as an asset.  Do you have enough experience to go after a single exam?  Pass that exam!

    Do you have experience in project management or a business framework like ITIL?  Work on an exam in this space!

    Starting with focusing on one or two low level exams when you are just getting started can give you very much a leg up over other candidates who are seeking a position.
    - Wayne Anderson (http://blog.avanadeadvisor.com/blogs/waynea)
    • Marked As Answer by .revEditor Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:44 PM
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  • Wednesday, June 25, 2008 5:02 PM
     
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    Hi Dan,

    Only by studying and getting certified, will not be enough for you to become a successful System Analyst. You will need experience as well. Most of the analysts out there are not borned, but formed. To start as a programmer, and learn a programming language, it is definitely the right approach. If you ask me which langauge to choose, I will suggest C#, but that is me!

    Regards,

    Tibi
    MCT, MCDBA, MCSD.NET, MCPD
    • Marked As Answer by .revEditor Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:44 PM
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  • Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:47 PM
     
     
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     Hi guys,

    Thanks very much again, I really appreciate your time.

    My plan is basically to get a qualification that will help me to get a job as a Trainee Analyst where I can begin to gain experience. My plan is really to study the technical side and gain some knowledge and then get the certification as a proof that I have done this study and gained that knowledge.

    I spoke today to a guy who reckoned that the best route for me to take would be to get a Microsoft certification in C# and/or .NET.

    From what I can see, the place to start is with Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework, Application Development Foundation. This is because this is the first exam you need to pass to begin either the MCTS or MCPD routes. The problem is that, from what I can tell, you need experience in order to gain the certification. The details on the MS site state:

    Candidates should have at least two to three years of experience developing Web-based, Windows-based, or distributed applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0, the .NET Framework 1.1, the .NET Framework 2.0, or the .NET Framework 3.5. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.

    Is there any certification that can be gained that is more introductory than this? The problem being that it seems that I can't get a job as a .NET developer because I can't get a certification to say that I have the knowledge to begin in the job and I can't get the certification because I can't get the job. It's a bit Catch 22 really.

    If I could just say as well, I'm going away for a few days from tomorrow, so I won't be able to reply to any posts until the middle of next week.

    Thanks again,

    Dan.

     
  • Tuesday, July 01, 2008 12:04 PM
     
     
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    - Bounce -

    Thanks guys. What I really want to know is, is there any qualification I can get to begin with (preferably in C # or .NET) that doesn't require that I already have at least a year's experience working in it?

    Basically, I just want a qualification that will prove that I have done the work of learning a language so that I can start working as a trainee programmer or developer.

    Thanks : )

    Dan.

     
  • Tuesday, July 01, 2008 1:52 PM
     
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    Dan301978 said:

    - Bounce -

    Thanks guys. What I really want to know is, is there any qualification I can get to begin with (preferably in C # or .NET) that doesn't require that I already have at least a year's experience working in it?

    Basically, I just want a qualification that will prove that I have done the work of learning a language so that I can start working as a trainee programmer or developer.

    Thanks : )

    Dan.



    You will want to look at the MCTS certifications on the .NET platform.  Prusue one of these initial technical credentials now, later you can build on that MCTS by adding other expans to pursue something like the MCPD which will credential the experience that you have gained at that point in time.
    - Wayne S. Anderson MCITP, MCSE, MCT http://blog.avanadeadvisor.com/blogs/waynea
    • Marked As Answer by .revEditor Saturday, July 05, 2008 10:43 PM
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  • Tuesday, July 01, 2008 8:04 PM
     
     
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     Hi,

    Thanks Wayne. Could you tell me if any of the MCTS certifications can be gained without having a year or so's experience? By this I mean that I'm sure that with hard work (and possibly additional study materials) you could pass the exam but would Microsoft give you the certification if you didn't have the required experience?

    Thanks very much again,

    Dan.

     
  • Wednesday, July 02, 2008 10:00 AM
     
     
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    Hi guys,

    Just as an update, I've spoke to Microsoft and apparently, although it's recommended that applicants have at least three years experience working on a .NET frame work for exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework, Application Development Foundation it's not a requirement. So you can pass the exam without the experience and present this fact to future employers. The exam is very hard though apparently and this is why the experience is recommended.

    Thanks to everyone for all their help, I've found it very, very useful.

    Regrads,

    Dan ; )
     
  • Wednesday, July 02, 2008 10:22 AM
     
     
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    Hi guys,

    I just quickly wanted to ask, is there an exam that I could take to begin with that is easier than 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework, Application Development Foundation?

    Thanks very much,

    Dan.

     
  • Wednesday, July 02, 2008 10:25 AM
     
     
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    ....also, could anyone who has taken this exam or any of the MCTS exams, tell me how hard the exams are in comparison to an exam for an MCP in Windows 2000 Professional?

    Thanks again,

    Dan.

     
  • Wednesday, July 02, 2008 11:35 AM
    Answerer
     
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    Exam difficulty is literally in the eye of the beholder so to speak. For example I would find any application development exam extremely difficult because I don't know the material. If you know your stuff you will find the exam easily handled. 
    Stephen Charles Rea [MCT] askthemct.com
    • Marked As Answer by .revEditor Wednesday, July 02, 2008 11:35 AM
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  • Wednesday, July 02, 2008 7:43 PM
     
     
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    Thanks .rev : )
     
  • Thursday, July 03, 2008 8:38 AM
     
     
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    Hi,

    Thanks for all the help guys. I've decided to push ahead and go for the exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework, Application Development Foundation.

    The only self study material available at the moment is the Microsoft self paced kit. I've read mixed revues about this book unfortunately. Some people say it's good but apparently it contains many errors which could easily confuse beginners. I see that a second edition of the book is coming out in October though, so what I thought I'd do is wait until the second edition comes out and, in the mean time, begin studying C#.

    Is this a good idea?

    I was wondering if anyone knew of a good book to start studying C#? I was thinking of the Microsoft book 'Visual C# 2008 Step by Step' by John Sharp. I've looked at this and a couple of other books; they all come with CD's but none of them say if the CD includes any sort of version of C# to practice on. Could anyone tell me if the books would include a copy of C# to practice on or would I have to go out and purchase it?

    I'm not at all sure how these things work so forgive me if I sound naive.

    Thanks very much,

    Dan.