ONE OF THE HOTTEST CAREERS TODAY - and one with highly favorable job prospects for the foreseeable future - is computer systems analyst. Analysts are in high demand by organizations that use computers (and what company operates without a computer?). That means opportunities exist in virtually every business and government agency, in every industry around the world. Systems analysts earn good salaries and enjoy outstanding prospects for long-term advancement. They may work in safe, modern offices, travel around the country, or do their jobs from the comfort of their own homes. They play an important role in providing organizations with customized technical solutions to the most challenging issues. Do you like working with computers? Do you enjoy solving mysteries and puzzles? Do you gain satisfaction from helping others? Are you a good communicator, both through the written word and while speaking with people? Do you like to learn new skills? Are you organized and responsible, and can you work well with others? Would you enjoy leading a team of colleagues towards successfully accomplishing an important goal? Then you may be ideally suited for a career as a systems analyst. Computer systems analysts apply technology to solve problems for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Analysts may be involved in selecting new software and hardware for organizations, or they may work to make existing systems function more efficiently. They may modify current systems or plan new ones. Some analysts are experts in certain types of businesses, while others focus on the technical details of computer programs or physical equipment. All analysts stay busy determining how they can best apply technology to help their organizations resolve problems and take advantage of new opportunities. The role of analysts is critical to helping their employers move forward with projects involving computer systems. They spend their time investigating issues by talking with everyone from high-ranking executives to data entry clerks. Computer analysts document their findings and propose solutions to address those issues. They remain heavily involved, while programmers, consultants and other information technology (IT) professionals implement the proposed solutions. Many analysts focus on computer science while they are in college, particularly those who plan to work in highly technical fields. Such training is generally required for programmer-analysts, who perform the role of an analyst as well as programming computer languages. However, experience and training in technology are not mandatory to become a computer systems analyst. Many analysts are specialists in a certain industry (chemical manufacturing or banking, for example). These business-oriented analysts are more knowledgeable about the industry in which they work than with the technical details of the systems they work with. Still, analysts of all types must stay up to date on the latest technologies to ensure they can recommend the most practical and efficient solutions to the challenges their clients face. If you have good analytical, technical and people skills, you can build a financially rewarding career as a computer systems analyst. With the right training and hard work, you can achieve the personal and professional satisfaction that comes with making organizations and individuals more productive and profitable. This new Careers Ebook contains a wealth of unbiased information about an occupational field, based on the latest national surveys. Careers Ebooks cover attractive and unattractive sides, opportunities, education necessary, personal qualifications required, earnings, descriptions of different job specialties, first person accounts by those in the field, and how to get started; including practical advice on what to do now. There are live links to schools and colleges, associations, periodicals and other sources of reliable information.