Career advice: Anyone here a system's architecht/analyst?

Supercow · 10 Sep 2007 at 14:49

Never thought I'd be posting something like this, especially at the age of 27.
Is there any OcUK'er here that is a software architect of some sorts, that focuses on the analysis/ business delivery side of things?

If there are, would you be so kind as to add me to msn, or drop me an email (same email for both, in trust) or leave your details here so I can contact you.
I have a few questions to ask and would greatly appreciate pointers and input as to what I need to study and focus on.

Many thanks!

Greenlizard0 · 10 Sep 2007 at 15:04

Not wanting to sound selfish, but I'd be very interested (possibly) in answers you get for this. What kind of main points have you found?

Supercow · 10 Sep 2007 at 15:12

Well, as a synopsis.

I have no Dev experience, but to work your way to become a system's architect and system analyst, you need to have a deep understanding of development and the languages.

My relevant current experience, is I am involved in client deployment of software systems aimed at marketing people - more of the grunt work if you may.
I now wish to start studying and want to know which "path" to follow to reach my goal.

I was thinking of doing a MCAD as an "abridging course" and then do my MCSD, after which I wish to specialise in the analysis and business delivery of it.
IO also want to find out, what kind of reading I should do, before starting the mentioned course.

See below image

Stretch · 10 Sep 2007 at 15:17

I'm also 27, I work as a software developer for a large online media retailer. If you're wondering how you become a systems architect my answer to you would be lots of real world experience, both technical and business. You really don't stand much of a chance at 27. Most architects start as developers and when they know enough about the business they move into a "bigger picture" role.

Supercow · 10 Sep 2007 at 15:19

Fair enough, I thought that architecht might be a tad too late, however the business analysis part of it should be still wide open and I do have some experience in the field

Mr^B · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:37

I've got an MCSD.Net and work as a development manager (coder, then system analyst/business analyst, now development manager).

Happy to offer advice, etc.

Supercow · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:38

Mr^B said:
I've got an MCSD.Net and work as a development manager (coder, then system analyst/business analyst, now development manager).

Happy to offer advice, etc.

Thanks Mr^B, I shall drop you an email soon enough

edit: your blueyonder email is ok to use?

platypus · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:39

Please could you give a brief (or as detailed as you want to be) outline of your career path Mr^B?

Mr^B · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:42

sup3rc0w said:
Thanks Mr^B, I shall drop you an email soon enough

edit: your blueyonder email is ok to use?

Yup, no problem.

Supercow · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:47

Mr^B said:
Yup, no problem.

Sent

Mr^B · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:52

platypus said:
Please could you give a brief (or as detailed as you want to be) outline of your career path Mr^B?

University (BA Systems Analysis)

Then to a pretty large consultancy on their graduate "fast-track" - which was pretty weak - allegedly as an analyst programmer, but ended up becoming a sort of "office application specialist", which meant I had to go into corps. in the role of a consultant and sort out all their office app woes. (in essence, sort out companies who had pretty important systems embedded into Word, Excel and Access).

Then to a Japanese investment bank as a pure developer, doing some Clipper, SQL Server type stuff, with a smattering of C++.

Then to an Asset management firm (Investment banks are pretty hard work, it was quit the bank or quit the missus, I didn't have time to do both justice) as a developer, then as an analyst developer, then a business analyst, then an architect, then as a development team leader, and now as development manager (all that over the course of seven years).

Haircut · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:56

Mr^B said:
Then to a Japanese investment bank as a pure developer, doing some Clipper, SQL Server type stuff, with a smattering of C++.

That wouldn't have been Nomura by any chance?
I've heard that any day less than about 14 hours is a short one there!

Mr^B · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:58

Not Nomura, no. We worked far harder than that!

[TW]Fox · 10 Sep 2007 at 16:59

I don't wish to be pedantic and wouldn't normally be a grammar nazi but if you wish to go into a career like this, for which there is probably a lot of competition and potentially a lot of pay, it might help for the first thing you learn to be how to spell architect.

Otherwise you're finished before you've even started, as it's going to take a lot more than simply good spelling to get where you want to go.

Stretch · 10 Sep 2007 at 18:51

sup3rc0w said:
Fair enough, I thought that architecht might be a tad too late, however the business analysis part of it should be still wide open and I do have some experience in the field

Sorry, I think you took my reply the wrong way. Most systems architects are a fair bit older than 27, they generally start somewhere about 30-35. Most have between 7-10 years minimum in-depth system development experience of which at leased 5 will have been in a senior software engineer position. You are not too old, but if it's something you want to do I wouldn't wait to long. Industry knowledge is also invaluable when applying for these positions. Do you have any systems development experience, it's by no means something you can pick up over night?

sgx.saint · 10 Sep 2007 at 18:56

lol, read this thread title as "Anyone here a systems Anarchist"

Mr^B · 10 Sep 2007 at 19:31

By a strange coincidence, I have just been sent a job spec. for a C# quants developer at Nomura, paying about £60k basic for 5 years exp. +1 year of ASP.Net (which will be about £70-80k after bonus, etc...which you WILL earn, trust me).