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Server Analyst Career Guide

How to Become a Server Analyst

A server analyst operates as a system inspector, evaluating a server system to outline any potential needs and diagnose prospective issues. Server analysts are also responsible for recommending appropriate changes to the server network, and can help a client recognize their server needs, and tailor server settings to help satisfy them.

While server technicians are responsible for much of the live upkeep that a server sustains regularly, server analysts are responsible for post-testing analysis. After server technicians have fulfilled their role, server analysts will perform the necessary investigation into server operations, to ensure that systems are working as expected.

Individuals interested in technology-based careers — and especially passionate about troubleshooting and overcoming server-based issues — should consult the below information for more details.

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What Is a Server Analyst?

The server analyst position is responsible for a majority of analysis performed on corporate or client servers, for insight into the server’s design, efficiency, network output, and/or other metrics. Server analysts have critical responsibilities to ensure an organization is able to continue running smoothly and avoid any issues that could cause delays or outages. 

What Does a Server Analyst Do?

As a server analyst, individuals are responsible for a range of daily tasks that can entail troubleshooting, systems checks, and regular server audits. Specific day-to-day job responsibilities of a server analyst can include:

  • Collaborate with team members and clients to identify server needs and test appropriately.
  • Regular server audits to quickly diagnose potential problems and seek solutions.
  • Leverage creative solutions in addressing a wide range of potential server problems.
  • Regularly communicate with clients looking for insight into server activity and performance.
  • Support other server team members, especially by testing new server optimizations completed by server technicians.
  • Correspond with team members to deliver any relevant server updates, especially updates that might compromise project updates or deadlines.

These and other job responsibilities define the daily duties of a typical server analyst, providing for a quality blend of communication, technical analysis, and server troubleshooting.

What Education Does a Server Analyst Need?

If you want to become a server analyst, a crucial first step will be to obtain a bachelor’s degree in information technology. While not always required for positions, a bachelor’s degree will help you gain important skills and enhance your résumé to help you stand out among other candidates. In an IT bachelor’s degree program you will learn scripting and programming, gain insight about different operating systems and security tactics, and understand business functionality with IT. These skills will be critical in a role as a server analyst. 

Best Degrees for a Video Game Designer:

Software Development – B.S.

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger...

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the...

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities.

  • Time: 67% of graduates finish within 30 months.
  • Tuition and fees: $3,920 per 6-month term.
  • Certifications: several CIW and CompTIA included in this program.

Certified Internet Web certification included:

  • CIW User Interface Designer

CompTIA certifications included:

  • CompTIA A+
  • CompTIA Project +

Software development is the second-highest rated specialty within IT. Secure your future with a degree and additional certifications.


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What Certifications Does a Server Analyst Need?

Top industry certifications along with a degree are often required by employers of video game designers. That is why WGU offers valuable certifications with degree programs, at no extra cost. Learn more about certifications and how they add value to your résumé.

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Two developers look over some code within an office.

What Skills Does a Video Game Designer Need?

Here are some of the top skills video game designers need to be successful in their jobs:

  • Creativity and artistic vision: Regardless of the genre, video game designers create entirely new worlds that immerse and delight players. Coming up with these scenarios takes an immense amount of artistic vision and creativity.
  • Time management: Video game design comes with a lot of moving pieces, and it’s your responsibility to deliver work that’s not only on-point but also on time. 
  • Communication and ability to work as part of a team: Game design requires effective communication skills on multiple levels, including making sure everyone’s on the same page, discussing hiccups when they inevitably occur, and collectively proposing solutions.
  • Passion and knowledge: If you’re going to become a videogame designer, you need to have a passion for games. You’ll also need to have wide-ranging knowledge of gaming trends and reflect them in your work.
  • Programming skills: While the design is crucial to the story and feel of a game, programming dictates how players interact with your created environment. Lua and Python are two of the most popular programming languages used in the gaming industry.

How Much Does a Video Game Designer Make?

$66,000

PayScale reports that the average salary for a video game designer is just over $66,000 per year, with a low of $40,000 and a high of $104,000.

Where you fall in the scale depends on several different factors, including your level of education, years of experience, and location. For example, PayScale indicates that, on average, video game designers earn the following based on experience:

-Less than one year: $55,501

-One to four years: $62,520

-Five to nine years: $76,047

-10 to 19 years: $91,395

-20 years and higher: $98,639

Video game designers have the opportunity to earn a good income once they put their talents to work.

 

What Is the Job Outlook for a Video Game Designer?

22% Growth

While some areas of video game design are expected to see decline, the technical design and development areas of video game design are still growing steadily. Software development in general is expected to see a 22% growth by the year 2029, and software developers who want to focus on video game design and development will have many opportunities for positions.

 

Do I Need Certifications to Become a Video Game Designer?

Yes

While there aren’t specific certifications required to become a video game designer, it can be extremely beneficial to obtain industry certifications that demonstrate your abilities in the software development field. Top certifications include CompTIA A+, CompTIA Project+, CIW User Interface Designer, and ITIL®1 Foundation.

 

Interested in Becoming a Video Game Designer?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this lucrative career.

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