From College Dilemmas to Business Analysis Excitement: My Journey Unfolded

Back in college, the whole "pick a major" thing had me scratching my head. After much pondering, I settled on an MIS degree because it seemed like the perfect mashup of my love for business and tech. Plus, I had this knack for explaining complex tech stuff in a way that didn't make people's eyes glaze over.

Then my brother Mark, who's brilliant but a bit socially awkward, dropped a game-changer: "Become a Business Analyst," he said. So, I checked out the job descriptions, and it hit me – the ideal combo of personal and tech skills. A gig where I could geek out on business and tech and play translator between the two worlds.

Fast forward to today, and everyone's buzzing about Business Analysis. It's got everything – flexible work setups, sweet salaries that often leave you pleasantly surprised, and work that keeps you on your toes. No joke, those were the exact things that reeled me in from the get-go.

Now, let's tackle the big question: How does one become a Business Analyst? Well, it depends on what skills and creds you've got in your toolkit. A degree in IT, Finance, Ops, or Healthcare can open doors tailored to those industries. Or, if you've got a background in the industry you want to dive into, that works too. I knew this Claims Examiner who smoothly slid into a Business Analyst role, thanks to her know-how in Claims.

But, if you're sitting there thinking, "I've got nada in the credentials department," fear not. The core skill set for a Business Analyst is, you guessed it, Business Analysis. And lucky for you, there are a bunch of ways to get a solid grasp on these skills. The go-to? Dive into some coursework. It's like the secret sauce that can unlock a killer career in business analysis.

Keen to plunge into the world of Business Analysis with me? Throw your email in the mix below, and let's explore the pathways that lead to a kickass and satisfying gig in this ever-evolving field.

So how do you become a Business Analyst? Well, that depends on what skills or credentials you can leverage. First, you want to leverage credentials. I.e. a degree in IT, Finance, Operations or Healthcare can really help if you are looking to break into those industries as a Business Analyst.

Another great way is having an existing background in the industry you want to work in. Oftentimes, people can pivot into a Business Analyst role at companies they are already at. I knew a Claims Examiner that was able to step into a Business Analyst role and gain valuable BA experience due to her background and understanding in Claims.

However, if you don't have any transferrable credentials or skills, don't sweat because there is still hope for you. The base skill set for a Business Analyst is Business Analysis and you can gain a strong foundation and practical working knowledge of these skills several different ways.

By far the most popular way to increase your skills and confidence is learning the fundamentals of Business Analysis. Taking coursework can increase your knowledge and could be the key to unlocking a successful business analyst career. If you would like to learn more about how to break into the world of Business Analysis check out my free e-book “Cracking the Code: A guide to launching your Business Analyst career” by entering your email below.