New to the forums and just wanted to stop by and get your thoughts on my situation.
First off let me thank everyone who contributes to this site and forum. I have found it very helpful and educational in many different situations.
Over the past 6 months or so I have been seriously looking at my career and what I think would be an exciting, rewarding, challenging and interesting career/profession. After many late nights of researching, in-depth discussions, examining and assessing my skills, I’ve decided to try my hand at becoming a Business Analyst. I know given the state of the economy many would strongly oppose a career change and would stick it out in their current profession, but I’ve decided now is the time for a change for myself.
A little background. I started out 10+ years ago in a retail sales environment working for a Big Box retailer in the computer department as a sales associate. After a few different career changes I stumbled upon Technical Recruiting. For the past 4+ years I have been involved in Technical Recruiting at a senior level. I have been mainly recruiting Software Engineers (Java & .NET), Software Architects, Business Analysts, Project Managers & Program Managers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Network Engineers. Through direct interaction with hiring managers, ranging from Project Managers up to CIO’s and VP’s, and qualifying numerous candidates against the requisition and skills, I’ve acquired a great understanding of the SDLC, the ability to interface with clients and be a liaison between various groups.
I’ve always been intellectually curious, analytical and extremely interested in science and technology. I have yet to finish my Degree, which was Marketing, I’m about 30 credits away from graduation, I know this will be a roadblock, but I am hoping with the following Business Analysis certification from an excellent University which I plan on having completed by the end of this Summer, http://www.cce.umn.edu/certificateprograms/bac/ , and my experience, will allow me to enter the market as a Jr. or Entry Level Business Analyst. I have also switched my major to a MIS (Management Information Systems) Degree. I just purchased "Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis” by Barbara A. Carkenord and will be reading and studying this before the BA Certification course begins in August.
What are everyone’s overall thoughts? Any and all comments/suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks!