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4/17/2013 3:31 PM

	alfista1
1 posts

What MSc to study to progress as a BA?

Hi all,

I've been working as a Business Systems Analyst for 4 years now for a large international travel company. My main duties are regression testing using FitNesse. I design and code my own scripts for booking airline segments in our Host CERT system when new programs are coded before they are implemented into PROD. IN addition I design scripts for other duties such as validation scripts for data mediation and testing. I use KDM, unix, SQL etc also.

Had an opportunity to work as a BA in Texas (country relocation-got offered the position due to my experience and skills but later the immigration attorneys decided not to proceed as they wanted an IT specific degree for visa purposes).Was gutted!

In addition I see many BA positions asking for IT degrees and Masters now. I only have a Biology degree and a certificate in MCSE.

Now I'm very keen on obtaining a MSc in IT in London.

But there is such a huge array of IT degrees out there which one would be best to follow a career as a BA?

Thanks

6/21/2013 11:07 AM

	NitWitNick
259 posts

Re: What MSc to study to progress as a BA?

"But there is such a huge array of IT degrees out there which one would be best to follow a career as a BA?"

As a contractor I work with a lot of people who don't have degrees ... they do have years of experience in end-to-end system development (idea to support) ... great personalities and cool tempers to interact with others.

"I only have a Biology degree and a certificate in MCSE."

Check with some of the Hospitals data centers ... you might fit in as a BA because of medical terminology ... also, with medical stuff ... look at the ICD-9 & ICD-10 medical billing conversions currently going on.

6/21/2013 3:44 PM

	Sandy
74 posts

Re: What MSc to study to progress as a BA?

There are MSc degrees in Business Analysis, and also in Business Systems Analysis & Design which combines business analysis with technical skills. This might be a good match given your background, but it really depends on where your interests lie as well. There may be educational prerequisites for these types of programs. You should be able to find information online for programs in your area.

Many BAs could probably tell you they've found work without necessarily having a BA or an IT degree - but as you've discovered, you do need a related degree to get a work visa for the US, and probably true for many other countries as well. Since you're keen on getting an MSc, best thing is probably just to compare programs in London - see which has the best fit for courses that interest you, cost, and schedule too if that's important (if you want full-time or part-time, for example). You can compare the course subjects offered in a Master's program against the Knowledge Areas in the Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK) to find a good fit for a BA career.

Sandy