Hello all-
I am interested in becoming a BA, but I have no hands on IT experience. I graduated with my BA in Drama in 2006 and I have been working as an IT Recruiter for a little over a year now. Being a recruiter has peaked my interest in delving deeper into IT. I know, just from my experience in recruiting, that it's a little difficult to find employers that are willing to take on Jr. employees, let along employees with no IT background.
I'm willing to start from the ground and work my way up. If I can't start in immediately as a BA, that's fine. Is there anyone out there that could offer me advice? All I need to do is find someone that will give me a shot. Are there any companies and what kind of companies will take on someone like me to train and mold? Will I need to go back to school to acheive my goal of getting into IT? I don't have a lot of free time to go back to school, but are online degrees in IT looked favorably upon in the job world? I've thought about Help Desk opportunities since I know several people who have done that straight out of college, but I fear that I would be moving in the wrong direction to pursue that. What roles should I be searching to do to move into being a BA with my limited background?
I have so many questions. All help is appreciated!
Since you've only recently graduated, you are just at the beginning of your work life. Now is the best time to switch careers if you find one that suits you better.
Now is also the time to continue to invest in your education. I would strongly recommend that you don't try to jump your Business Analyst career without any formal training. Consider putting together a comprehensive education plan to help you move into business analysis.
Don't try to land related roles such as help desk analyst or quality assurance. If you serious about the decision to become a business analyst then you should get adequate training.
Best of luck!
- Adrian
Adrian-
Thanks for your quick reply. When you say I should consider a comprehensive education plan to help me move into business analysis, what would you suggest as an adequate education plan? Would taking BA specific classes work, or should I go for a Master's degree? What types of classes do you suggest or what Master's degree paths should I consider to help me move into that role?
It depends greatly on your desires, likes, dislikes and future goals.
For example, have you ever considered getting a masters degree? If you wanted to get a masters degree anyway than that might be a good path for you. The next question would be whether you see yourself going towards the technical side or business side.
If you want to focus on technical solutions to business problems then you might consider a masters degree in information systems.
On the other hand, if you want to be working closer to the business side and focus on the operational and process aspects of the business the you might consider an MBA.
Regardless of the path, I strongly recommend that, in addition to one of those degrees (or even without one), you should take some of the business analysis specific courses offered by many of the training providers that specialize in business analysis training. These courses cover specific topics such as: requirements elicitation/analysis, requirements management/communication, requirements and solution modeling, etc.
Saddle,
First, I read somewhere that people with "liberal arts" degrees make better Business Analyst. So, you are off to a good start. This bit of news is not wasted on recruiters as you know. Google "liberal arts and business analyst " see http://www.silasg.com/jobs/emerging_business_analyst.php specifically note the last paragraph.
How can you use some of your drama skills? Some training companies use "actors" to be a client during their requirement capture phases to hone their studets interviewing skills. For example, you can be the client from hell, or the syruppie client who says yes to everything, or the client who just want to tell you "how" they do things, instead of "what" they do, or the client that bitches about others on the team, or the client that digresses to their favourite soccer team - now that could be quite an adventure for you. Its a "foot in the door"
In addition to the information already provided, I'd suggest that you find a local chapter of BAs (IIBA or otherwise) and attend some of the meetings and get togethers. I'm all for countinuing learning so I'd suggest that you find some tutorials online - there seems to be many on the net - that will help you in getting an understanding of business analysis. Attend short courses and mix with some BAs. Seek a mentor. I'm sure some of your clients would gladly mentor you, when you tell them about your goals of seeking entry into business analysis.
all the best.
warm regards,
K
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