Hi Modern Analyst community!

I'm a newbie here and have enjoyed exploring the forums for advice and interesting knowledge on BA issues.  I'm currious as to whether anyone would have any advice for me and anything I'm missing/not doing in trying to develop my BA career.

I graduated from a New Zealand university with a solid B Average in Information Science (Database design) & Management in 2004.  I've travelled extensively since, which means my experience levels arent that high.  I had a decent Business Support Analyst/Data Administration/Analyst role for a finance company in London for 3years with widely ranging skills in data analysis and data integrity checking for system improvement purposes.  I also worked on a 4month contract recently coordinating a small business IT hardware audit for a future Windows 7 rollout.

My questions relate to what I should be doing now.  I'm currently living in Canada and eligible for a 12month work permit, probably doesnt help career progression being limited to 12months at this stage at least, but however - i'm still here.  I've been looking at any roles from data or information analyst, Junior project manager or coordinator and even technology analyst consultant. It seems my limitation aside from my visa is alsoa a lack of SQL server experience.

I'm trying my best to be open minded and flexible - but I really need to land myself something that is really going to give me the experience and boost my career desperately needs.  Would anyone have any advice on anything from types of jobs I should be applying for,  (relatively inexpensive) courses or training I should look into, Or simply reading/study materials that could help?

Any advice from you guys would be a great help - or a mental boost at the least!

Thanks!! :-)

Hi Larimar,

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and reply to my post! I hadnt realised SQL Express was a free download - i'll definitely look into using this! I'm currently located in Vancouver and able to work for the next 12months with options to possibly extend my visa.  I can also understand why HR would be hesitant to hire for this reason, so like you say, I have been focusing on 6-12month assignments.  Though the downfall with these are the smaller the project duration the more demanding they are on experience and skill needs etc.

I'll keep on the job hunt though and hopefully something will come up! In the meantime I'll start working on my SQL server skills etc.

Thanks again.