How to Start Your Career as a Business Analyst
A business analyst career can bring you plentiful job opportunities, lucrative salaries, an excellent work-life balance, and a higher job satisfaction rate when compared to other business professions. So if you are thinking about making a career change or are looking for a suitable career path, becoming a business analyst can pave your way to endless possibilities. All aspects of business team operations in every possible industry require a business analyst, and that can be you.
Let us delve deeper into this career domain and uncover where to start becoming a business analyst. This guide focuses on business analyst qualifications, salary, career goals, and objectives, all of which can lead your way to a lucrative career choice.
Business Analyst Career Roadmap
Step 1. Get a bachelor’s degree (preferably in quantitative or analytical fields such as data science, computer science, statistics, economics, finance, or information management)
Step 2. Get a master’s degree (preferably in business administration or any relevant higher specialized degree in a quantitative field)
Step 3. Earn specialized professional development certifications
Senior Business Analyst Career Path
Business Analyst Goals and Objectives
Senior business analysts are responsible for analyzing and monitoring large-scale business processes to chalk out strategies that enhance efficiency. These professionals also evaluate the technical aspects of any business problem that may crop up, and devise suitable business solutions intuitively.
Business Analyst Qualifications and Courses
These professionals have strict qualification requirements, which include a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, I.T., or a relevant field, business process modeling training along with certification (preferable), suitable Access and Microsoft Visio skills, proficiency in M.S. Office, exceptional communication skills, multitasking ability, leadership skills, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.
Top Universities for Business Analyst Degree
Several universities offer degrees that can help build up to a career as a senior business analyst, with the top institutes being the following:
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Northwestern University
Business Systems Analyst Salaries and Growth
According to Indeed.com, a senior business analyst makes an average of $99,224 a year.
Business Systems Analyst Career Path
Business Systems Analyst Goals and Objectives
A business systems analyst helps an organization determine the best ways to use existing technology and integrate new ones into existing systems. A business analyst’s career goals may revolve around accomplishing the following tasks:
- Implementing and testing technology solutions
- Conducting an in-depth analysis of customer needs and relevant data
- Identifying areas for improvement
- Conducting research
- Collecting stakeholder requirements
- Jotting down technical requirements and designing solutions
- Offering support and training to users
- Recommending the best possible I.T. practices
Business Systems Analyst Qualifications and Courses
Building a career as a business systems analyst requires a relevant bachelor’s and master’s degree, generally in a field related to business administration, computer science, information technology, finance, economics, or management information systems.
Top Universities for Business Systems Analyst Degree
Following are the three top universities that offer a master’s degree in fields that can help you climb the ladder to a lucrative business system analyst position.
- The Heriot-Watt University’s School of Social Sciences offers an MSc in Social and Behavioural Research Methods.
- The University of Greenwich’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences offers an MSc in Computing and Information Systems.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers an Online Master of Information Technology.
Business Systems Analyst Salaries and Growth
According to Glassdoor, a business analyst’s salary in the United States is around $97,065. But a bachelor’s degree alone cannot make you touch the highest salary strata, which is why a master’s degree is critical in this field.
Business Intelligence Analyst Career Path
Business Intelligence Analyst Goals and Objectives
A business intelligence analyst is responsible for collaborating with clients to identify their concerns and needs and perform a variety of other tasks, such as the following:
- Extracting and gathering warehouse data through querying techniques for reporting
- Conducting information-gathering interviews to attain feedback from customers and clients
- Employing software applications to analyze current data
- Supervise the accurate implementation of technological initiatives
- Forward recommendations to senior management regarding ways to elevate efficiency
- Compose summary reports concerning a company’s current standing
Business Intelligence Analyst Qualifications, Courses, Growth
A business intelligence analyst undertakes several different business analyst courses quite similar to other business analyst streams, but their national average salary stands at a median point of $91,074 per year, with the highest and lowest points being $182,000 and $31,000 per year, respectively.
Top Universities for Business Intelligence Analyst Degree
Some of the top universities that offer degree programs relevant to this career path include the following:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management amalgamates its expertise with support from the MIT Operations Research Center to offer a Master of Business Intelligence.
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Information Systems Management: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics is a blended program standing on the intersection of management, data analytics, strategy, and I.T.
- The University of Texas at Austin offers a Master of Science in Business Intelligence built on consumer behavior, statistics, mathematics, risk management, and decision theory.
Business Process Analyst Career Path
Business Process Analyst Goals and Objectives
Business process analysts enjoy a high demand to combat the augmentation of digital transformation. These professionals specialize in designing, analyzing, and applying business strategies to kickstart change, especially when introducing new procedures and policies. Their job description typically covers the following responsibilities:
- Documenting business process modeling activities
- Analyzing internal workflows, employee needs, and business processes
- Analyzing and interpreting business metrics for relevant stakeholders
- Processing reengineering projects by supervising in-depth business analysis
Business Process Analyst Qualifications and Courses
A business process analyst career path generally requires a bachelor’s degree in business management or a relevant program, along with the ability to demonstrate distinguished knowledge, experience, and skill in professional contexts. But a bachelor’s degree can only get you through an entry-level position while a master’s degree in a relevant field, along with necessary certifications, can lead you to new heights of success.
Top Universities for Business Process Analyst Degree
The best universities to research in this field of study include the following:
- Northwestern University
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
Business Process Analyst Salaries and Growth
Job positions for business process analysts are expected to grow by 11% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), statistics which are quite faster than the average across all occupations. Business process analysts earned a median annual wage of $87,660 in May 2020, with the top 10% making about $156,840
Business Data Analyst Career Path
Business Data Analyst Goals and Objectives
A business data analyst plays a major role in business analytics projects and processes to offer data-driven insights into business performance. These professionals are also responsible for the following:
- Developing strategies for future business initiatives and operational improvements
- Applying analytical methodologies, statistical methods, data analysis, and modeling to support and inform decision making
- Developing an understanding of business objectives, business models, challenges, and issues
- Collaborating and interacting with stakeholders and users
Business Data Analyst Qualifications and Courses
Business data analysts generally require a bachelor’s degree in statistics, finance, or any other quantitative field, along with 2-4 years of relevant experience.
Top Universities for Business Data Analyst Degree
Our top univeristy choices for a Business Data Analyst degree that you should consider when applying are as follows:
- Massachusetts Insititute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Pennsylvania
Business Data Analyst Salaries and Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business process analysts are in high demand, with their job positions expected to grow by 11% between 2019 and 2029, significantly faster than all other occupations. As of May 2020, business process analysts earned an average annual salary of $87,660, with the highest 10% earning more than $156,840 every year.
Amazon Business Analyst Career Path
Amazon Business Analyst Goals and Objectives
Some of the Amazon Business Analyst career goals and objectives include finding the right data to forecast the project path and required deliverables.
An Amazon business analyst’s job objectives typically revolve around the following responsibilities:
- Chalk out and maintain Operational Metrics forecasts
- Develop analysis reports on Project, New Initiatives, and Strategic Decisions
- Track project issues, acceptance criteria, concerns, and deliverables
- Undertake data-mining and analysis by employing tools such as MySQL, SQL, OBIEE, MS Excel, Oracle BI, and Cognos
- Participate in professional and industry networks to ensure information and awareness of industry trends, standards, and best practices
Amazon Business Analyst Qualifications and Courses
These professionals must also hold business metrics formulation skills for data visualization, apt knowledge of SQL and Microsoft Excel, exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, and outstanding organizational skills.
Top Universities for Amazon Business Analyst Degree
Becoming an Amazon business analyst comes with particular educational requirements, including a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, statistics, and other relevant fields, along with more than three years of experience. But a master’s degree in a relevant field is a compulsion to climb up the corporate ladder in this field, and the following universities stand as the best options:
- MIT ranks first for its Master of Business Analytics, which amalgamates modern scientific data with a quest to uncover solutions for critical business challenges.
- Austin McCombs School of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics, which includes courses that can build a solid foundation for this career path.
- USC Marshall School of Business offers a Master of Science in Business Analytics with relevant courses in this field.
Amazon Business Analyst Salaries and Growth
According to Glassdoor, an Amazon business analyst’s salary ranges between $123,000 – $187,000 per year, with the median annual salary standing at $150,345 per year. Their estimated additional pay, which may include commission, bonus, stock, profit sharing, or tips, is around $39,252 per year.
Although BLS does not explicitly mention the growth potential of Amazon business analysts, it estimates a 9% increase in the job outlook for financial analysts between 2021 and 2031.
Business Development Analyst Career Path
Business Development Analyst Goals and Objectives
A business development analyst delivers solutions that enable organizational change and maximize stakeholder value. These professionals bridge the gap between business teams and I.T. professionals to root out requirements, evaluate processes, and generate reports for stakeholders and executives. Their job responsibilities include the following:
- Collecting business requirements from stakeholders and clients
- Identifying a business’s objectives and coming up with logical solutions for potential problems
- Providing feedback on software application layouts
- Interact with the development team to come up with solutions for particular problems
- Conduct meetings with clients and stakeholders to discuss solutions to joint problems
Business Development Analyst Qualifications and Courses
A career as a business development analyst comes with strict education and professional requirements, including a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business development, or other relevant fields, along with a Master of business administration degree (MBA). These professionals also require prior experience as a business development analyst and established skills in CRM software, such as SalesForce and ProWorkflow, and business management. They must also hold specialized knowledge of business development and sales strategies and be able to identify potential clients and profitable business opportunities.
Top Universities for Business Development Analyst Degree
The best universities that can help you pursue a career as a business development analyst include the following:
- Northwestern University
- University of Pennsylvania
- New York University
Business Development Analyst Salaries and Growth
Job positions for business development analysts are expected to grow by 11% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), statistics which are quite faster than the average across all occupations. Business development analysts earned a median annual wage of $87,660 in May 2020, with the top 10% making about $156,840.
Technical Business Analyst Career Path
Technical Business Analyst Goals and Objectives
Technical business analysts are professionals responsible for collecting acceptance criteria and requirements for new projects, documenting technical requirements, undertaking systems testing, and documenting technical requirements.
Technical Business Analyst Qualifications, Growth, Salaries
So if you are looking to pursue this career path, it is necessary to opt for a bachelor’s degree in commerce, information technology, or computer science and ensure proficiency in the basics of computer programming languages, such as Python and Structured Query Language. Their salary range is the same as that of business development analysts and related professionals which range a median annual wage of $87,660 in May 2020, with the top 10% making about $156,840.
Top Universities for Technical Business Analyst Degree
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management amalgamates its expertise with support from the MIT Operations Research Center to offer a Master of Business Intelligence.
- Georgia Institute of Technology ranks 3rd in Business Analytics and 26th in Best Business School, with the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Institute of Technology offering courses highly beneficial path.
- Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Information Systems Management: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics is a blended program standing on the intersection of management, data analytics, strategy, and I.T.
How to Start a Business Analyst Career?
Becoming a business analyst does not come with a linear career path, but there are a few benchmarks you need to achieve. Some of these are as follows:
Attain a Relevant Business Analyst Degree
Go for a degree that can offer you a solid foundation as a business analyst. This may include a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration, accounting, and finance. But that does not mean you cannot pursue a career as a business analyst if you hold a degree in a different field.
Gain Computer-Programming Knowledge
It is pivotal for a business analyst to hold a basic understanding of computer programming that can help with data analysis. You can easily attain these skills through I.T. training and certification, both of which are even available online.
Get Relevant Work Experience
You cannot embark on the path to becoming a successful business analyst without relevant work experience. You can do so by doing an internship with a small company, gradually building up to an entry-level position in a company where you can take on real-world responsibilities and assist with a professional business analyst’s tasks.
Go For A Business Analyst Certification
A business analyst certification is one of the most suitable ways of kickstarting your career. Such certification can help you gain all the necessary advanced skills in business data analytics, project management, database analytics, predictive analytics, and operations research. Not only can they augment your professional standing as a potential employee, but they can also help you step up the game and advance to a position better than your current one.
Conclusion
Becoming a business analyst is undoubtedly a good career choice if you are a business, finance, and economics enthusiast. With generous salaries prospects, job security, and a supportive marketplace, this career path offers it all.
But the path to becoming a business analyst is lined with attaining a suitable bachelors and masters degree, preferably in quantitative and analytical fields, and accumulating necessary professional experience and skills. It may sound overwhelming, but with the right concoction of hard work and determination, there is nothing stopping you from landing a lucrative business analyst career.
More Business Management Degrees and Careers
Is a Business Analyst a Good Career Choice?
Is a Sports Management College Degree for Undergraduates a Good Choice
Everything You Need for Becoming a Forensic Accountant
Sports Management Degree vs. Sports Analytics Degree: Which is Better?