How to Become a Business Analyst and What Skills are Needed?

Organizations worldwide are hiring professionals who can use business data to make better decisions and fine-tune processes. Not surprisingly, business analytics is a high-demand career option. According to Fortune magazine, a survey found that 86% of corporate recruiters planned to hire graduates with a master’s degree in business analytics in 2022. While it is a challenging role and needs specific skill sets, there are several ways to enter this field. Let’s talk about how to become a business analyst but, first, a quick understanding of what business analytics means. 

What is Business Analytics?

Simply put, it is when quantitative methods are used to solve an organization’s issues and drive change. You can get an in-depth explanation of what is business analytics here. 

What Exactly Does a Business Analyst Do?

Business analysts draw valuable and meaningful insights from data to enhance organizational performance and use those to establish practices that increase business value. Learn more about what a business analyst does, to determine if this is a career path you’re interested in. 

What are the Most Exciting Business Analytics Careers?

There are different roles you can take on in the field of business analytics. 

1. Business Analyst Managers manage a team of business analysts and monitor the budget and project timelines.
2. Functional Analysts focus on the technical advancement of an organization’s models and procedures. 
3. Data Analysis Scientists draw conclusions and insights from available data.
4. Quantitative Analysts build and implement mathematical models to support financial decisions.

How to Become a Business Analyst?

1. Get the Education Needed

The minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or engineering. A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is useful for higher-level positions. 

2. Develop the Required Skills

a. Technical Skills

This includes data visualization, database analysis, systems and frameworks, and a grasp of standard operating systems, programming languages, and software testing. 

b. Non-technical Skills 

Problem-solving ability to manage challenges is vital as are effective communication skills since you are expected to interact with different teams and simplify complex concepts for them. 

3. Consider Online Courses and Bootcamps 

Signing up for an online business analytics course or a bootcamp will keep you up-to-date in the constantly-evolving field of business analytics. You can explore the courses available on Emeritus.

4. Work on Projects with Real Data and Apply for Entry-level Jobs

Gain relevant practical experience by applying for entry-level positions like an intern or junior business analyst. This will help you go beyond theory.

5. Build your Business Analytics Portfolio

You can build a strong portfolio by acquiring a relevant degree and work experience, signing up for courses, and undertaking projects that reflect your various skill sets.

6. Connect with Industry Experts and a Mentor

Networking with industry experts can be highly beneficial. It broadens your horizons and allows you to grow. You may also meet potential mentors along the way.

What are the Most Important Business Analyst Skills?

Here are the skills that matter while learning how to become a business analyst.

1. Data Visualization

Breaking down data into numbers and patterns to make it easy for everyone to interpret and uncover insights. 

2. Data Collection

Knowing different ways to collect data is integral to business analytics.

3. Other Technical Skills 

It helps to be skilled in software development. 

4. Analytical Skills 

Have the ability to analyze data, documents, user input surveys, and workflows. 

5. Managerial Skills 

The ability to manage people is important because you will be taking care of business transformations, and planning the scope of numerous projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How To Find an Entry-level Job in Business Analytics?

You can browse job listing websites like Indeed and LinkedIn to apply for entry-level jobs. 

2. What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a Business Analyst?

A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level jobs and a master of business administration (MBA) for more advanced positions.

3. Is It Hard To Become a Business Analyst?

It’s moderately hard to become a business analyst. You should have soft and technical skills and the proper education to become a successful business analyst.

4. Does Business Analytics Require Coding?

No. Coding is a good-to-have skill but it is not mandatory. 

5. Can a Business Analyst Work From Home?

Yes, because a large part of the work involves analyzing and visualizing data.

We hope you now have a better understanding of how to become a business analyst. As a next step, you can explore Emeritus’ online business analytics certificate courses here.

Write to us at content@emeritus.org