{"id":11801,"date":"2022-03-29T10:26:05","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T17:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/?p=11801"},"modified":"2025-04-23T01:22:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:22:19","slug":"how-to-become-a-business-analyst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become a Business Analyst [2025 Career Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The role of a business analyst has come a long way since the late 1970s when a business analyst was responsible for converting analog, paper-based data into digital information. Today\u2019s business analysts use cutting-edge tools to wrangle big data and generate meaningful insights. Business analysts need to understand how businesses function, and the ways in which data can improve them. For that reason, it\u2019s an important role within most corporate structures, and those in this position often bridge the gap between a corporation\u2019s business and software teams<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this post, we\u2019re going to answer all of the questions you might have about a business analyst\u2019s job. We\u2019re also going to go over the business analyst career trajectory and how you can chart your own path through this industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Business Analyst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Business analysts study the available data, generating insights that can help their organization. They analyze an organization\u2019s documents and work processes to uncover patterns, weak points, and anomalies. Then, they apply both problem-solving and technical skills to generate insights that drive business decision-making. Business analysts are agents of change, and as it\u2019s often said in business if you aren\u2019t growing, you\u2019re dying. Business analysts examine an organization\u2019s processes and then use data to find ways to optimize them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business analysts can specialize in business development, business model analysis, process design, or system analysis. While all of these positions are critical to a business\u2019s success, some industries demand specific expertise. For instance, a system analyst is responsible for bridging the gap between their business problems and the available solutions, making this role crucial in the tech industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does a Business Analyst Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in business analytics requires considerable experience in managing and forecasting your company\u2019s financial situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business analysts often start by studying their company&#8217;s industry. This helps them understand the standards in that industry, and gives them the ability to benchmark their own company\u2019s performance against competitors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, they start to analyze the systems and processes in place at their own organization. If these processes are analog in nature, then they identify KPIs and find ways to express their performance in terms of data, so that they can study these systems computationally and recommend enhancements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the job of a business analyst is to recommend changes so that a company\u2019s processes can be improved. These could be improvements to granular processes or interactions within the company. Or, these changes could be larger, structural shifts that overhaul how a company works in a definitive fashion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u200c\u200cIf you\u2019re looking to become a business analyst, you can expect to be doing some of the following on regular basis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supervising the implementation of new technological systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working with internal and external stakeholders to upgrade tech systems and work models<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offering data-backed advice on how to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and revenue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analyzing historical data to understand a company\u2019s current standing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Holding and supervising workshops and training sessions to introduce new tech systems and workflow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Get Into Analytics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we know what a business analyst does, let\u2019s find out how to become one, and how to land a job in the industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business Analyst Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business Acumen<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It is impossible to succeed as a business analyst if you understand the business fundamentals, such as finance, strategy, operations, and human resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to build your business acumen, start by reading the business news. You\u2019ll soon learn about current events in different industries, and who calls the shots at various companies. To further your knowledge, you can read books about business analysts. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iiba.org\/career-resources\/a-business-analysis-professionals-foundation-for-success\/babok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business Analysis Body of Knowledge<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pearson.com\/us\/higher-education\/program\/Robertson-Business-Analysis-Agility-Solve-the-Real-Problem-Deliver-Real-Value\/PGM1952346.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Business Analysis Agility<\/a> are good places to start.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to understand your own company&#8217;s functioning. You can ask colleagues from the finance department to walk you through financial statements, so you can learn how balance sheets and cash flows work. Attending quarterly earnings calls can provide important information on how your company is performing and what key metrics you should be tracking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you aren\u2019t employed in an organization where this is possible, you can choose any large business and comb through their publicly available information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Analytics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>What differentiates business analysts from business administrators is their ability to collect and process data. So if you want to be a business analyst, it\u2019s important that you\u2019re familiar with working with data and thinking about how it can contribute to the business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are plenty of resources to check out if you\u2019re getting started with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/what-is-data-analytics\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/what-is-data-analytics\/\">data analytics<\/a>. This list recommends some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tableau.com\/learn\/articles\/books-about-data-science-beginners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best books for beginner<\/a> data analysts. There are also<a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/free-data-analytics-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> free data analytics courses<\/a> available for business analysts looking to build a foundation in data analysis. When choosing a course, make sure that you pick one that fits your mode of learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business Analysis Methodologies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have a grasp of business fundamentals and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/courses\/introduction-to-analytics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">data analysis<\/a>, you\u2019ll already have the foundations of business analytics methodologies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysts employ different frameworks and methodologies, depending on the task at hand. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re studying how customers move through the sales funnel. In that case, you would use the Customer Life Cycle approach, which looks at how different customer segments behave in different stages of the sales funnel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a business analyst, methodologies like correlation analysis, predictive analytics, and segmentation should all be part of your arsenal. The best way to learn is by taking real-world examples and seeing how you can apply a particular methodology to solve a problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say a company introduces a new product. You could task yourself with using predictive analytics to forecast the sales of that product. The goal is to practice using the right process to arrive at your conclusions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Storytelling and Communication Skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As noted earlier, business analysts are often the bridge between the software and business teams, which means that you have to possess <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-science\/data-science-skills\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-science\/data-science-skills\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">soft skills<\/a> to act as a liaison.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two skills will come in handy here. The first is being able to give compelling presentations. You don\u2019t need to focus too much on great design or aesthetics; the goal is effective communication. Working on your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career-advice\/career-development\/tips-on-how-to-be-a-good-presenter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">skills as a presenter<\/a> can help you communicate with all of the involved stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also important to include compelling visualizations in your presentations. Without charts and graphs, people who don\u2019t work with data might not glean insights from a certain set of numbers or tabular data means.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Landing Your First Job<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adjust Your Resume<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/landing-your-first-job.png\" alt=\"How to become a business analyst: Landing Your First Job\" class=\"wp-image-16961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/landing-your-first-job.png 800w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/landing-your-first-job-380x236.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/landing-your-first-job-380x236.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a job as a business analyst, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/career-advice\/9-tips-for-creating-a-stand-out-tech-resume\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resume needs to reflect that<\/a> you\u2019ve got the desire and skills to work in the industry. Business analysts with an academic background in a business or software field should highlight that in their resume. Start with your education and list the classes that you\u2019ve taken that are relevant to business analysis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-taught business analysts should emphasize <a href=\"https:\/\/intellipaat.com\/blog\/business-analytics-project-ideas-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the projects<\/a> that they\u2019ve worked on, and include a portfolio. Talk about the goals of each project and how you solved the core problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build Connections With Hiring Managers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Connect with hiring managers on LinkedIn and other professional social media sites when you\u2019re looking for a job. If you don\u2019t know any yet, you can start by identifying companies that are hiring business analysts. Then, connect with their hiring managers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should do this because it puts you on their radar. Some recruiters look for candidates on LinkedIn, and your chances of being spotted are higher if you\u2019ve connected with them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can maximize your chances of landing a job this way by optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that you mention business analysis in your list of skills. You could also write your LinkedIn headline to convey that you\u2019re looking for an entry-level position in business analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"bg-leaf-50 p-4 my-3\"><h4 class=\"fw-bold text-center\">Get To Know Other\tData Analytics Students<\/h4><div class=\"row row-cols-1 row-cols-lg-3\"><div class=\"col\"><div class=\"card success-story-card h-100 d-flex justify-content-between mb-0\"><div class=\"flex-grow-1 text-center\"><a class=\"d-inline-block rounded-circle\" href=\"\/success\/reagan-tatsch\" style=\"width:125px;height:125px;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/springboard-images\/image\/upload\/v1629203194\/Student%20Success\/Reagan_Tatsch_125x125.png\" alt=\"Reagan Tatsch\" style=\"object-fit:contain;max-width:170px;height:125px\" \/><\/a><p class=\"fw-bold mb-0\">Reagan Tatsch<\/p><p class=\"text-muted lh-1\">Data Operations Manager at ISS<\/p><\/div><div class=\"w-100 d-block d-md-none mt-3\"><\/div><p class=\"mb-0 mx-auto text-center\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary mx-auto\" href=\"\/success\/reagan-tatsch\">Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"col d-none d-md-block\"><div class=\"card success-story-card h-100 d-flex justify-content-between mb-0\"><div class=\"flex-grow-1 text-center\"><a class=\"d-inline-block rounded-circle\" href=\"\/success\/cana-curtis\" style=\"width:125px;height:125px;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/springboard-images\/image\/upload\/v1682910063\/Cana_Curtis_profile.jpg\" alt=\"Cana Curtis\" style=\"object-fit:contain;max-width:170px;height:125px\" \/><\/a><p class=\"fw-bold mb-0\">Cana Curtis<\/p><p class=\"text-muted lh-1\">Research Analyst at Virginia Commonwealth University<\/p><\/div><p class=\"mb-0 mx-auto text-center\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary mx-auto\" href=\"\/success\/cana-curtis\">Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"col d-none d-md-block\"><div class=\"card success-story-card h-100 d-flex justify-content-between mb-0\"><div class=\"flex-grow-1 text-center\"><a class=\"d-inline-block rounded-circle\" href=\"\/success\/bart-teeuwen\" style=\"width:125px;height:125px;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/springboard-images\/image\/upload\/v1633015812\/Bart_Teeuwen_125x125.png\" alt=\"Bart Teeuwen\" style=\"object-fit:contain;max-width:170px;height:125px\" \/><\/a><p class=\"fw-bold mb-0\">Bart Teeuwen<\/p><p class=\"text-muted lh-1\">Global Business Analyst, Global Talent Intelligence (GTI) at Meta<\/p><\/div><p class=\"mb-0 mx-auto text-center\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary mx-auto\" href=\"\/success\/bart-teeuwen\">Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Your Foot in the Door With a Related Job<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you aren\u2019t able to land a job as a business analyst, you can start in other roles in the software industry, and then move into your preferred role when the opportunity comes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since business analysts have skills in both business and software, you can apply for jobs such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/what-does-data-analyst-do\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/what-does-data-analyst-do\/\">data analyst<\/a>, business administration, and project manager. Gaining experience in these fields is good for your resume, and you can move into a business analyst role when the opportunity arises.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Can You Make as a Business Analyst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Entry-Level Business Analyst<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Glassdoor, entry-level business analysts make an average annual base pay of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.co.in\/Salaries\/us-entry-level-business-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,31.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$55,800<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"966\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/entry-level-business-analyst-salary-.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17069\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/entry-level-business-analyst-salary-.png 966w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/entry-level-business-analyst-salary--380x86.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/entry-level-business-analyst-salary--380x86.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 966px) 100vw, 966px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mid-Level Business Analyst<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mid-level business analysts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ziprecruiter.com\/Salaries\/Mid-Level-Business-Analyst-Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">make $87,695<\/a> per year on average, which comes out to $42 per hour. The 75th percentile of this group makes $100,000 a year on average.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"802\" height=\"504\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-mid-level-business-analyst-salary.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-mid-level-business-analyst-salary.png 802w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-mid-level-business-analyst-salary-380x239.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-mid-level-business-analyst-salary-380x239.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Senior Business Analyst Salary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The average salary for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/how-to-become-a-senior-business-analyst\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/how-to-become-a-senior-business-analyst\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">senior business analysts<\/a> in the USA is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/Salaries\/senior-business-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$114,548<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"802\" height=\"497\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-senior-level-business-analyst-salary..png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-senior-level-business-analyst-salary..png 802w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-senior-level-business-analyst-salary.-380x235.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/how-to-become-a-business-analyst-senior-level-business-analyst-salary.-380x235.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Become a Business Analyst in 7 Easy Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-howto\" class=\"rank-math-block\" >\n<div class=\"rank-math-howto-description\">\n\n<\/div>\n\n<ol class=\"rank-math-steps \">\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359436595\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Build a Strong Foundation in Business Analysis Fundamentals<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359461102\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Take a Course or Get Certified<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359471411\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Work on Projects<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359480582\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Create a Killer Business Analytics Portfolio<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359490520\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Study Data Visualization<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359498961\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Find a Mentor<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"howto-step-1667359506985\" class=\"rank-math-step\">\n<p class=\"rank-math-step-title \">Network Regularly<\/p>\n<div class=\"rank-math-step-content \"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build a Strong Foundation in Business Analysis Fundamentals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Business analysis requires both technical skills and business acumen, so take your time learning the ins and outs of those disciplines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a Course or Get Certified<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.projectpro.io\/article\/sample-business-analyst-real-time-projects-examples\/527\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">don\u2019t have four years to spend on a degree<\/a>, then you can quickly gain credentials by completing a course or certification. Here\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/business-analytics-certificates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">list of business analysis certifications<\/a> that will look good on your resume.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work on Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to work under the auspices of a company to work on business analysis projects. There are plenty of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.projectpro.io\/article\/sample-business-analyst-real-time-projects-examples\/527\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">beginner project ideas<\/a> out there, which you can do yourself. Make sure that you document your process, and keep a record of your problem-solving approach, so that you can mention those in your portfolio. Speaking of a portfolio\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a Killer Business Analytics Portfolio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/create-a-killer-business-analytics-portfolio.png\" alt=\"Create a Killer Business Analytics Portfolio\" class=\"wp-image-16963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/create-a-killer-business-analytics-portfolio.png 800w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/create-a-killer-business-analytics-portfolio-380x236.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/create-a-killer-business-analytics-portfolio-380x236.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Your portfolio should show all of the projects you\u2019ve worked on, and list the tools, skills, and programming languages you used to solve a particular problem. If you\u2019re just beginning as a business analyst, then a good portfolio can set you apart from the competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Study Data Visualization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an oft-overlooked aspect of the business analyst role. You need to know how to visualize data effectively so that you can communicate your insights to your colleagues and interpret your findings yourself. Here\u2019s a tutorial that shows you how to create data visualizations in Tableau. You can apply the same approach to a tool of your choosing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find a Mentor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a young business analyst, it helps to have a mentor. Mentors can advise you on your career path and provide more specific feedback on your portfolio.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find a mentor at your current place of work, or on a site like LinkedIn. Reach out to them with a specific ask about the kind of mentorship that you require. It will probably take a few conversations before you can find someone who has the time and matches your needs, so stay patient through the process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Network Regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/network-regularly.png\" alt=\"Network Regularly\" class=\"wp-image-16964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/network-regularly.png 800w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/network-regularly-380x236.png 380w, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/network-regularly-380x236.png 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Networking can keep you abreast of happenings in the industry, which will help you land a job. You can grow your network by connecting with business analysts and others in the ecosystem directly via email or on LinkedIn. There are also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BusinessAnalystCommunity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">virtual groups on Facebook<\/a> and other social networking sites where you can meet others in the industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business Analytics FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Become a Business Analyst With No Experience?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it is possible to get a job as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/data-analytics\/how-to-become-business-analyst-no-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">business analyst if you don\u2019t yet have experience<\/a>. You can start with a course or certification. Follow that by building a portfolio of personal projects, which you can put on your resume when applying for jobs. Don\u2019t forget to network in the industry and build relationships with recruiters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Become a Business Analyst Without a Degree?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While it helps to have a business or computer sciences degree, you can land a business analyst job without one. Recruiters place importance on things like online courses and personal projects, both of which can help you in your business analyst job hunt if you don\u2019t have a degree.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Business Analytics a Good Career?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in business analytics can be both rewarding and lucrative. The job gives you the opportunity to learn how a business functions, and how to effect changes that can transform it. And, the job market for the field is expected to grow more than 14% between 2016 and 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are the Career Opportunities in the Analytics Industry?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several different career opportunities for those who want to work in analytics. That includes data analytics, data science, machine learning engineering, database administration, and market analytics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rm has-background\" style=\"background-color:#efeff6\"><strong>Since you\u2019re here\u2026<br><\/strong>Interested in a career in data analytics? You will be after scanning this <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/resources\/guides\/data-analytics-salaries\/\" target=\"_blank\">data analytics salary guide<\/a>. When you\u2019re serious about getting a job, look into our 40-hour <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/courses\/introduction-to-analytics\/\" target=\"_blank\">Intro to Data Analytics Course<\/a> for total beginners, or our mentor-led <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/courses\/data-analytics-career-track\/\" target=\"_blank\">Data Analytics Bootcamp<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The role of a business analyst has come a long way since the late 1970s when a business analyst was responsible for converting analog, paper-based data into digital information. Today\u2019s business analysts use cutting-edge tools to wrangle big data and generate meaningful insights. Business analysts need to understand how businesses function, and the ways in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":16956,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_eb_data_table":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[134],"tags":[],"marketing_tags":[1464],"class_list":{"0":"post-11801","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-data-analytics"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11801"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/100"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11801"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56565,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11801\/revisions\/56565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11801"},{"taxonomy":"marketing_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/marketing_tags?post=11801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}