[Become a BA #4] You Can Have a Fulfilling BA Career and a Future

Career changes represent significant investments in time and energy. In this instructional video, Professor Herminia Ibarr at INSEAD and 13-year Harvard Business School faculty member, said that an average career change takes three years.

(She also shares some great tips for those making career changes, based on in depth research with other career changers. View the entire video.)

Wow. Three years is a heck of a long time.

Before deciding to make the investment to become a business analyst, it makes sense to ask yourself, “Is it worth it?”

You might be looking for a creative outlet to unleash your problem solving potential. And if so, business analysis is likely a good career fit. But what are the prospects for business analysts?

As a talented professional with the desire to make a positive contribution, the last thing you’d want to do is spend three years investing in a change that leads you to a dead end.

The Benefits of Being a Business Analyst

Some professionals are attracted to business analysis because of the relatively high salary. According to the recent BA salary survey, the average BA in the US makes $82,493, nearly double the median household income.

Still others see business analysis as a way out of the rat race. Development roles require continuous upgrading of technical skills and certifications and the pace of change only becomes faster the farther you move up the career ladder.

In How to Start a Business Analyst Career, Doug Goldberg told us:

“I like the fact that BA work does not change as fast as software development but that I am continuously learning.”

And, while we are seeing a growing number of development and quality assurance roles being outsourced, business analysis roles tend to be kept in-house. When you are solving the organization’s most critical business problems, there is just no replacement for tight communication with someone vested in your business.

OK, so business analysis is a great career to get into. But what about when I’m ready to move on or move up? Will my business analyst background help my future career prospects?

The Career Prospects of a Business Analyst

Five or ten years ago, the common career advice was that to be promoted as a business analyst, you should become a project manager. Today, the BA to PM path is still legitimate. But so is the reverse. Professionals like Kent McDonald are transitioning from senior-level project management careers to business analysis. This is a sign that the role is in a much different state than it was a few years ago.

Project management is no longer the only possibility.

When you think about it, the logical career progression for a business analyst is “CEO” (an idea I stole from IIBA CEO Kathleen Barret).  And it’s definitely true that the skills you learn and the competencies you strengthen as a business analyst create the possibility for a strong future.

Check out some of the senior level business analyst roles and also the roles just beyond business analysis.

Your next step

“What’s in it for you?” is one of the most important questions you can answer. Your next step is to envision yourself as a business analyst and imagine what your future as a business analyst will be like. Do you want to follow this career path all the way up to CEO? Do you want first dibs on the most exciting projects because of your excellent track record as a BA? Do you want to be working at a strategic level or given the license to work through all the potentially overlooked details on your projects?

Your answer will be your own. I can give you the ideas and lay out the possibilities, but the future you claim is yours. You’ll know you’ve got this when you start to get more excited about the possibilities than you are frustrated about the obstacles.

Hop on over to the Starting a BA Career LinkedIn group and share your thoughts.

In the next lesson we’re going to dive right into building experiences. Having a clear picture of the BA you will become will help you select the right experiences and be ready to walk into your next meeting in the business analyst frame of mind. Although I know it’s tempting, don’t shirk on this lesson.

As always, wishing you the best in business analysis.

Best,

Laura Brandenburg

• Your Host, Bridging the Gap
• Your Instructor, My Business Analysis Career

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***Get here from a link from a friend, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter? This lesson is part 4 of a 9-part free email course on becoming a business analyst. Learn more about it and sign up here.