Need advice - aspiring business analyst

[TKD01]

Unfortunately a Business analyst is the front runner in terms of technology implementation. They are the heart and soul of the project,changing a companies process up,dealing with clients who do not want change,implementing solutions etc.
With all this in mind the paperwork is there as the CFO and CEO of companies will grill you.
Most of the time if not 99% you will be implementing a type of financial solution for a company(possibly a banking solution) and as such you will need to interpret financial data into something technology wise.

Definitely not. And I know more BA's in Retail and Insurance industries, than in financial...

A BA *should* be technology independent. But there is usually some overlap, and technical skills will come in use, but in the same fashion as a project manager should have an understanding of some technicalities.

Changing business processes does not focus on technology - and its exactly where most companies make the mistake! "Lets throw the latest expensive technology in there, hire some "expert consultants" and all our worries are gone" - big surprise! Exactly why so many expensive IT projects is failing!

 

[hellfire]

Wow, that's great to hear, thanks I wouldn't sell myself short if I were you, the most valuable thing I got from the course was simulated practical work. That and a mindset. I'd kill for practical exposure.

I have no delusions of starting off as anything other than a junior BA . However, I can't work for peanuts - my landlord isn't interested in my career aspirations and the related sacrifices... Which brings me to another question, dodgy surveys aside, do BA's get compensated well in reality? By well I mean in relation to their colleagues in PM/dev.

So there really is a shortage... What is it that you guys do?

BAs can earn very well. They are seen as essential to the business, and will earn similarly to PMs and developers with the same seniority.
There is a massive IT skills shortage in general in South Africa.

I'm in a very similar scenario - there's not much prospect for me here as a BA but I really like the company. Catch 22. How did you find your job? Why did you end up as a BA instead of an engineer? I have a friend who graduated in Industrial Engineering and is now looking to move into a BA-ish role, apparently a lot of Ind. Eng. guys do.

Engineers end up as anything. They are favorably looked upon by most non-engineering sectors as they have been trained to think in a certain way and are great problem solvers. As such, engineers often add much value to any position.

My company is recruiting so hard and fast it's scary. Our staff number is increasing faster than the fuel price. I have very specific experience that will land my CV on my HR manager's desk before the week is over. I do some hiring and I've lost faith in recruitment agents, so I can't risk it.

Can't risk what?

 

[Xanthus]

Can't risk what?

Posting my CV. I'm not actively looking for a BA job because (a) I'm not unhappy where I am, just uncertain about where my career is going and (b) I didn't know the things I found out in this thread

 

[hellfire]

Posting my CV. I'm not actively looking for a BA job because (a) I'm not unhappy where I am, just uncertain about where my career is going and (b) I didn't know the things I found out in this thread

Common problem, but you really need to try and establish career direction

 

[Xanthus]

Common problem, but you really need to try and establish career direction

True. Things are going well career-wise where I am now but in a direction I didn't plan. So confusing...

Do you guys enjoy your BA jobs? Is it what you thought it would be?