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What majors should someone interested business analysts look into?

I was wondering what kind of courses should someone interested in business analysts take. #business #money #mathematics #money-management #analysts

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Steve’s Answer

I think the best business major is specialization in Finance. It's a weak area for most job applicants. You don't have to pursue a finance career but knowing how to work with numbers is a rare skill for most marketing and sales people, as well as product developers and engineers.

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Barbara’s Answer

As a business analyst in the information technology department of a large Life Insurance company, I find that communication skills, analysis skills, and problem-solving skills are basic skills for a career as a business analyst. The skills of a business analyst can be applied in several different types of industries. Finance, Insurance, and Information Technology are some large industries for business analysts. Also, data analytics is a quickly growing field with the large increase in data that companies are able to collect and analyze due to advances in information technology.

Barbara recommends the following next steps:

Some suggested next steps: visit websites for business analysts such as ModernAnalyst.com, BATimes.com, etc.; apply for an internship at a company in an industry that you are interested in.
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Matthew’s Answer

I will suggest a few possibilities based on the backgrounds of fellow business analysts I work with. The common theme is good analytical experience working with numbers. Additionally, some business knowledge is very helpful. Don't forget you can also get experience in clubs and other activities.


Economics,
Math,
Economics and Math,
Engineering, particularly operations research,
Finance

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Meena’s Answer

I'll advice based on the work Business Analysts do in IT industry. You need to have some basic understanding of how IT projects work, good writing and documentation skills, analytical skills, communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills are all important piece to it.


If you can take up management course and IT subjects, it will help you tremendously. You don't necessarily need to take up programming subjects, but other subjects less technical in nature will also help.


All the best!

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Kevin’s Answer

I think the answers that everyone have given are good!
Finance and Business Management would be good majors, but learning from as many related subjects, marketing, accounting, communications will help you.

Businesses and Business Analysis is complex and encompasses many different aspects.

I am a commercial credit analyst (I analyze business my bank lends to) to determine there capabilities to pay back the loans
As a result I have analyzed many different businesses, in many different fields, industries.

They each have unique variables and factors that impact their operations. learn, learn, learn there are so many things that go into understanding various businesses (Good Luck)
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Ed’s Answer

I agree with Finance and Economics are great choices but I lead a team of Business Analysts in my current role and one skill that I feel is lacking across the Financial sector is the ability to effectively communicate to people who don't deal with numbers every day. When I interview for open positions explaining the numbers/results is critical. I would suggest a minor in communications to anyone seeking a Finance degree - this will help set you apart from your competition!
Ed
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Aishwarya’s Answer

Being a successful Business Analyst means you have to have a variety of different skills and be adaptable to a changing environment. Every Business Analyst will bring their unique blend of skills and experience to the role, of course, but I’ve highlighted below what I think are the most common skills that a good BA will need,
1. Understand Your Objectives
2. Good Verbal Communication Skills
3. The Ability To Run Stakeholder Meetings
4. Be A Good Listener
5. Hone Your Presentation Skills
6. Be Excellent At Time Management
7. Documentation And Writing Skills
8. Stakeholder Management
9. Develop Your Modelling Skills
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Nicole’s Answer

Business, Finance, and Economics are some great fields to major in if interested in a business analyst career.

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sundara’s Answer

If you are good at communication and analytical skills, you have good prospects to become a successful business analyst. While the above two skills are foundational, it is better to get a good domain understanding of a particular industry like Banking, Insurance, Retail, Communication etc., in order to sustain and build a long term career. There are number of online websites like courseora.org, udemy etc.. where you can enroll yourself for a certificate program in business analysis.


However doing a certificate course to gain expertise in a particular type of industry is recommended.

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Michelle’s Answer

Management Science, Finance, Economics are common majors I've seen for business analysts. Understanding general project management and business operations is helpful in a BA role.
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