Learn how to pursue a career as a Business Analyst without a degree, covering the necessary skills, experience, and portfolio building strategies. Understand the significance of business analytics, hard and soft skills required, and how to gain practical experience using tools like Tableau, SQL, and Excel.
Key Insights
- Though a bachelor's degree is typically required for Business Analysts, it doesn't necessarily have to be in business. Prospective analysts often study related fields like finance, marketing, or technology.
- The International Institute of Business Analytics (IIBA) and Noble Desktop's Business Analyst Career Hub provide guidance on various career paths for aspiring Business Analysts.
- Essential hard skills for Business Analysts include proficiency in business intelligence software, Microsoft Excel, data mining, data visualization, database design, SQL, programming languages like Python, statistical analysis software, and query and survey software.
- Soft skills such as written and verbal communication, self-motivation, collaboration, negotiation, problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, and patience are equally crucial for a successful career in business analytics.
- Valuable experience for aspiring Business Analysts can be gained through internships, volunteering, or projects related to business analytics. Education providers like Noble Desktop offer certificate programs that include hands-on training and real-world projects.
- A strong business analytics portfolio often includes an 'About Me' section, work samples demonstrating skills, and a section showcasing skills, training, and work experience. This portfolio can be reviewed and improved with individualized feedback from sources like Noble Desktop's Business Analyst Certificate program.
This article will explore some of the steps for individuals who wish to pursue a career in business analytics but don’t have a degree in this field. It also will discuss some components of being a competitive job applicant in business analytics.
Can You Really Become a Business Analyst Without a Degree?
When pursuing a career as a Business Analyst, the job requirements vary based on the industry, the organization’s size, and the employer. While not every company is the same, most require applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite to working in this field. In fact, Zippia estimates that nearly three-quarters of Business Analysts possess a bachelor’s degree.
However, this degree doesn’t have to be in business. Instead, some aspiring Business Analysts elect to study a business-related field like finance, marketing, or technology. Fields such as these each offer training in many of the skills relevant to working in business. For job applicants who have completed their bachelor’s degree, 29% majored in business, 10% studied computer science, 9% majored in finance, 7% studied accounting, and 45% focused on other majors.
Step #1: Learn About Business Analyst Field
The first step toward pursuing a job as a Business Analyst is to understand the field of business analytics. Job applicants can begin with a general online search on this topic to become familiar with basic job requirements, typical career paths, pay rates, and other pertinent information. The International Institute of Business Analytics (IIBA) provides guidance on various career paths for aspiring Business Analysts and is a useful resource to consult. Another great resource to learn more about various careers in business analytics is Noble Desktop’s Business Analyst Career Hub page.
Step #2: Learn Business Analyst Skills
No matter what educational background a Business Analyst has, employers are especially interested in the skills they can bring to the organization. This is why it’s imperative to have both hard and soft skills related to business analytics. The following are several of the top skills employers look for in prospective Business Analysts:
Hard Skills
- Business intelligence software, like Microsoft Power BI
- Microsoft Excel
- Data mining
- Data visualization with software such as Tableau
- Database design
- SQL and database querying languages
- Programming skills with languages such as Python
- Statistical analysis software, like SPSS or SAS
- Query and survey software
Soft Skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Self-motivation to work independently
- Collaboration initiative
- Negotiation
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Patience in seeing projects out from conception to completion
Enrolling in Noble Desktop's Data Analytics Certificate is a great way to acquire training in many of the above-mentioned skills. Over the course of this intensive program, students acquire the skills needed to become Data Analysts or Business Analysts. Instruction covers topics such as business intelligence, data analysis and visualization, databases, and statistical analysis. In addition, those enrolled will graduate with a portfolio of projects and coursework showcasing what they’ve learned.
Business Analyst Certificate is a great way to acquire training in many of the above-mentioned skills. During this 63-hour class, students will receive instruction on a variety of applications, tools, and software commonly used by Business Analysts, such as Tableau, SQL, and Excel. All students can study in-person in Manhattan or complete coursework entirely online from a remote location.
Step #3: Get Experience in Business Analyst Projects
Completing projects in business analytics is a great way to demonstrate to employers that a candidate has acquired the skills and experience needed to contribute to their organization. Experience in this field can take many forms. For those new to business, internships are a good starting point. Some aspiring Business Analysts seek internships in business analytics, whereas others work in a related field like data analytics or finance.
For those who are already employed at an organization but work in a different capacity, one way to acquire experience with business analytics is to inquire if it is possible to work on a project related to business analytics. This can be an opportunity to learn more about this field while also receiving guidance and feedback on work. Volunteering at an organization is another option.
In addition, enrolling in coursework or a certificate in Business Analytics from an education provider such as Noble Desktop is a great way to gain hands-on experience developing business projects. Students who enroll in course study receive hands-on training in small classes. They complete real-world projects that students can later include in their professional portfolios.
Step #4: Build a Business Analyst Portfolio
Having a solid portfolio to represent one’s background working in business analytics is another essential component of being a competitive job applicant. Often, jobs in this field require that a candidate submit a portfolio showcasing the projects they’ve completed that are related to business analytics, as well as any additional professional information that would help present them professionally.
Many job applicants use online portfolios. They are a convenient option because applicants can share them simply by sending a hyperlink, and job seekers can update their content as often as necessary. When creating a business analytics portfolio, it’s always a good idea to have others review it before sending it to an employer. Having someone who works in business analytics review the content, and someone outside of the field with a background in writing review the grammar and usage are prudent steps to ensure that the portfolio is professional and relevant.
A strong business analytics portfolio often includes the following:
- An “About Me” section or paragraph in which the job applicant briefly introduces him or herself to employers and discusses why they wish to work as a Business Analyst.
- Work samples highlight the applicant's skills that may be valued by employers, such as their background in SQL or data visualization. You should contextualize any sample included in a portfolio. Understanding the context of the project can help the employer see how this sample illustrates a specific contribution the individual made to their organization or how they were able to help solve a problem by applying their skills.
- A section that showcases skills, training, and work experience. This section is a supplement to an applicant’s resume. It can be used to expand on the details presented there, such as their background working with Excel, using Python programming, or creating presentations.
For those who are interested in working on their business analytics portfolios, Noble Desktop’s Business Analyst Certificate provides students with individualized feedback on portfolios. In addition, Noble’s Business Analytics Career Hub page is a rich resource for business analytics professional development.
Step #5: Apply for Business Analyst Jobs
Once an individual has acquired the skills and experience needed to be a Business Analyst, it’s time to begin the job application process. Both freelance as well as full-time employment options are available for Business Analysts. One excellent resource for creating a business analytics resume and a LinkedIn profile is Noble Desktop’s Career Hub page. Anyone interested can also find information about interviewing here. In addition, those who enroll in Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate will receive one-on-one support with their job search process.
Learn Business Analytics by Signing up for Hands-on Classes
For those searching for additional study options in business analytics, over 140 live online classes in business analytics are currently listed by top educational providers around the US. These classes offer an excellent opportunity to study essential business concepts and skills like PowerPoint, Tableau, SQL, and Microsoft Power BI.
Those interested in finding learning options close to home can also use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to browse through more than 250 live online and in-person business analytics courses in topics such as SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel for Business, among others.
