10 Steps to Advance Your Business Analytics Career
Businesses collect a variety of types of data about their customers to gain insights into their habits as customers. However, that data needs to be analyzed properly in order to be useful to the business. Business analysts take the data that organizations collect and translate it into actionable information that must be communicated clearly to keep the company functioning successfully.
10 Steps to advance your business analytics career
A career in business analytics can be extremely rewarding. If you’re looking to get the most out of your career, you should be actively working on career development. Read on to learn the best ways to get ahead in your business analytics career:
1) Pursue a graduate degree
Your educational background always plays an important role in achieving your desired career and role. If you want to make the most of your career in business analytics and hold a top position in the field, pursuing a graduate degree is a great way to make that happen. Not only will a graduate degree in business analytics provide you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed, but it will boost your resume and show employers that you’re ready to take on important roles in their company.
2) Choose your coursework strategically
Ensuring that you’re taking the proper courses to prepare for your career can be a game changer when it comes to advancing down the road. By taking industry-specific courses that are tailored towards the specific area of business analytics you want to work in, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the specific issues you may encounter while in the “real world”.
3) Obtain valuable training from industry leaders
There are few better ways to learn about business analytics than from someone who is well respected for their expertise in the field. Training under certified analytics and insights professionals, gives you the opportunity to gain valuable insight into how they got where they are. Learning from current industry leaders will help you plan out your business analytics career path to get to the same place.
4) Consider completing certificates
If you’re looking to boost your resume, a great choice to do so is by completing certificates related to business analytics. This is an excellent way of adding extra experience to your resume, making you a more valuable and desired candidate for potential employers. You’ll learn skills such as information systems principles, applied statistics, and decision analysis. You can even complete this at home and save time and money by pursuing a graduate degree online.
5) Grow your professional network
Networking can be extremely advantageous in regards to advancing your career in business analytics. Connecting with professionals and industry leaders in the field can open up many doors for your career, especially early on. By keeping in touch with your network, utilizing your online presence, and assisting the networking of others, you’ll find many new opportunities that you may never have even known were out there.
6) Stay on top of the latest software and programming languages
Like most tech-focused industries, business analytics is constantly evolving. As a business analyst, you have to make sure you’re always keeping up with the latest software and programming languages. This will help assure that you’re staying on top of the industry, current trends, and necessary tools needed to tackle any new problems that come your way.
7) Sharpen your communication skills
As a business analyst, communicating complex information with multiple parties is a crucial skill to master. You must be able to present your ideas to your peers and superiors in a clear and concise manner to avoid confusion and ensure everyone understands your work. Having strong verbal and written communication skills will go a long way as you are working to advance your business analytics career.
8) Gain real-world exposure
One of the best ways to enhance your skills and advance your career in business analytics is by getting as much real-world experience as possible. If you’re just getting started in your career, taking on an internship is a great way for you to gain an understanding of what a career in business analytics actually entails and what type of work you would be doing on a regular basis.
9) Become an expert in your industry
Business analysts work across a number of different industries, and every industry has different challenges that analysts have to overcome. If you’re looking to get ahead in your industry you should take the time to understand the different types of challenges that your specific industry deals with. By becoming a specialist in your industry you’ll find that you have more leverage when it comes to finding high-level positions.
10) Be a team player
Like most professions, being a team player will go a long way if you’re looking to boost your career in business analytics. Your coworkers rely on you to provide them with useful information that can be critical to the success of the business. You should do your best to get to know your other team members and what their roles at the company are so you know how to best communicate with the rest of your team. Remember, helping a business succeed can translate to success in your own career.
Boost your career in business analytics at NJIT today!
NJIT offers business analysts an excellent way to get ahead with the university’s business analytics graduate certificate. By enrolling in the online certificate program you’ll be able to learn in-demand skills like decision analysis, data mining, and more from the comfort of your own home. Apply today and learn the skills that are essential for business analysts, and will help you succeed in your career.