How To Learn In-Demand IT Skills, Gain Hands-On IT Experience Or Get An IT Job http://www.it-career-coach.net How To Achieve Your Career Goals With Knowledge, Skills and Experience By IT Training And Career Coaching Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:59:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 38.631451-90.214154http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://www.it-career-coach.nethttp://feeds.feedburner.com/BecomeAProgrammer.3.gifHow To Improve Your Skills Or Become An ExpertBecomeAProgrammerhttp://feedburner.google.comYour Guide to Top Paying Jobs in High Demand Careers Alternate Career Paths for Business Analysts http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/TKAEd02LWXQ/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/03/alternate-career-paths-for-business-analysts/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:07:36 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1845
Ask IT Career Coach

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The fundamentals of earning an income is rooted in the exchange of goods, services or skills and having an 8 to 5 job is just one way of doing that!

This post answers the question of what to do when you can't get a job! posted by a reader (Kintu Vicent) who is inquiring about "how to earn an income as a business analyst without regular employment!"

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader's question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using the "Tell a Friend" Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

Here is the Question:

dear sir/madam,

i am an african youth living in uganda(east african country).

i would like to be a good entreprenuer (small scale business owner) but also having a profession both beneficial to my own businesses like procurement and logistics and side by employment inorder to accumulate more capital to invest in my projects.

i have the following to ask you.

can you give some sophisticated business ideas a business analyst does?

rather than being a consultant or contract personel ,how better can a business analyst creat his own employment to face the global challenge of un-employment.

best regards,

looking forward to hearing from you.

High Un-employment Rate

The un-employment rate in the United States is at a 26 year high! and other countries are also experiencing dramatic spikes in un-employment. So, business analysts and other IT professionals need to consider alternative or non-traditional career paths for earning a living".

First, Prepare a Strategic Plan Using SWOT Analysis

You create your own employment by using SWOT ANALYSIS to elicit alternative career paths or prepare competitive services for the business analysis marketplace.

You have to consider your strengths relative to the business analyst market place because you only get paid for what you can do well compared to others and you have to consider business analyst career paths strategically because you may be thinking in a box.

By thinking outside of the box, you begin to see opportunities that were hidden because of self-imposed mental constraints or limiting beliefs!

Alternative Career Paths for Business Analysts

Let me introduce three career paths for business analysts who don't want to work a regular 8 to 5 contract or full-time business analyst job.

  1. Business Analyst Blogger Career Path: You may become a blogger for the business analyst blogosphere!

    To become a business analyst blogger, you need a computer, a word processor and an internet connection.

    You can live anywhere in the world as a business analyst blogger because your clients are easily discoverable on the internet.

    There are several ways of monetizing your blogging income streams and you need to choose a profit model that best suits your blogging goals.

  2. Freelance IT Business Analyst Consultant Career Path: You may become a freelance IT business analyst consultant!

    As a freelance IT business analyst consultant, you may specialize in requirements analysis, requirements modeling and documentation, Use Cases, UML or Data Modeling for Software Development Projects.

    As a freelance IT business analyst consultant you may also setup shop virtually and work remotely for clients that need your services.

    You will need a more sophisticated marketing plan so you can discover or engage the types of clients that will be needing your out-sourced business analysis services.

  3. Freelance Web Business Analyst Consultant Career Path: You may capitalize on the opportunities created by the strong demand for web skills by becoming a freelance web business analyst!

    As a freelance web business analyst, your services may include helping companies align their web investments with their business goals using your superior business analysis skills.

    As a freelance web business analyst, You may also decide to help companies analyze how customers use or interact with their websites or help elicit business requirements for web analytics projects.

    If you have developed strong quantitative or analytical skills, you may also help business leaders take advantage of hidden opportunities in their clickstream, search, survey or web usability data.

The alternative career paths listed above are just a tip of the iceberg ... there are more!

If you need help with eliciting alternative career paths or preparing a competitive service for the market place, feel fee to contact us.

Career Paths for Business Analysts

Kintu, it is possible to create your own employment as a business analyst without working a traditional 8 to 5 job.

Begin by using SWOT Analysis to discover what you are good at and then create a competitive offering for the business analyst marketplace!

This post answers a question posted by a reader on "how to become a freelance business analyst!!

If you have any Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/03/alternate-career-paths-for-business-analysts/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/07/03/alternate-career-paths-for-business-analysts/ Discover Your Strengths Like Michael Jackson http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/MJMnIJq9ukA/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/27/discover-your-strengths-like-michael-jackson/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:40:03 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1742 Michael Jackson, King of Pop. August 29, 1958 to June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson, King of Pop. August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson discovered his musical strengths early in his career, developed into a musical genius and then dedicated his life to serving humanity with music.

What we know about legends or superstars like Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson is that they are the best at what they do.

But the reason why we love the Michaels' (Phelps, Jordan, Jackson) is: "we are just like them way down or deep inside of us"!

Each of us ... everyone ... has strengths that when discovered, developed and dedicated to the service of others ... makes us stand-out and be noticed!

First, Disover Your Strengths

The answer to the questions: what career should I go into or what should I study in college or how do I get a job is "first, discover your strengths".

Choosing a career just because it pays well, is not good enough because it may stop paying well when it becomes flooded with fortune seekers.

Not choosing a career because it doesn't pay well, is not good enough because you are judging by the average pay reserved for average performers.

Choose a career by evaluating your answers to some of these questions:

  1. What truly motivates or inspires you?

  2. What do you love doing?

  3. What are you good or exceptional at doing?

  4. What do you do efficiently or what do you produce easily?

  5. What do you like to read, research or study on your own time?

  6. What are your hobbies and what do you do with your spare time?

  7. What work will you do if money wasn't an issue?

  8. What work will you do if you weren't trying to please anyone in you life?

  9. What do you get paid to do?

If you are not building your career around your strengths, now is a good time to stop and re-evaluate because it is never too late to do the right thing!

Develop Your Strengths By Constant Practice

You need to develop your strengths through constant practice.

Your strengths needs to be developed and improved by conscious practice otherwise you stand to lose them!

You lose the benefits of having strengths when you neglect to exercise them repeatedly until they become a competitive advantage.

Remember that no one hires for under-developed strengths. Employers prefer to hire workers who have developed their strengths versus those who are hoping to do so after they are hired!

Developing your strengths helps you take advantage of opportunities discovered along the path of doing what you love or what you are good at.

Not developing your strengths means you won't be able to take advantage of opportunities that further what you love doing or what you are good at.

Not developing your strengths also means that you are building your career or life around your weaknesses.

When you don't develop or play to your strengths, you are likely to get burned-out, unhappy, depressed and earn lower wages because you can't work as efficiently or as productively as your colleagues!

Not developing your strengths puts you at a competitive disadvantage in a global economy because you will lose out to someone, somewhere, someday who will do a much better job than you!

Building your career around weaknesses instead of strengths puts you in a situation where ultimately, you won't be able to keep up with the demands of your job!

Dedicate Your Strengths To Serving Others

Your strengths are for you to use in serving others. Seek out opportunities to serve with your strengths because "what you use becomes stronger" and "what you don't use becomes obsolete!"

Your first reaction shouldn't be to quit your day job. Begin by finding opportunities to use your strengths within or outside your day job!

If you are a business analyst and you discover that your strengths are in requirements documentation and not Use Cases for example, then ask for more requirements documentation tasks at work.

If you are a computer programmer and you discover that your strengths are in database development, and not coding for example, then ask for more database development tasks at work.

It more practical for you to utilize your strengths at work because that is where you spend the majority of your active working day. But if you can't then do something with your strengths after work or as a hobby!

Whatever you do, don't go overboard and quit your day job because you can't use your strengths at work and don't neglect to use your strengths because of work or family committments either!

Regardless of your situation, discover your strengths, develop your strengths and dedicate your strengths to serving others!

Use SWOT Analysis to Plan Your Career Around your Strengths

Use SWOT Analysis to elicit your strengths and position it for your benefit at work or in the job market!

It is not enough to know your strengths, you also need to take advantage of your strengths in a competitive manner.

Why, because competition is a fact of life. Your strengths are not evaluated in isolation but in comparson to others!

  1. Michael Phelps is not just a strong swimmer, Michael Phlelps is the Greatest Swimmer of All Time!. Michael Phlelps is the "Top Olympic Gold Medal Winner of All Time" with 14 career Olympic gold medals!

  2. Michael Jackson is not just a great singer, Michael Jackson is or was the "King of Pop!. The Guinness World Records holds him as the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" and his 1982 album "Thriller" is the "World's Best Selling Record of All Time"!

  3. Michael Jordan is not just a good basketball player, Michael Jordan's biography on the National Basketball Association (NBA) website states, "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time."

Do you get the picture? Your strengths are always compared to others ... that is just how the world works!

To succeed at work, you have to pursue opportunities while defending against threats by playing to your strengths.

Use SWOT Analysis to plan your career by factoring in your competitive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Remember that failing to plan your career is the same as planning to fail at your career!

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/27/discover-your-strengths-like-michael-jackson/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/27/discover-your-strengths-like-michael-jackson/ How Do You Get Business Analyst Domain Experience? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/gstGcDZA3-s/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/24/how-do-you-get-business-analyst-domain-experience/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:09:23 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1717 Become a Leader

Become a Leader

One of the toughest challenges facing business analysts today is building the domain experience required for business analyst jobs.

Acquiring business analyst domain experience from scratch is hard because you need to get a job before you can build domain expertise ... yet no-one will give you a job without the required domain experience!

This article discusses how to get around the business analyst domain experience required for most business analysis jobs.

What is Business Analyst Domain Experience?

Business analyst domain experience is the hands-on business skills or domain knowledge acquired by working in a specialized industry such as automotive, banking, insurance, telecom, utilities or in a specialized business operation such as customer relationship management, finance, sales and marketing.

Business analyst domain experience is gained by solving business problems for a specific industry or business unit.

Business analyst domain experience can not be gained by passing exams or obtaining certifications or by having good business analysis skills like Use Case or Requirements Modeling skills

Business analyst domain experience can only be gained by working as a business analyst in an industry or by solving real-world business problems for a specific business function.

Don't Confuse Your Business Analyst Skills With Domain Knowledge!

There is a difference between your business analyst skills and your business analyst domain experience.

Your business analyst skills (like requirement elicitation or use cases) are the techniques or tools you use in solving business problems.

Your BA skills are the means to an end ... the end being the business problems in your domain or business.

A business analyst transitioning to a new domain starts with a little or no domain knowledge and then builds up over time.

Business analysts transitioning to new domains without several years of industry experience have to prove themselves as if they were starting all over ... even though their business analysis skills are still portable!

When is Business Analyst Domain Experience Needed?

Transitioning From One Busines Analyst Domain to Another: Business analysts transitioning from a domain like the automotive or auto-finance industry to another domain like healthcare or telecomms have to build their business analyst domain experience completely from scratch.

Transitioning From One Country to Another: Business analysts transitioning from one country to another may have to re-establish their domain experience.

New domain knowledge is needed because businesses operate under different laws, regulations, customs and economic climates across national or regional boundaries

So, potential employer want to be sure that re-locating business analysts are intimate with the customs or ways of doing business locally.

How Do You Build Business Analyst Domain Experience From Scratch?

The IT Leadership program helps you acquire business analyst domain experience in a select number of industries or domains. Here is how it works:

  • Become a Domain Specialist: In the The IT Leadership program, you are encouraged to specialize in a few business analyst domains so you can achieve a reasonable level of mastery or competency within those domains.

    You don't specialize in only one domain because that will be like putting all your eggs in one basket. You also don't specialize on all domains because you won't achieve mastery that way.

    This is what you do ... you select a few business analyst domains to specialize in using the power of SWOT Analysis.

  • Become a Leader: The IT Leadership program gets you networked with businesses in a specific domain.

    You are exposed to the business problems in a domain and you solve them using skills acquired at the Business Analysts Boot Camp.

    Finally, you gain recognition or become a business analyst domain expert by sharing your findings or solutions with your selected businesses.

Become a Leader by signing up for the Business Analysts Boot Camp and then build the Domain Knowledge required for business analyst positions.

In this post, I discussed how to solve the challenge of acquiring business analyst domain knowledge by specializing in a few domains and solving business problems native to those domains.

Feel free to share an opinion or insight about this post using the comment form below.

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/24/how-do-you-get-business-analyst-domain-experience/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/24/how-do-you-get-business-analyst-domain-experience/ It Is Never Too Late To Become A Computer Programmer! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/h67wrRSQmlo/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/22/it-is-never-too-late-to-become-a-computer-programmer/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:53 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1666 Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a reader who wants to become a computer programmer!

If you need help with a Question or Challenge, be sure to ask it as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering this reader's question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using the "Tell a Friend" Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

Here is the Question:

hi

i am 55 yrs old now, and I am more or less retired since the financial crisis hit us last year.

I used to work in a shipping company, in the operations dept.

I am keen to switch to an IT carer, specializing in programming. What are my chances, to build a career in programming so late.

In my younger days in 1985-1986 I took a course in computer science and programking skills langauge used basic and cobol, but i joined my brother in a shipping and forwarding company and have not done any programming.

Here is my Answer:

Let me answer your question by making a bold statement: "it is never too late to pursue happiness!"

Here in the United States we believe that "All Men ... are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights ... Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".

So, if pursuing a career in computer programming represents happiness for you ... then do so regardless of your age!

I have worked with skilled computer programmers older than 55 years ... one of them being a contract programmer employed by Robert Half International Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the other, a contract programmer at a Loyalty Marketing Firm in Saint Louis, Missouri.

The last time I spoke with either of them, they were in-demand, happy and at the top of their game ... their age not withstanding!

But I will give you some additional reasons why "it is never too late to become a computer programmer!"

High Demand For Contract Computer Programmers

I will suggest that you become a computer programmer by first going into contract programming because the demand for skilled contract computer programmers far outweighs their supply!

You can independently verify this fact by looking at the number of contract programming gigs posted in Dice.Com.

Skilled Contract Programmers are so much in supply that you can earn six figures with full-medical, 401K and dental benefits within the first year or two ... if you are good!

Age Is Not A Barrier To Freelance Computer Programming Career

The demand for skilled programmers also makes it easy and feasible for you to become a freelance computer programmer

As a freelance computer programmer, you are responsible for finding your own clients, paying your own taxes and benefits while keeping the option of working from your home office or personal business site.

Freelance computer programming is all about talent, skill and performance and not about your age, sex, nationality or education. If you know your stuff and you can promote yourself then you are in business.

So, I suggest that you learn computer programming first and using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats ) Analysis determine if freelance computer programming is for you.

Age is Not A Barrier To Managing Computer Programmers

If you have learnt computer programming, you may specialize in managing computer programmers or software development projects.

Your age may actually work in your favor if you've learnt how to position it as a strength and not a weakness!

You may be hired over younger computer programmers who are sometimes seen as being more arrogant, less likely to stay on a job and less experienced at dealing with people.

One thing you may need to learn is "how to position yourself to employers by emphasizing your strengths!". So, I would encourage you to spend more time thinking of how your age can be an asset versus how it is a liability!

Sharp Computer Programming Skills In-Demand

The IT Industry values skill-based competency over any other attribute and that goes for computer programming careers too!

If you really want to become a computer programmer, I would advise you to focus all your strength on becoming the best programmer you can be!

While pursuing your programming career, focus on developing a high-level of mastery or competence and get ready to prove it to hiring managers.

If you can prove that you are as good or better than the skill demands for the job, then you will be employed and you will stay employed ... it is that simple!

Previous Industry Experience Helps

Here is another reason why your age can be an asset if you learn how to position it correctly using a tool like SWOT Analysis!

You may have an advantage over younger programmers because you have worked in more industries and you are more exposed to how business is done compared to a younger computer programmer who may even be fresh out of college

You should highlight your previous industry experience (you should have a lot by now) and prepare a position statement that points out how your first-hand knowledge of business operations will help a prospective employer!

Given this last example, I hope that I have demonstrated again the value of learning how to position your age as an asset or strength and not as a weakness!

Use Industry Contacts To Your Advantage

Here is another reason why your age can be an asset and not a liability.

Using a SWOT Analysis, you may be able to determine that you have contacts in the industry who can help you get a computer programming job!

This is a reasonable expectation because you probably know more people than a younger computer programmer based on the fact that you've worked in more places, been in contact with more people or been around longer :-)

What you need to do, is to learn how to leverage your contacts and existing relationships towards getting a full-time computer programming job, a contract computer programming job or a freelance computer programming job!

How Do You Become A Computer Programmer?

You become a computer programmer by enrolling at the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

The software developers boot camp is an Online, Video Based, Web Based, Instructor Led, Beginner to Advanced Software Developer Training

After you complete your computer programmers training you will get assistance towards pursuing a full-time contract programmer career or a freelance computer programmer career depending on what your SWOT Analysis tells us.

Don't Worry about this because we will assist you at every stage of your new computer programmer career.

Finally, I will also advise you to register for the SQL Boot Camp because SQL skills are usually required in software developer positions. You should register for both the SQL Boot Camp and the Software Developers Boot Camp at the same time to get the best results.

So, register here for the SQL BOOT CAMP and also register here for the SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BOOT CAMP!

This post answers a question posted by a reader on "how to become a computer programmer! If you have any Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

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Learn SQL Online - The Easy Way!

SQL Boot Camp is the hands-on, beginner to advanced level guide to learning SQL online.

You are shown, taught and instructed on how to write best-practice SQL code in an instructor-led, convenient and interactive web-based SQL course.

You gain mastery of SQL query writing, database design or database development by practicing as you learn from sql instructors using multiple videos, quizzes and hands-on database projects.

Today, we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to save $100 by registering in SQL BOOT CAMP using the promotional code: SQLKEY!

To qualify for today's savings, click here to register now for a whooping $100 discount using the promotional code: SQLKEY

Why Learn SQL Online?

Databases are everywhere and virtually every firm or organization has multiple databases. Because companies everywhere use data, access data or store data in databases, the relevance, future and demand for SQL skills is guaranteed!

You need to learn SQL so you can access the facts stored away in databases by yourself ... without relying on someone else to access the data for you

You also need to learn SQL so you can build databases used in transactional or analytical software or web-based applications.

What Do You Want To Know About Learning SQL Online at SQL Boot Camp?

  1. You can register for SQL Training from any home or office location:

    • You can take your training from home or the office because your SQL Training will be available online through videos, a web-based learning management system (LMS) and SQL trainers who will help you gain critical, hands-on SQL, Database Design and Database Development project experience

  2. You gain improved database skills Or hands-on SQL expertise

    • After you enroll in SQL training, the web based training software creates a new training schedule for you and then sends you a personalized e-mail with links to your SQL videos or Database lessons, assignments or quizzes

    • You are assigned a number of days for each SQL trainng video, SQL quiz, SQL assignment or hands-on database design or development project. You may however complete your work earlier or later than scheduled based on your own schedule

    • You can submit your SQL projects back to a live SQL course instructor using a feature of the SQL training program

    • Your SQL course instructors review and grade each of your database projects or provide personalized help, assistance or corrective feedback

    • Your SQL skills are sharpened through multiple quizzes and your grades are automatically dsiplayed in a secure, private online report card

    • Your understanding or progress at learning SQL is constantly monitored or evaluated and you are given various opportunities to practice as you learn!

  3. You Retain Access to SQL Training Videos After the Course Is Completed!

    • You retain FULL and PERMANENT access to ALL SQL training videos after training is completed

    • The SQL training videos will remain accessible through the "Resources" Menu on the training portal

  4. Online SQL Training Is Flexible, Convenient, Affordable

    • Yes, you are given ample time to complete each SQL training module including the SQL training videos or SQL practice tests or hands on SQL projects

    • Yes, you can login for SQL training at any time

    • Yes, you may pause your SQL training any time because of work or life committments

    • Yes, you may pause your SQL training without any penalty

    • Yes, you do not have to begin or complete your SQL training at the same time as everyone else

    • Yes, you do not have to login at the same time as everyone else or at a specific time of the day or night

    • Yes, your SQL training is a "go at your own pace", anytime, anywhere, anypace training. Yes, you can take some of your training at work (during lunchtime) or at home (after dinner) or on the road (from your laptop)!

  5. No Entrance Examination Or Pre-requisite Courses Required

    • Your SQL training will walk you step by step ... from utter beginner to advanced level without any prior SQL background

    • Your SQL course instructors do not assume anything about your background, so you are taken through the basics and then taken to the advanced-level SQL courses

    • Your SQL training Videos are all hands-on, instructional videos ... which means that you learn by simply watching the SQL course instructors

    • The SQL training videos cover both theoretical topics and practical requirements for Database Design or Database Development or SQL Query Writing

    • You do not need extra time to prepare for SQL training before registering because all the preparation, foundational topics or pre-requisite knowledge is in-built and included as part of your SQL training courses

  6. You Determine The Pace Of Your SQL Training

    • Yes, you can accelerate or speed-up your SQL training or customize your SQL learning to suit your own study time

    • Yes, you can finish SQL training in more time or less time than the estimated duration

    • You can control your SQL training pace or customize it to your personal preferences. So you don't have to start or finish at the same time as eveyone else

  7. SQL Boot Camp's Learning Management System (LMS) Shortens Your Learning Curve:

    • The scheduling, tracking, monitoring and management of all SQL Boot Camp's training content is done through modules in-built into the SQL training program

  8. You Don't Need To Install Additional Software Programs to Watch SQL Training Videos

    • You don't need to install additional software progarms to view the SQL training videos online

    • SQL Boot Camp uses a web-based training system that allows you to view the SQL training videos anytime from any location

    • All the necessary software training features are already built into your SQL training system ... so, you don't need to mess around with tiresome software installations

    • ... And yes, that means you don't need to worry about browser requirements either!

Don't miss out on this Limited Time Discount because you save $100 by enrolling TODAY!

Right now, you can ...

Click here to start learning SQL online - the easy way!

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Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a Healthcare Business Analyst looking for work!

If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

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Here is the Question:

Hi Kingsley,I like your articles and posts and look forward to a good advise from you on the following :

The toughest challenge for me is to get back into Business Analysis after working for just less than 2 yrs where my domain was government sector projects and a dash of incomplete healthcare knowledge.

I 'm neither a fresher nor an experienced guy with very less domain exp. I mostly get healthcare projects ( since my last project was on health care domain) where my knowledge is inadequate and companies do not want to employ me for the same.

How can I bag such jobs when the domain knowlege is lacking? or how can I convince that my BA skills are good enough for the new domain?

I am not sure what additional skills I need to gain to be employable.Should I gain any technical knowledge or do IIBA certifications?

Please advise.

Thanks 

Sri:

I'm glad that you enjoy reading my articles and posts. I would be glad to answer your questions for you.

Here are my thoughts on what you need to do to get back in the game.

  1. Learn How To Get A Business Analyst Job Without Applying For Any

  2. Learn How To Ace Business Analyst Job Interviews

  3. Get More Business Analysis Domain Experience

How To Get More Healthcare Business Analysis Domain Experience

The main issue facing your business analysis job search based on feedback from employers is inadequate healthcare domain experience.

You need to address the lack of business analysis domain experience directly by looking for more informal or formal work in the healthcare industry.

Don't side-step the main issue by working on getting more educational qualifications because you won't get more healthcare business analysis experience that way!

You need to either get more healthcare business analysis domain experience or perhaps start all over with a new business analysis domain!

If you decide to continue with the Healthcare Industry, then you will be building on your previous healthcare business analysis domain experience.

If you decide to start over with a new business analysis domain, you may be able to get additional business analyst hands-on experience more easily or quickly.

You also have the option on working on getting business analysis domain experience in more than one industry! For example, you may increase your chances of getting a business analyst job by getting business analyst domain experience in sales or marketing or customer relationship management (CRM domains in addition to the healthcare domain.

So, you also need to evaluate the availability or accessibility of domain experience in the healthcare industry compared to other industries or expose yourself to additional industries besides healthcare.

Regardless of which business analysis domains you choose, do not try to bypass the lack of experience issue ... be sure to address it directly in your actions

Learn How To Ace Business Analyst Job Interviews

It is possible that you are not getting hired because you are not putting up a compelling business analyst job interview!

You may possess the minimal business analysis domain experience required for a healthcare business analyst job and still not get hired because of weak presentation or interviewing skills!

A business analyst may get a job where another business analyst else with more experience, skills, training, certifications or educations fails because job interviews are subjective!

So, you must work on improving your business analyst interviewing skills so you cover all your bases!

"Click here for more Information on How To Get Through Business Analyst Interviews"

Learn How To Get a Business Analyst Job Offers Without Applying For Any!

It is actually possible to get job offers without actively soliciting for them.

Assuming that the job search process is a marketing process, you are better off getting employers to call you with job offers!

The problem with the traditional methods of job searching is that everyone who is out-of-a-job is probably doing the same thing! To get a job you have to do more than everyone else!

So, you have to raise the bar higher by getting employers to notice you or call you with business analyst job offers!

Now, that is quite possible and I am going to show you how!

The way to get employers to notice you is by becoming a leader in the healthcare business analyst domain or any other domain that you prefer!

How To Become A Leader In The Healthcare Business Analyst Industry!

The best way to get a healthcare job is by becoming a leader in the healthcare business analysis domain!

Becoming a leader in the healthcare business analyst domain means that you do the things that gets you noticed in the healthcare business analysis domain.

When you become a leader in the healthcare business analyst industry then employers are more likely to call you with job offers and your resume is guaranteed to stand out in any pile of business analyst resumes!

We have a program that coaches you on how to stand-up and be noticed! . IT helps you "Become a Leader".

In that program you are shown or coached on "how to become a leader or gain recognition in the IT marketplace!"

Sri, feel free to ask for more information by contacting us or by posting a comment, question or reply below!

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/14/how-to-become-a-healthcare-business-analyst/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/14/how-to-become-a-healthcare-business-analyst/ Media Coverage - IT-CAREER-COACH.NET In The News! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/1Dgbc2B6XnM/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/14/media-coverage-it-career-coach-in-the-news/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:17:12 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1605 IT Career Planet

IT Career Planet

I was recently interviewed by a journalist from IT Career Planet about the dos and don'ts for IT workers during the interview process.

The questions asked during the interview include:

  • What are some of the most common mistakes people make when applying for IT jobs?

  • What should candidates focus on in the interview? What should they avoid?

  • What are some steps they should take to prepare for the interview?

  • How far back in time should a resume go?

  • What IT jobs do you see as being "hot" right now, if any?

Read or Share the rest of the interview titled "Searching for an IT Job: The Dos and Don’ts":

Click here to read the rest of the media coverage

Click here to download a pdf version of the media coverage

References:

Click here to read another media coverage

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/14/media-coverage-it-career-coach-in-the-news/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/14/media-coverage-it-career-coach-in-the-news/ Is the Job Market Good Or Bad For Business Analysts? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/-4kMFRO1s58/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/04/is-the-job-market-good-or-bad-for-business-analysts/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:27:08 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1590 Ask IT Career Coach

Ask IT Career Coach

This question was posted by a Business Analyst in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.

If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

Please, send this post to your friends using the "Tell a Friend" Button button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

Here is the Question:

Hi,

I am looking to go into My first Business Analyst role, I have had a mixture of responses from people here in the United Kingdom (UK).

Some are saying that the market is bad for entry level Business Analysts and some say its good.

Is there any one that could give me advise on what I should do and how I should market myself?

Here is my answer to the question on "getting an entry level business analyst job in a good or bad job market":

  1. Do not begin or opt-out of the business analyst job search because of the state of the job market.

  2. Do decide to search for a business analyst job because you want to be a business analyst.

Your decision to become a business analyst or search for business analyst jobs should be based on an interest or dis-interest in becoming a business analyst and not on factors beyond your control like the condition of the business analyst job market.

Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People mentioned that proactive people do not worry or focus on factors over which they have little or no control ... instead they focus on their "Sphere Of Influence" ... those factors or circumstances over which they can exercise control.

So, do not focus or worry about the condition of the Business Analyst Job Market.

Keep your focus on becoming a business analyst and making an effective search for a business analyst job by:

  1. Deciding if you want to become a business analyst by comparing your strengths to the demands of the business analyst profession

  2. Finding out how to get a business analyst job regardless of the condition of the business analyst job market

Do You Want To Become A Business Analyst?

Take the first action within your control by first learning the roles, responsibilities or duties of a business analyst.

Next compare what you have learned about the day to day challenges or the life of a business analyst to what you know about your own abilities, likes or strengths.

Finally decide if you want to become a business analyst based on all the information you've gathered.

There are several articles on this website that will help you make an informed decision on becoming a business analyst

Here are some articles on the topic of becoming a business analyst:

How Do You Effectively Plan The Business Analyst Job Search?

You need to make an effective plan for finding business analyst jobs because making that kind of plan is within your control or sphere of influence.

Make an effective plan for becoming a business analyst by improving each of the following areas that impact your business analyst job search:

  1. Business Analyst Cover Letter

  2. Business Analyst Resume

  3. Business Analyst Job Search

  4. Business Analyst Job Interviewing Skills

  5. Business Analyst Hands-On Working Experience

  6. Business Analysis Domain Experience

  7. Business Analysis Skills & Knowledge

The point here is that job searches fail because they are weak or improperly planned and not because of the condition of the business analyst job market!

Here are some articles on the topic of creating an effective business analyst job search plan:

Finally, I want to say that basing decisions about a beginning a career you like ... on the job market condition is fundamentally flawed because of two reasons:

  • You cannot not wait till the business analyst job market is good because the market will be saturated with "Me-Toos" or everyone who wants to get a business analyst job because they hear that the market is also good!.

  • You cannot also delay applying for business analyst jobs when the business analyst job market is bad because others will also assume that the business analyst job market is bad. Applying when the business analyst job market looks weak is actually good for you because you will have fewer competitors then!

So, think positively, focus on factors within your control and remember that if you think that you can become a business analyst ... you can!

This post answers a question posted by a reader. If you have a Question, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/04/is-the-job-market-good-or-bad-for-business-analysts/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/04/is-the-job-market-good-or-bad-for-business-analysts/ Become an IT Career Coach http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/q8CsDfpJSEU/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/03/become-an-it-career-coach/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:24:57 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1563 Tell A Friend

Tell A Friend

Are you interested in helping people get situated in the right IT Careers or Jobs?

Do you have contacts or friends interested or working in the Information Technology (IT) Industry? If you answered yes, why are you not an IT Career Coach?

We are looking for a few good people who want to earn generous commissions by linking or refering IT Workers to us ... click here to read more about our affiliate program

Become An IT Career Coach - Affiliate Program

If you have a website or a blog or an online presence, you can become an IT Career Coach easily by placing our Affiliate Link in your website

  • You get a sign-up bonus when you join and a dedicated, personalized affiliate link that you use in newsletters or blogs or websites to refer friends, colleagues, contacts or visitors

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Become An IT Career Coach - Tell A Friend Program

You don't have a website? No problem, you can also become an IT Career Coach!

  • You can become an IT Career Coach by participating in the Tell A Friend program

  • Participating is easy. You refer friends to articles using the Tell A Friend button in each article.

    We track each referral and pay out a generous commission for colleagues or contacts or friends who orders our training services

  • It is easy to "Become Your Own IT Career Coach" when you partner with us

Join our growing community of friends or click here to contact us for more information

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/03/become-an-it-career-coach/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/03/become-an-it-career-coach/ June Specials http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/R8aCSHW_Qxk/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/june-specials/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:38:38 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1554 SPECIAL DISCOUNTWe are running a special discount that allows you to subscribe to two (2) or more courses for close to the price of one course.

Use the current discount to register for the Busines Analyst Boot Camp and the SQL Boot Camp or the Busines Analyst Boot Camp and the Data Analyst Boot Camp for close to the price of one course.

Or Use the current discount to register for the Software Developer Boot Camp and the SQL Boot Camp or the Software Developer Boot Camp and the Data Analyst Boot Camp for close to the price of one course.

This is the opportunity you need to broaden your current skill sets, advance your current career or transition to a new IT role

We are offering this special promotion because hiring managers are lowering staffing costs by hiring for a broader range of skill-sets ... read about the trend in the article titled IT Managers Hiring Broader Range Of Skills

Click here to take advantage of this special discount now.

We are also online chatting with customers now and you are invited to chat with us.

So, click here to take advantage of the current special promotion right away. Just add any two (2) courses to your shopping cart and you qualify for the special discounted price.

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]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/june-specials/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/june-specials/ Your Opinion Counts - What Makes A Good Data Analyst? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/wt1CP2dQ114/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/your-opinion-counts-what-makes-a-good-data-analyst/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:09:37 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1547 Ask a Burning Question

Ask a Burning Question

In reply to a question by a Statistician transitioning to a data analyst career, I posted the article Are Statistics Or SQL Skills Required In Data Analyst Careers?

My reply also included a Skills Gap Analysis for Statisticians or Mathematicians who want to become data analysts.

I got a comment from another Mathematician / Statistician which I have posted below.

Let me know if you have a comment or opinion or feedback on this issue ... here is my reader's comment:

Jonathan's Opinion:

I just read through the article entitled ARE STATISTICS OR SQL SKILLS REQUIRED IN DATA ANALYST CAREERS?

Kingsley was really to the point in this article. I have a Bsc. in Mathematics with statistics myself. In most if not all organizations data is kept in relational databases. Even in a research based organizations like National Statistical Offices where surveys are done using statistical packages like SAS,SPSS,CSPRO etc, Data is best kept in a relational database especially if one is to analyse the data across many surveys.

In short Databases are the best Data storage tools while Statistical packages and spreadsheets are best at number crunching.

To be effective with Databases you need to know SQL So, a combination of Databases skills and Statistical skills makes a good Data Analyst.

I would therefore encourage all Statisticians, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, planning officers, Economists etc to learn Databases and SQL.

What I really like about Jonathan's opinion is his statement that databases are best at data storage while statistical packages and spreadsheets like SAS, SPSS, CSPRO, EXCEL are best at number crunching.

Your Opinion Counts ... Speak Up!

What about you ...

  • do you agree or disagree with my opinion or Jonathan's opinion or with the rest of the article?

  • do you have a different take on the issue?

  • do you have another question that I can answer for you?

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    ]]> http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/your-opinion-counts-what-makes-a-good-data-analyst/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/06/01/your-opinion-counts-what-makes-a-good-data-analyst/ Free Soft Skills Training for Computer Programmers http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/NgHBmX55qFQ/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/28/free-soft-skills-training-for-computer-programmers/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 18:40:39 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1530 Ask a Burning Question

    Ask a Burning Question

    This post answers a question about how to improve soft skills (communication, leadership, time management, presentation, team skills) for a Database Developer.

    If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

    Please, send this post to your friends using the "Tell a Friend" button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

    Here is the Question:

    I am a database developer and I would like to know:

    How do I improve my Soft Skills with Training?

    How do I improve my Database Skills with Training?

    How do I get training that matches my Job Description?

    Here is my Answer to the Career Question:

    Computer Programmers usually spend more time at work coding than dealing with people, so over a period of time, their people skills may suffer while their technical skills improve.

    However, good or effective people skills is required for advancing to full-time senior software developer positions or software architect positions or team lead positions.

    The Soft Skills needed for a Database Developer or Computer Programmer Career include

    1. Communication Skills

    2. Leadership Skills

    3. Time Management Skills

    4. Presentation Skills

    5. Inter-Personal / Team Skills

    Communication Skills Training for Computer Programmers

    Computer Programmers need strong written and verbal communication skills for getting their ideas across to team members, managers, customers or stakeholders

    Effective communication skills is usually required for team lead or software architect or senior computer programming positions

    Computer Programmers who usually start the early phase of their career improving technical skills need to balance or round-up their skills by also improving their communication skills

    Leadership Skills Training for Computer Programmers

    Computer Programmers working on enterprise software development projects or coding projects involving several other programmers, database analysts, business analysts, etc. need to improve their leadership skills to prevent project failures

    Sometimes decision makers, stakeholders or team members need to be influenced, persuaded or lead towards adopting better technology faster.

    Unfortunately, Computer Programmers who tend to be at the forefront of new technology are less sucessful at getting their employers to invest on these new technologies because they lack critical leadership skills

    Time Management Skills Training for Computer Programmers

    Computer Programmers tend to prefer working on coding project at a time or one section of code at a time because of the concentration or mental effort required to write code

    Business Analysts, Data Analysts and especially Project Managers on the other hand are used to working on multiple projects at the same time

    Computer Programmers who want to move into senior programming positions need to improve time management skills because their managers would require them to support multiple coders or work on multiple software projects at the same time

    Presentation Skills Training for Computer Programmers

    Good written or verbal communication skills is not quite the same thing as good presentation skills

    Computer Programmers who write or speak well may shy away from speaking or presenting before groups of peers, customers, managers, decision makers, C-Level executives, etc.

    Weak presentation skills need to be overcome by computer programmers advancing to senior, leadership, mentoring or coaching positions because strong presentation skills are needed to communicate ideas effectively at tha level

    Inter-Personal / Team Skills for Computer Programmers

    Computer Programmers working on enterprise or large software development projects need good inter-personal skilles to get along with other team members

    Improved or effective inter-personal skills are required because the computer programmer has to interface with other computer programmers, business analysts, project managers, network administrators or customers

    Computer programmers working on enterprise projects have to get along with other team members responsible for each milestore or feature or phase of the project.

    How to Get Free Soft Skills or Inter-Personal Training

    I recommend that computer programmers interested in improving their presentation, communication or inter-personal skills should join Toastmasters International.

    Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

    Toastmasters International is headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California and the organization has nearly 250,000 members in over 12,000 clubs in 106 countries. ... in other words, you already have a Toastmasters International club you can join in your city!

    In the USA, Toastmasters International Membership Fees are about $25 every six months ... in other words negligible.

    Toastmasters International is a great place for developing critical leadership skills, communication skills, presentation skills or inter-personal skills in a non-threatening, professional environment.

    1. This post answers a reader's question on: "How Computer Programmers Can Improve Soft Skills".

    2. If you have a Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

    3. If you enjoyed reading this then Send this Post to your Friends

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    ]]>     http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/28/free-soft-skills-training-for-computer-programmers/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/28/free-soft-skills-training-for-computer-programmers/     Can You Perform? Prove It! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/-F7AQJo3SoM/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/26/can-you-perform-prove-it/#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 22:12:57 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/26/can-you-peform-prove-it/ Performance Based Careers

    Performance Based Careers

    To become a medical doctor or a lawyer you need training, internship and finally you get a license or certification to practice.

    However, there is no such path to starting an IT Career! There is no legally binding qualification or certification for becoming a computer programmer or a business analyst or a data analyst or a database developer!

    The path to becoming an IT professional is littered with myths and misconceptions because the emphasis is really on you to prove that you are as good as you say you are!

    Proving You Can Perform Get's You an IT Job

    The path to IT Career success begins and ends with your performance. You prove that you can perform a role well based on your past experience or hands-on skills and you are hired!

    Information Technology (IT) is a performance based career. You are assumed to be incompetent inspite of your educational achievements or degrees or Alma Mater until you prove that you have the needed experience to get the job done!

    You Perform to Secure Your IT Job

    You are judged daily based on your performance after you get hired. Every day of your employment is a new performance test and the best way to keep your IT job is to constantly perform above expectations.

    If you fail to keep up your performance, you lose your IT job regardless of your past achievements, educational qualifications or IT degrees

    You Perform To Get Promoted in IT Careers

    Your performance today determines your promotion tomorrow. You have to continually learn or master new skills and then solve new problems based on your new skills or abilities.

    You can't keep on performing the same task over and over and expect to go places!

    You have to constantly advance your skills, accept new responsibilities, stretch your current abilities, learn new technologies or your career becomes extinct like the Dodo. It is like you must dance to a new tune every day!

    Why are Careers in Information Technology (IT) Performance Based?

    IT Managers hold this truth to be self-evident: your past performance is the best indicator of your future performance.

    So, while IT Managers will appreciate your certifications, degrees and educational qualifications, they will hire you based on how well your past hands-on working experience matches their job opening

    Performance is The Road Map to IT Career Success

    There is no real support for transitioning into a new IT Career. If you are studying to become a medical doctor, the emphasis is on the process ... the quality of your medical training. So, you are examined, tested and certified continuously

    If you are studying to become a database analyst or transitioning to a new IT Role, the emphasis is placed on your performance ... so, you are a database analyst when you can perform the roles and responsibilities of a database analyst comfortably!

    Low Barrier to IT Careers

    This is great because you have no real barrier to pursuing IT Career Success ... you can become a database developer or a business analyst or a software developer or a project manager without additional artificial constraints.

    So, you don't need to get a special license before practicing or a special educational background or attend a special college ... you can literally just perform and succeed overnight!

    Everyone Needs a Road Map

    The reality is that a lot of IT professionals get lost in the jungle of studying by themselves or navigating the challenges of work or gaps left by training vendors or schools!

    Why do IT Workers Fail To Perform?

    • IT workers fail to perform because job requirements are not consistent: Employers sometimes make up their own requirements, job descriptions and performance based tests ... just because they can.

    • IT workers fail to perform because they are unskilled: IT Workers who are not skilled in the roles or tasks they are performing willl under-perform compared to their colleagues. Improving performance in a role requires that one raises the level of skill through consistent and regular practice which is consistent with the research finding Practice Testing Improves Skills

    • IT workers fail to perform because training is not hands-on: IT Managers are unable to realize their training investments whenever hands-on mentoring or coaching is absent from a training curriculum.

    The Solution ... What Really Separates Top IT Performers From Everyone Else?

    New Research findings now tells us that top performers like Tiger Woods or Mozart did not achieve success because of their genes but because they spent a lot of hours rigorously practicing their craft!

    So, join us and learn how to practice, improve and perform ...and leave the mystery, guessing and myths to those who can afford to fail!

    References

    1. Hard Work + Mentoring = Success By Mark McGuinness

    2. Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else By Geoff Colvin

    3. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How By Daniel Coyle

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    ]]>     http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/26/can-you-perform-prove-it/feed/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/26/can-you-perform-prove-it/     Are Statistics Or SQL Skills Required In Data Analyst Careers? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BecomeAProgrammer/~3/NYreTdfk_D0/ http://www.it-career-coach.net/2009/05/26/are-statistics-or-sql-skills-required-in-data-analyst-careers/#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 19:13:13 +0000 Kingsley Tagbo http://www.it-career-coach.net/?p=1499 Ask a Burning Question

    Ask a Burning Question

    This post answers a question about the educational training requirements for a Data Analyst Career.

    If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

    Please, send this post to your friends using the "Tell a Friend" button below. You earn points or cash each time you refer an article to your friends using the Tell a Friend Button.

    Here is the Question:

    I have a degree in Statistics and I am finding it hard to get a data analyst job even though people from other backgrounds are able to get data analyst jobs.

    If you have not studied statistics or you do not have a mathematical background, how could you analyze data accurately?

    I know that there is a difference between presenting data in charts and graphs interpreting data

    I have seen that firms employ data analysts who do not have statistical or data mining training ... so how can they make the critical decisions needed?

    In college I learnt how people without statistical training make errors when they attempt data analysis. However, in the "real world" I see database developers making those same mistakes!

    Do I have to become a database developer to become a data analyst?

    Here is my Answer to the Career Question:

    Yes, your observation is right. There is a difference between learning statistical data analysis in college and becoming a data analyst!

    To understand why a gap exists, you need to look at the data analyst hiring process from the IT Managers view point and not from the "Statistician Looking For Work" view point!

    From the IT Manager's view point, your statistical skills may not adequate for the work at hand because the data you will be analyzing lives in database software systems. You have to be comfortable with accessing and manipulating data stored in databases ... which you can't presently do without employing additional database or sql developers!

    The Gap Between Data Analyst College Education and Data Analyst Careers:

    There is usually a gap between the statistical courses taught in colleges and the real-world data analysis job descriptions posted by hiring managers.

    In college, data analysts are often trained to rely on tools like SAS, Excel and Statistical Data Analysis skills only. In the real world, employers are looking for a combination of data collection skills, relational database design and development skills, data quality skills, data standardization skills, sql data manipulation skills and sql data definition skills and data analysis skills. The statistical data analysis part is needed along with strong database software system skills

    The Gap Between College Education And Real-World IT Careers

    There are usually gaps or differences between college taught courses and real-world IT Career Job Postings. For example there is a gap between:

    1. Getting an MBA and Becoming a Business Analyst

    2. Getting a Computer Science Degree and Becoming a Computer Programmer

    3. Getting a Statistics Degree and Becoming a Data Analyst

    Getting a Statistics Degree in college does not necessarily give you an advantage over someone who directly transitions into the data analysis career by first getting the database development skills or hands-on sql programming experience required for careers in data analysis!

    So, even with your background in statistics, you still need to get the additional database skills, sql skills skills and hands-on data analysis experience required by hiring managers for data analyst careers.

    The Direct Path to Becoming a Data Analyst

    The direct path to becoming a data analyst includes getting a combination of statistical skills, data analysis skills and database skills. So, the requirements for a data analyst career include:

    1. Database Development Skills

    2. SQL Programming Skills

    3. Statistical Skills

    4. Data Analysis Skills

    If you only have statistical skills and you don't have the other skills listed, then you won't be able to get a data analyst job

    So, my recommendation is that you need to get strong database development skills and strong SQL skills because these are usually required in data analyst job postings along with Statistics Data Analysis skills

    NOTE:

    The of hiring Data Analysts is usually done by IT Manager and IT Managers are more familiar with the value of database development skills or SQL programming skills than they are with Statistical tools.

    So, if you really want to get hired as a data analyst, I suggest that you get as comfortable with databases and SQL as you are with Statistics!

    References

    I suggest that you read these articles to get additional background information:

    1. How to Become a Data Analyst

    2. How to Become a Data Analyst or a Report Writer or a Database Developer

    3. The Data Analyst Job Role

    This post answers the question "Are Statistics Or SQL Skills Required In Data Analyst Careers?". If you have a Question about your career, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

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    Ask a Burning Question

    This post answers a reader's question about the educational requirements for becoming a computer programmer.

    If you have a Burning Question or a Challenge that you need help with, be sure to ask your question as a comment on this page and I will answer it fully just as I am answering the question below!

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    Here is the Question:

    Is a computer science college degree required for computer programmer jobs?

    Here is my Answer to this reader's question:

    You are asking this question because you either don't understand how the Information Technology (IT) Industry works or are drawing conclusions from the Medical, Legal or Financial Industry!

    However, here is the answer to your question:

    1. Is a College Degree Required for a Career in Computer Programming?

      Absolutely Not! A computer science college degree is not required for a career in software development or computer programming.

      There are computer programmers without college degrees just as there are computer programmers with college degrees.

      There are computer programmers with high school diplomas as well as computer programmers with PhDs. gained from Ivy League Schools

      There are some computer programmer jobs that require college degrees and computer programmer jobs that do not require college degrees

      The rule of thumb is that if you can write good working code for real business problems then you are a computer programmer!

    2. Is a Computer Science Degree Required for a Career in Computer Programming?

      No, because computer programming jobs are based on talent and skill and not necessarily based on education. Computer programmers come from backgrounds as diverse as Arts, Music, Literature, Law, Medicine etc. If you can write good code for real world problems, you are a computer programmer regardless of your educational background

      There are computer programmers with Computer Science College Degrees who can't or don't code ... just as there are lots of computer programmers who don't have a computer science college degree

    3. Does It Hurt to Have a Computer Science College Degree?

      Nope, because it counts as an acheivement! You can work into an interview room and brag about your college education, etc. However, a college education is not a ticket to a computer programming career.

      If you can afford to go to college and you are young and you are not in a hurry to face the real-world ... then by all means go to college and get a computer science degree!

      There are people that can't get a programming job because they lack the self-confidence to pursue their dreams. They are always inventing reasons why they can't go after their dreams. so, instead of just sitting down to learn programming, they invent reasons why they can't!

      The danger for these group of people is that after spending 4 years in college, they will find another excuse for not pursuing their programming dreams like being too old to get a programming job or lack of programming jobs because of outsourcing!

    4. Is a Special Certificate or License Required for a Career In Computer Programming?

      Absolutely Not! The universal certificate or license required for a computer programming career is hands-on programming experience!

      There are some programming jobs that may require a certificate in Java or .NET or PHP ... but then there are lots of programming jobs that just require that you know how to code

      The universal requirement for computer programming jobs is hands-on programming experience! Not hands-on programming experience from a college or institution ... just plain, vanilla hands-on programming experience !

    NOTE:

    There are some computer programming jobs that require a BS in Computer Science or a Masters or even a PhD. in Computer Science.

    I have also seen some software developer job postings in the New York area that require a college degee from certain prized Ivy League Schools!

    However, you need to ignore these types of programmer jobs and focus on employment postings that are a better match for your specific set of programming skills :-)

    Your Personal Action Plan

    1. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. If you want to become a computer programmer then plan on investing about six months to learn computer programming and another six months on getting intense hands-on coding practice or experience.

    References

    I suggest that you read these articles to get additional background information:

    1. How to Become a Computer Programmer Without a College Degree

    2. How to Get Hands-On Computer Programming Experience

    3. How Effective Is Classroom Training?

    This post answers a question posted by a reader. If you have a Question, Post IT as a comment on this page and I will be sure to answer it for you!

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