Is Business Analytics Right For Me?

Business Analytics is currently a popular profession across the U.S. As businesses continue to see the value in the data they’ve been collecting, this profession will likely remain popular in the future. However, how do you know if being a Business Analyst is the best career choice for you? This article will break down some of the skills you need to be a successful Business Analyst and pose some questions to ask yourself to determine if you would be a good match for this profession.

What Do Business Analysts Actually Do?

Organizations hire Business Analysts to gather business-related data, observe and measure business performance across departments, and offer conclusions and suggestions aimed at helping the organization improve efficiency and make greater profits. Often, this involves spotting problems in various departments, problem-solving using statistical techniques or methods, and setting new goals for the organization. Business Analysts play an integral role in shaping the future of their organization.

Is Business Analytics Right for Me?

Working as a Business Analyst is both a challenging and rewarding career, especially for those interested in solving significant problems. Most Business Analysts work in a fast-paced, constantly evolving work environment that demands continuous assessment and improvement. While some find this line of work extremely rewarding, it isn’t for everyone. If you are deciding whether to pursue a career as a Business Analyst but aren’t sure if it’s a good match, consider asking yourself the following questions to decide whether it’s right for you:

Do you like to collaborate?

A significant portion of a Business Analyst’s work time is spent meeting with those in other departments, observing employees within the organization, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to identify and fix problems. Because so much of this job depends on interpersonal and collaborative skills, it’s essential to be a clear communicator to perform this role successfully.

Are you able to also work independently?

Not only must successful Business Analysts have the ability to collaborate with others regularly, but they must also be comfortable working on their own. Most Business Analysts spend a large portion of time working independently on projects and initiatives. Some estimate that two-thirds of a Business Analyst’s day is spent working alone. If you consider yourself self-motivated and disciplined to accomplish tasks without constant supervision, then a profession in business analytics may be a good match for you.

Do you want a dynamic job?

A business analytics career is a dynamic type of employment. Each day presents new challenges, meeting environments, opinions to juggle, and goals to accomplish. Therefore, to be a successful Business Analyst, you will have to thrive in a work environment that is constantly in flux. In addition, because so much of a Business Analyst’s job involves communicating and collaborating with those from different departments with different skills and training, you will acquire new, necessary knowledge every day. 

Are you good at spotting patterns?

Most Business Analysts spend a good amount of time analyzing business data. They not only want to spot patterns but to make sense of these patterns so that they can benefit the organization. For individuals whose brains are wired to locate patterns in information that others may perceive as random, business analytics may be a good career option for you.

Do you like to solve problems?

If you can look at a piece of software or a website and immediately think of ways a professional could improve it, your problem-solving mindset could be helpful in a role as a Business Analyst. Not only do Business Analysts focus on identifying and articulating organizational problems, but they also must propose viable solutions. 

Are you inquisitive by nature?

Knowing which questions to ask, as well as whom to question, is an essential part of being a Business Analyst. The questioning process usually involves clearly articulating what a problem involves, which employees, customers, or processes are affected by the problem, and why this problem is a pressing concern. The more pointed these inquiries are, the better off you will be finding solutions.

Do you value a good paycheck?

Although working as a Business Analyst is a demanding career, you can expect a good paycheck for your efforts. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report directly on the pay rate of Business Analysts using this title; instead, it calculates salaries for various occupational titles, like Computer Analyst or Financial Analyst. Business analysts are typically compensated well for their efforts regardless of their professional focus. In 2023, the average Business Analyst working in the U.S. makes approximately $104,000 a year, and the top ten percent of Business Analysts earn around $180,000.

Do you have the follow-through to implement ideas?

A Business Analyst is often involved with much more than coming up with a good idea to help with business operations; they also have to see it through from conception to completion. This process isn’t always quick and can take weeks or even months. It’s vital for Business Analysts to have the follow-through to remain focused on fixing a problem, even when everyone else’s attention has shifted to other issues.

Are you comfortable being a leader?

Business analysts are good collaborators, problem-solvers, and self-motivated multi-taskers, and they also serve as leaders of sorts within their organization. Because a Business Analyst’s work can involve evaluating processes across the entire organization, they regularly have to correspond with those working in different departments. Along with these responsibilities comes the power of knowing your suggestions will affect multiple stakeholders. A successful Business Analyst will therefore have a solid moral compass and can set their ego aside in service of the larger picture.

If you answered “yes” to most of the questions above, then a career in business analytics is a great option to consider.

Learn More About Business Analytics by Enrolling in Hands-on Classes

If you’re interested in studying business analytics, a variety of courses are available for beginners as well as more advanced students. Noble’s Business Analyst Certificate is a great learning option for any aspiring Business Analyst. Relevant tools and skills such as data analysis, Excel, Tableau, and SQL are covered in this hands-on program. Those enrolled in this intensive course can elect to study online or in person in Manhattan. For those who wish to pursue the marketing side of business, Noble also has a 126-hour Digital Marketing Certificate and a 72-hour Social Media Marketing Certificate as well. 

In addition, those searching for learning options close to home can also use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to search more than 250 live online and in-person business analytics courses in topics such as SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel for Business, among others.