Comments on: How Do I Become an IT BA If I Don’t Have an IT Background?

By: Laura Brandenburg

Laura Brandenburg — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:13:36 +0000

In reply to Rick H. Wow, Rick! Thanks for sharing that experience! I am honored to have your comments here.

By: Rick H

Rick H — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:28:09 +0000

I was involved in Laura’s inaugural MyBACareer.com program and would highly recommend that you consider joining the program. I’m an ex commercial banker and learned more from her program about BA than I did in my graduate work in MIS and in classes taken at a local IIBA certified education provider. If you’re serious, you should utilize the program!

Best of luck!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:46:44 +0000

In reply to Bennett. This is really good advice. I work in IT, and there is nothing more frustrating than being treated like what you're saying doesn't matter. IT professionals understand the contrainsts of the systems that they program. It's like their baby. They may or may not have a clear understanding of the business. If there is a compromise, both sides have to be willing to explore it in a respectable manner.

By: Laura Brandenburg

Laura Brandenburg — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:58:17 +0000

In reply to Gary. Great idea Gary! That seems like just the kind of overview a potential IT BA needs, without the overhead of an IT certification or other intensive program. Glad to hear it helped you make your case and kudos for finding a practical solution to building this knowledge!

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:08:46 +0000

One suggestion I would make is to check out a basic Programming Design and Logic course at a local community or Jr. college. I took that course and found that it was a great way to understand in generalities how programs were designed, and helped me brush up on flow charting and use case skills as well as thinking normal business processes through in and communicating them in an understandable manner.

Another benefit from taking the course was it legitimized my “picked up” IT knowledge and showed potential employers that I was serious about the BA role and my willingness and interest in learning new things.