Getting started in Business Analysis as a mature student

Hello everyone!

I graduated with a BA in Business Management in November last year as a mature student. Since then I've identified Business Analysis as a really good fit for me, so I'm pursuing opportunities through which to realise that career path.

However, I have not managed to get any interviews, despite applying to many junior roles. Granted, some roles -- even the junior roles -- have required certain skills and experience I do not have (and can only achieve through a BA role), but I applied anyway and hoped my cover letter and CV being tailored towards Business Analysis would help demonstrate how serious I am about this profession.

Does anyone have advice on how to get into Business Analysis? Is there something mature students without the relevant experience can do? Even unpaid internships seem difficult to attain. I've started to lose hope so any assistance would be appreciated!

Cheers

BA means different things to different people - do you mean the kinds of BAs that write SQL/interrogate data and produce dashboards/slide decks/reports, or the kind of BA that is the interface between software engineers and the client?

Hey! Thanks for the response!

I mean the latter sort. I have a friend who works for a banking group and describes the role more as asking questions and making sure the different groups are working to task (for the client). That's definitely what I'm more suited to and would actually really enjoy it, I think.

Any advice would be appreciated as I'm at a loss!

Hm. It'll be difficult without prior experience through internships. Is your friend also a BA? Can he, or anyone you know that works for a company with junior BA openings refer you for the position to skip the early HR stages? I know you've mentioned that you have been unsuccessful with graduate schemes already, but do keep trying them in addition to referrals and general job applications. It's a foot in the door, and some technology grad schemes will include a rotation in BA or roles similar to it.

Have you demonstrated any prior knowledge/interest in BA with a degree like Business Management? Have you read any books, understand any of the processes etc?

As you are a recent graduate, you may have access to your alma mater's careers service - get in touch with any of the advisors that specialise in technology recruiting if they exist and get them to review your CV, cover letter, and see if they are aware of any opportunities or folks you can contact.

Hey, great response, thanks!

My friend is indeed a BA but the training-placement company he went through isn't taking applications, and my applications with comparable companies didn't go anywhere (and lots seem to have pretty bad reputations, and all sorts of strange contractual obligations). He actually put me in touch with a colleague and there was a job opportunity, but the colleague completely ignored my intro email and the follow-up. Very disappointing for my friend, as well as myself, but shows how inpenetrable the job market has become if even contacts don't even have the courtesy to respond!

I could try the OU's service, actually -- I'll contact them...good idea...

Yeah, my degree was Business Management, which has so much cross-over with the BA field, but employers aren't biting, unfortunately.

Another thing I can do is ask my friend for any internship opportunities.

Ah.. yeah - you probably want to avoid those companies which offer "training" and then loan you out as a consultant/contractor to other firms. Looking at normal graduate schemes at a single company is far better - keep an eye out on Gradcracker and look out for roles such as technology graduate, technology graduate analyst etc - like I said, you won't be a BA all the time during these schemes but they should have a rotation in it, and that would be how you can break in.

Hello everyone!

I graduated with a BA in Business Management in November last year as a mature student. Since then I've identified Business Analysis as a really good fit for me, so I'm pursuing opportunities through which to realise that career path.

However, I have not managed to get any interviews, despite applying to many junior roles. Granted, some roles -- even the junior roles -- have required certain skills and experience I do not have (and can only achieve through a BA role), but I applied anyway and hoped my cover letter and CV being tailored towards Business Analysis would help demonstrate how serious I am about this profession.

Does anyone have advice on how to get into Business Analysis? Is there something mature students without the relevant experience can do? Even unpaid internships seem difficult to attain. I've started to lose hope so any assistance would be appreciated!

Cheers