With the average salary for a business analyst in the United States reaching above $90,000 per year, more talented, experienced professionals are pursuing business analysis careers than ever before.


But the path is not clear cut. No degree will guarantee you will start in a business analyst role. What's more, few junior-level business analyst jobs exist. Yet every year professionals with experience in other occupations move directly into mid-level and even senior-level business analyst roles.


My promise to you is that this book will help you find your best path forward into a business analyst career. More than that, you will know exactly what to do next to expand your business analysis opportunities.


What's new and noteworthy in the 2015 edition:


The second edition has been re-organized, expanded, and updated for 2015 and includes a new forward by Software Requirements Memory Jogger author Ellen Gottesdiener.


There are two brand-new chapters on career planning along with expanded descriptions of business analyst job roles, a walk-through of a realistic business analyst workday, and discussions of how the latest certifications fit into your career plan.


Here's what's included in How to Start a Business Analyst Career:

What It's Like To Be A Business Analyst - Learn what a business analyst really is, experience a realistic sample work day, and receive answers to dozens of FAQs.

What You Need to Know About Business Analysis - Decipher the key skills a new business analyst needs to be successful in this career.

How to Expand Your Business Analysis Experience - Receive dozens of ideas for how to gain valuable business analysis work experience, whether you are in a technical role, business role, or unemployed.

How to Connect With Business Analyst Professionals - Learn how to leverage the strength of the business analysis community to accelerate your career.

Focus On The Right Business Analyst Role For You - Eliminate the perplexity of today's business analyst job descriptions, by absorbing the descriptions of the most common types of business analyst roles.

Your Career Transition Strategy - Confidently decide on your best path into business analysis.

Move Toward Your Business Analyst Career Goals - Create a career transition plan that helps you experience success sooner than you might expect.

What's more, as you use How to Start a Business Analyst Career to plan your next step, you'll be able to download a BA Resource Pack full of electronic worksheets that walk you step-by-step through the planning process.