Start Your Business Analyst Career

Business analysts use data to identify ways that businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or strengthen processes. Learn how to get started in this growing career path.

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Grow key business analysis skills

University of Pennsylvania

Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Human Resource Strategy, Financial Data, Marketing Analytics, Analytics, Talent Management, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Peer Review, Business Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Customer Insights, Workforce Planning, Demand Planning

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Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Project Management Life Cycle, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Business Analysis, Project Management

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Requirements Elicitation, Business Process Modeling, Business Analysis, Data Presentation, Process Analysis, Resource Allocation, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Stakeholder Management, Process Optimization, Business Requirements, Requirements Management, Data Modeling, Risk Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Analysis

A business analyst uses data to discover new business insights for a company. They typically focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness, and may work across all areas of business, including IT processes, organizational structure, or supply chain management.

At the entry-level, a business analyst may participate in team efforts to identify and prioritize an organization’s functional and technical needs, use SQL and spreadsheet software to conduct data analysis, and create data visualizations and financial models in order to address crucial business questions.

Similar and adjacent roles include IT business analysts, data analysts, business data analysts, supply chain analysts, and business intelligence analysts.

Learn more about entry-level careers in business analysis:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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