Business Analysis training, the inside scoop: An interview with Tolase
We all enjoy a success story, particularly in the current climate, so I recently spoke to Tolase, one of our recent graduates of the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis to find out how she found the course, and about her plans for the future.
A complete career change
I asked Tolase about her decision to move from her career as a make-up artist and train to become a Business Analyst.
“It all started in October 2020 when I went to Marks & Spencer for a cup of tea in between lockdowns. I picked up a lifestyle and fashion magazine to read over my drink and discovered an article about a day in the life of Jodie Blake, a lady working in the fashion business. In the article she mentioned that she woke up every morning and read a magazine called the Business of Fashion.”
At the time, Tola would wake up and read the Economist every morning, and this article was an eye-opener.
“I thought to myself, why am I reading about economics every morning, when I could be reading about the business of fashion?”
Intrigued, she went online to find out more. Clicking on a career link on the Business of Fashion website showed her that the majority of vacancies available in the sector that had so intrigued her were for Business Analysts or Data Analysts.
Tolase had no idea what these roles involved, and not one to sit on a decision, immediately bought four books from Amazon and began learning about the Business Analyst role.
Finding a course that suits
Tola soon realised that she would need take accredited exams before she could begin her chosen career, and began researching qualifications.
“The BCS (Chartered Institute for IT) Business Analysis book was the best I had bought from Amazon, so I went on the BCS website and researched courses. Most of the course suppliers didn’t provide much information on the site, but Amatis Training listed both its pricing and the structure of its courses, giving me everything I needed to know at a glance. I gave Martin Maya (the founder of Amatis Training) a call and spoke to him about the course and what I would need to gain my Business Analyst qualification.”
Since Tolase had already absorbed much of the information needed for the exams, Martin suggested she complete the online instructor-led Foundation in Business Analysis course, which was a three-day course run by an instructor, who is also a BCS examiner.
“The instructor-led approach was perfect,” she says, “as there was someone available on zoom to answer any questions I had face-to-face.”
Tolase passed first time, and quickly went on to pass the other courses needed to gain her International Diploma in Business Analysis. Impressively, Tolase passed all of her written exams in January 2021, and the oral exam in April 2021, despite having to study throughout the lockdown, as well as look after her young sons.
Tolase also used the Amatis Training app, about which she enthuses. “I would listen to the app as I was going through the day, whether driving, cooking; living! The app was my best friend all through the journey!”
A challenging, enjoyable course
Tolase is thrilled with her experience of the course, and says that the exams were exactly as she had been led to expect from Martin’s training. She feels the course was structured brilliantly, providing her with information at the right ‘dosage’, never giving her the chance to feel overwhelmed or bored.
“The course really helps you to comprehend what a Business Analyst does, and Martin teaches you the broader perspective of the role. He really helped me to feel confident about applying what I’ve learnt.”
Finding motivation
When asked what motivated her to make this change, and so quickly, she replies:
“I kept looking at my goal. I am working towards a job that will make me happy. I wanted to come out of lockdown a better and more fulfilled person in my career. I asked myself what I loved, and I love fashion – the business of fashion. I love everything about it, and I want to build my career in an area I love!
“There was feeling of ‘what if’ before I started. People say that the older you get, the more you have to work to get your brain to function properly. But I now think there is no such thing as a good or bad brain, just a trained or untrained one. Amatis Training has trained my brain, and made the whole process simple.”
Recommending Amatis Training
I asked Tolase if she would recommend the course to others, and her response is immediate:
“I have definitely been recommending the course. I am a part of lots of different groups and platforms online, and I have been telling everyone about Amatis!
“I have told my friends that they should take this course, as I wouldn’t expect my friends to settle for anything less!”
Looking towards the future
Tolase is clearly both passionate and excited as she talks about her plans for the future. She has started looking for and applying to her dream jobs, and is also working on a volunteer project to continue to hone her skills. She feels that it is only a matter of time before she reaches her goal. “Before the course I didn’t have the confidence to push myself onto a company. Now I feel I would be an asset to any organisation, thanks to Amatis Training.”
Amatis Training – what we offer
Amatis Training provides BCS accredited Business Analysis training and consultancy courses, mentoring and support at foundation, practitioner, and professional levels.
For more information about Business Analyst certification and the courses available, take a look at the Amatis Training website at www.amatistraining.com, or fill in the contact form for the chance to discuss the courses further with an expert.