Transition from Data/Business Analyst to IT

Hopefully I'm posting in the correct area, forgive me if not.

Currently have a B.S. in CIS from a well-known university, and have been in the financial industry, same company, for close to 9 years. Currently doing high-level data analysis (identify trends, opportunities, etc) for high-level executives, IE glorified Excel monkey, with some dabbling in SQL Server via queries every so often.

I'm looking to get into a more technical role where I can eventually branch off into consulting, etc (long term goal). Problem is, I'm not sure if I should pursue the info sec/sys admin niche from the ground up, since I don't have much experience but I do have much interest. It might entail me taking a large pay-cut after spending time getting certs and entering into an entry level position as time, finances, and family constraints permit.

OR

Leverage my existing knowledge and just continue down the path of analytics and just pursue info sec as a hobby. Hoping to get those with experience in info sec or network/sys admin's perspectives on how rewarding their careers are. I'm just afraid that continuing to put off experience in any of these more technical roles will hurt me longer-term if I do try and make the jump.

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Comments

The Technomancer

If you enjoy the data manipulation part of your job, it would seem that the best path for you to go down is the big data route -- Hadoop, MapReduce, etc. There's a large, growing market for that, and you have to enjoy bending data to your will to put in the time needed to excel at it.

Cloudera offers training on Hadoop administration and uses for it, and they do offer certifications.

Data analytics drive everything from advertising to videogames -- people who can extract useful data from the piles of metrics that get collected are highly, highly valued.

plastike

The Technomancer wrote: »

If you enjoy the data manipulation part of your job, it would seem that the best path for you to go down is the big data route -- Hadoop, MapReduce, etc. There's a large, growing market for that, and you have to enjoy bending data to your will to put in the time needed to excel at it.

Cloudera offers training on Hadoop administration and uses for it, and they do offer certifications.

Data analytics drive everything from advertising to videogames -- people who can extract useful data from the piles of metrics that get collected are highly, highly valued.

Thanks Technomancer, hadn't realized Cloudera offered certs. I may end up continuing this route given experience and time. I'd assume additional knowledge of network security and scripting could only help in the grand scheme of things, and maybe get the basic net+/sec+ down the road if paid for - who knows, maybe consulting on data analytics for info sec firms is in my long-term future?

The Technomancer

Scripting and a programming language (Java's the popular one around big data at this time)? It'll definitely help, and you'll probably be asked to display your expertise on those topics during an interview for a job like that. Having an understanding of networking and security will help you construct proper software for the jobs, but the certs aren't going to do much insofar as landing you an interview for a gig like that. I won't discourage you from educating yourself on topics you find interesting, but I do caution you to research the positions you want to shoot for and see what certs and skills they want.

N2IT

@ Plastike I am currently a Data Analyst/Business Analyst so I thought I would chime in. I like you work a ton in Excel all day every day it's quite disgusting how good you get at it. However I have been given a sandbox environment to build views and stored procedures which helps me learn the SQL piece. I also leverage VBA a ton as of late, ~6 month or so. Anyway it sounds like you could go the way of system analyst or even database developer or admin depending on how much and what you get to touch. One of our BA's who has a BS in Actuarial Science has become an amazing database developer. In fact as soon as she get's some years of service she is switching gears and going straight development. (Just saying) Anyway you have a large assortment of skills it sounds like so I would consider development if you can continue to grown your SQL knowledge. Either way good luck on your journey it's good to see some analyst around these parts.