The skills Michelle Devaney gained while completing a HDip in Business Systems Analysis (BSA) at South East Technological University (SETU) proved invaluable when applying for business analyst roles. Her learnings have also increased her effectiveness when working on numerous IT transformation projects.
Long Term Benefits
The BSA course at SETU has provided me with a wide range of IT skills relating to software development, working with databases, enterprise applications, coding, web development and data analytics. I believe that the skills that I have learnt over the past couple of years directly meet the skills required for business analyst roles within the employment sector. I am also a better-rounded project manager, and have a solid understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle, analysing business requirements, mapping processes and applying different project methodologies; which will increase my effectiveness when working on IT transformation projects.
"I had taken a career break for a couple of years to raise my young children and relocate to Waterford. This course has provided me with the opportunity and confidence to change my career direction."
SETU Graduate, Michelle Devaney
Return to education
It has been more challenging than I anticipated but in a good way. I feel that I have had exposure to a wide range of subjects within the BSA field, all of which are practical and worthy of the time spent. The assessments are well-paced through the semesters so that they are not overwhelming and the lecturers are very encouraging and supportive and able to balance the differing levels of experience within the group.
There is a significant focus on the practical application of what we have learnt, and many of the assessments were scenario-based e.g. acting like a business for mapping/using systems/producing KPI dashboards in line with their business processes. It makes the theory relevant and provided us with an opportunity to create a portfolio of work examples that could be shown to future employers It has also been great getting to know my lecture group, we have all come from different employment areas, and it was interesting to hear about what we learnt applied practically to their roles.
Transferrable Skills
The course is also designed to improve some of the ‘softer’ transferable skills that are important in the workplace e.g. presentation skills, report writing, teamwork, analytical skills, and time management. On a personal note, I had taken a career break for a couple of years to raise my young children and relocate to Waterford. This course has provided me with the opportunity and confidence to change my career direction. The inclusion of a work placement or work-based project will also mean that I will apply the new skills in a work environment, with the support of SETU.
