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George Brown College -Information Systems Business Analyst

dks2323

Star Member
Aug 13, 2013
196
42
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hi @dks2323, I've read through all your replies and it really clears a lot of doubt.

I am a recent PR to Canada landed on 18th July, I have done my MBA in Finance and have 8 years of experience in Back Office Operations as a Business Support Specialist in India, workex nowhere related to that of a BA or IT role. I have done a BA certificate course in India as I was and am thinking of shifting my career to Business Analysis because I found it's in high demand in Canada. I researched about GBCs BA 1 year program and also stumbled upon this thread that I read in detail which has clear explanation from you that this course won't get you a BA job but your previous experience will. Since I do not have any exp as a BA it's not worthwhile then taking up this course.
I'm finding it difficult to land a job in my field and my friends here and relatives too are suggesting to study a year long Graduate certificate program like this and once I have Canadian Education I'll have better standing to get a job. But it doesn't look that easy and isn't any guarantee that I'll get a job after that too.

I was preparing for GMAT back in India to apply for executive MBA in either US or Canada that's when I came to know about this PR thingy and applied for it and got it in 5 months. After getting PR I was sure I will get a job in Canada so completely stopped GMAT prep, now that I am with no job and these graduate cert program which are easily offered to almost anyone I don't see any other option than starting my prep for GMAT and after that apply for MBA programs.

I don't have any specific question here but just want an advice would you suggest that MBA route will be the best choice or going for relevant Graduate certificate program of my field where my experience will be counted?

Thanks in advance
This course can prepare you for BA interview but without prior experience you might not get a good job in BA role. There were very very few folks in my class who got the BA job because of this course.

You may consider to rewrite your resume to show some previous BA exp and this course may help you with BA terms and interview. But do you really want to spend one full year and money just to prepare for the BA intw ?

If you prepare well for your interview and rewrite your resume to show previous BA exp, I am sure you'll land somewhere good with such a good experience that you already have.
BA interviews are pretty straight forward. Everyone would ask you behavioural questions and there is a set of questions that you can find anywhere on google. Just try to map those questions with your previous experience and have a good story ready to support your answer. Confidence is the key and how well you convince the interviewer with your answer.

And if I were you and had the money (read 80-100K CAD) then I would have done my MBA.

Its just been a month for you in Canada so dont be disheartened, it may take some time to get a decent job. I think that you thought that you would get a job easily here and that thing might have back fired. So my suggestion would be to

1) Wait for some more time to get a job either in your field or BA or whatever you would like to do.
2) Rewrite your resume with some prior experience of whatever field you want to get into. I used "visualcv.com" and got the paid accont to build my resume. So if you like register yourself on this and then dont pay upfront. You'll get their mail in couple of days to get it for discounted price (18 dollars for 3 months). There are different resume templates that you can use.
3) Dont jump to the conclusion of doing diploma courses because thats one year worth of time or MBA because that's a lot of money. Give it a good thought and then go for it if you have to.

And many things depend on your situation as well (single, married, married with a kid, you have the money and many more)

Hope it helps...PM me your number if you want to chat.
 

Nishchay

Newbie
Apr 20, 2019
4
0
Hi ,

I'm from India and currently working as a software engineer with 3 years of Work Experience ( in coding )

I am now thinking of transitioning into the field of business analyst.

I just stumbled upon this Business Analysis course from GBC and just curious if someone could assist / share their advice regarding the course.

I would like to know the following :

Point 1 : Having zero prior experience in BA is it advisable for me to go ahead with this course?
I do 3 have years of experience as a software engineer though.

Point 2 : What is the job scenario after completing this course ?

Point 3 : How good are the Co-op opportunities ?

Any help/ advice would really be appreciated

Thanks
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Hi ,

I'm from India and currently working as a software engineer with 3 years of Work Experience ( in coding )

I am now thinking of transitioning into the field of business analyst.

I just stumbled upon this Business Analysis course from GBC and just curious if someone could assist / share their advice regarding the course.

I would like to know the following :

Point 1 : Having zero prior experience in BA is it advisable for me to go ahead with this course?
I do 3 have years of experience as a software engineer though.

Point 2 : What is the job scenario after completing this course ?

Point 3 : How good are the Co-op opportunities ?

Any help/ advice would really be appreciated

Thanks
Hi,

1. Actually the course is designed for people having zero to minimal experience in BA field, as it covers all aspects of BA profession in industry at an introductry level. The course is comprehensive, although not as intensive. Any technical background would certainly be a plus because the course is primarily designed for IT Business Analysis.

2. and 3. : Co-op is the best part about this program, apart from the connections you get to build in the course. A lot of banks, consulting firms and startups accept co-op applications, and industry is trying to welcome more students. That said, the course serves 30% of its purpose in this regard by course content. Rest 70% would be your own profile, resume, cover letter, networking skills, interviewing skills and active lookout for opportunities. The college does assist through its career centre, portfolio development classes and the job portal; but the key is taking ownership of the job search process and being pro-active.

Feel free to follow up with further questions or concerns.

(For the stats:) I am a 2018 alumnus of the course. I had gotten a (paid) internship at a startup in the first semester, pursued co-op at the same place, and now been working there full-time as an IT Business Analyst for last 1 year. Apart from this, I had received 5 co-op interview calls, 2 co-op job offers and one FT job offer after the course. Also, >50% of my batch (winter intake) had gotten co-op offers.

Best,
Anir
 
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Reactions: Nishchay

Nishchay

Newbie
Apr 20, 2019
4
0
Hi,

1. Actually the course is designed for people having zero to minimal experience in BA field, as it covers all aspects of BA profession in industry at an introductry level. The course is comprehensive, although not as intensive. Any technical background would certainly be a plus because the course is primarily designed for IT Business Analysis.

2. and 3. : Co-op is the best part about this program, apart from the connections you get to build in the course. A lot of banks, consulting firms and startups accept co-op applications, and industry is trying to welcome more students. That said, the course serves 30% of its purpose in this regard by course content. Rest 70% would be your own profile, resume, cover letter, networking skills, interviewing skills and active lookout for opportunities. The college does assist through its career centre, portfolio development classes and the job portal; but the key is taking ownership of the job search process and being pro-active.

Feel free to follow up with further questions or concerns.

(For the stats:) I am a 2018 alumnus of the course. I had gotten a (paid) internship at a startup in the first semester, pursued co-op at the same place, and now been working there full-time as an IT Business Analyst for last 1 year. Apart from this, I had received 5 co-op interview calls, 2 co-op job offers and one FT job offer after the course. Also, >50% of my batch (winter intake) had gotten co-op offers.

Best,
Anir

Thanks Aniruddh !

Because i was very skeptical of the post course job scenario .

May i also know what can be the expected average salary packages if we do land a job after ?
As mentioned, i do have 3 years of Working Experience as a Software Engineer.

Regards
Nishchay
 
Last edited:

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Thanks Aniruddh !

Because i was very skeptical of the post course job scenario .

May i also know what can be the expected average salary packages if we do land a job after ?
As mentioned, i do have 3 years of Working Experience as a Software Engineer.

Regards
Nishchay
I'd say post course scenario is good in itself, but you got to do the right things and strive!

Co-op salaries can range from minimum wage ($14/hr) to ($22/hr ~= 44K per annum). Statistically, median co-op salaries in Ontario are 38K per annum.

After co-op term, the range expands depending on your experience in the field and more parameters; so the equation is not very linear.
For a fuzzy idea though => I have seen bigger banks and consulting firms offering ~50K for a junior analyst, ~60K for an intermediate analyst and ~75K for consultants i.e. Senior Analysts. Smaller companies usually offer less for obvious reasons.
 

soodabeh

Newbie
May 10, 2019
8
0
Hello,
This is my first comment :D
Currently, I have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering (software), with more than 10 years of working experience, and I am interested in studying Information Business System Analysis Postgraduate Certificate at George Brown College. I have some questions:

1- Eligibility for getting PGWP (post-graduation work permit) after this certificate and its length.
2- The percentage of online delivery sessions of this certificate for Jan 2020 intake.
3- I should provide:
  • Translated and attested copies of Degree or Diploma.
  • Translated and attested copies of University/College transcript.
So I do not need the WES assessment?

Please help me.
thank you.
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Hello,
This is my first comment :D
Currently, I have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering (software), with more than 10 years of working experience, and I am interested in studying Information Business System Analysis Postgraduate Certificate at George Brown College. I have some questions:

1- Eligibility for getting PGWP (post-graduation work permit) after this certificate and its length.
2- The percentage of online delivery sessions of this certificate for Jan 2020 intake.
3- I should provide:
  • Translated and attested copies of Degree or Diploma.
  • Translated and attested copies of University/College transcript.
So I do not need the WES assessment?

Please help me.
thank you.
Hi,

1. You qualify for 1 year PGWP

2. Online delivery is practically 20-30% but it doesn't affect the criterion of PGWP etc. that you might be wondering about. The course qualifies technically as a one year program in a SPP college.

3. Not sure. You can provide both to be safe. If not, just a degree/diploma and marksheets (if you can't obtain transcripts) should be enough. For Express Entry/WES evaluation, you'll need transcripts though.

I don't think you need WES assessment for the college admission (I didn't have to get it done). It's needed for PR/Express Entry later.

Best,
Anir
 
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Reactions: soodabeh

soodabeh

Newbie
May 10, 2019
8
0
Hi,

1. You qualify for 1 year PGWP

2. Online delivery is practically 20-30% but it doesn't affect the criterion of PGWP etc. that you might be wondering about. The course qualifies technically as a one year program in a SPP college.

3. Not sure. You can provide both to be safe. If not, just a degree/diploma and marksheets (if you can't obtain transcripts) should be enough. For Express Entry/WES evaluation, you'll need transcripts though.

I don't think you need WES assessment for the college admission (I didn't have to get it done). It's needed for PR/Express Entry later.

Best,
Anir
Thank you very much.
I know that if the online classes are more than 50 %, I won't be qualified for PGWP. That's why it was important to me.
 

Mavdh

Newbie
Feb 26, 2018
4
0
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the wonderful contributions so far.
I'm planning on taking this program while working at my current job. Could any of the present or past students please share the time the In-class lectures usually starts on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays?
Thanks
 

pdcanadapr

Newbie
Mar 13, 2018
6
1
Hello Everyone,

This is my first comment here, I have recently got an offer fort T-405 Information System Business Analysis program from GBC for Fall 2019. I have total 11 years experience in Sales and Marketing (Banking & Real Estate in India) and currently in Canada on PR with full time job, I wish to leave Real estate and move to IT or Business Analyst role.

1. Do you think I am taking a wise decision of pursuing this course?
2. Is it possible to attend classes since I am working full time?
3. Do we need IT background to pursue this course?

I am all excited to pursue this course but it's better to know few things before hand to avoid any surprises :)

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Parag Agarwal
 

Mavdh

Newbie
Feb 26, 2018
4
0
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the wonderful contributions so far.
I'm planning on taking this program while working at my current job. Could any of the present or past students please share the time the In-class lectures usually starts on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays?
Thanks
Anybody, please?
 

Felix4freeddm

Full Member
Mar 7, 2017
24
0
Hello Everyone,

This is my first comment here, I have recently got an offer fort T-405 Information System Business Analysis program from GBC for Fall 2019. I have total 11 years experience in Sales and Marketing (Banking & Real Estate in India) and currently in Canada on PR with full time job, I wish to leave Real estate and move to IT or Business Analyst role.

1. Do you think I am taking a wise decision of pursuing this course?
2. Is it possible to attend classes since I am working full time?
3. Do we need IT background to pursue this course?

I am all excited to pursue this course but it's better to know few things before hand to avoid any surprises :)

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Parag Agarwal

Hey Parag,

I have enrolled for the same course as well and have no prior IT experience, except as a user and maybe a little juggling with the IT team for some testing of the final outcome for systems, which is very minimal. We both have the same background almost, real estate customer service here and banking now in Canada, but customer service.

I am joining the fall 2019 batch. Would be great to connect with you.

Cheers
-Felix
 

Priyanka0390

Star Member
Nov 5, 2017
57
9
Guys I have an experience in banking and now I am PR in Canada.I am also thinking of enrolling for the same course so that it would make a little difference in my resume but I don't have an experience in business analysis,it's just general banking.Am I eligible for this course??
For other courses it would be too late as they will start in Sept'20.
Any suggestions??