How Do I Become a Management Analyst?

A four-year degree usually is required to become a management analyst, and it can help to have a graduate degree along with certification from a professional organization. The more training and certifications a management analyst has, the more job opportunities that will be available, especially in the private sector, where competition for positions can be ferocious. Many colleges and universities offer degree programs to prepare students for work in the business world.

Management analysts offer consulting services to companies that want to improve efficiency, expand in an effective way or address structural and organizational problems. A person who plans to become a management analyst needs good communication skills as well as the ability to be attentive and observant. It also helps to be familiar with a specific industry, because industry experience is often necessary for making the best management and restructuring recommendations.

The first step for a person who wants to become a management analyst is earning a bachelor's degree in business, marketing or a similar field. If possible, students might want to consider internships in management and administration to start developing connections. Students who have four-year degrees might be able to start working in entry-level positions to acquire skills and experience. Jobs in management and planning positions can provide valuable experience that might serve a management analyst well later in life. With three to five years of experience, a management analyst can apply for some kinds of job openings.

More job opportunities will be available to a management analyst who has a master's degree, like a master of business administration (MBA). Such certifications also can allow for better pay and benefits. A person who wants to become a management analyst in the private sector might need such a degree to succeed, because private companies often expect advanced degrees from applicants. Membership in a professional organization can also be helpful, because it alerts employers to a commitment to ongoing training and skill development.

With a degree and professional certifications, a person who has become a management analyst might be able to find a wide variety of employment opportunities. Experience in diverse settings can help him or her build up skills and a client list. Analysts might also want to consider asking for recommendations from pleased clients. These can be added to a professional portfolio to impress prospective clients and provide important information about the analyst's competency and level of familiarity with a given industry.