As a recruiter for the G10 Associates Program, I exclusively recruit college students and recent college grads. For the vast majority of candidates I work with, this is their first time preparing for and conducting a “real” job search, and as expected, many of these candidates have questions relating to career preparation and the interview process.
In the “Ask A Recruiter” series, I answer some of the most common questions I receive:
Q: I am going into my senior year and interested in pursuing a career in IT Business Analysis. My degree is in an unrelated field, what can I do this year to improve my relevant skills?
A: Good news! You still have at least three different ways you can start to build skills in Business Analysis:
1. Internship or on-campus jobs: You can often find open positions around campus or with local organizations to begin building IT skills. Focus on positions that will provide you exposure to technology systems such as working at your school IT help desk, taking a part-time position in a department office, or potentially finding an internship. Skills in Data Analysis are very relevant and any kind of professional communication experience will look great on your resume.
2. Campus clubs & groups: Many students are members of on campus clubs where they do not take on leadership roles. Take the opportunity this year to sign up for a committee and assist in event planning or group leadership. You can often join clubs unrelated to your major such as consulting club, MIS club, technology club, etc. Invest time into these groups above attending just the meetings. These groups can provide you access to local professionals and organizations who often engage with these groups through case studies or presentations.
3. Electives: If you still have time to register for one or two electives focus on taking course work in technology such as intro to programming, system design and development, intro to management Information systems. Even one course can provide you with skills that can set you apart from your peers.
Your senior year can provide you with the opportunity to network and build skills, take advantage of the resources you have at you school and in your local community.
Have a question you’d like answered? Send an email with the subject line "Ask a Recruiter" to g10associates@genesis10.com.
Tara is passionate about helping college graduates and career changers launch meaningful careers in technology. She provides expert guidance across both technical and managerial paths, ensuring talent is prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
Since joining Genesis10 in 2010, Tara has held a variety of leadership roles, including National Director of Emerging Talent Programs and Recruiting Lead for the G10 Associates Program. She co-created the Dev10 program in 2018, which has since launched the careers of more than 1,600 software developers and data analysts. Under her leadership, Dev10 has expanded nationwide, serving nearly 50 client companies and earning the 2023 Campus Forward Award for excellence in early career hiring.
Tara’s leadership is grounded in her belief in the unlimited potential of people and her commitment to building sustainable, scalable workforce solutions. Her work has been recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts, who named her to their 40 Under 40 list.
Before Genesis10, Tara worked at Honda of America Manufacturing, where she led college recruiting and internship programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a focus on Management and Human Resources from Indiana University Bloomington.
Outside of her role at Dev10, Tara serves as Chairperson of the Executive Advisory Board on Curriculum for Management Information Systems at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. She is also a frequent speaker on topics such as workforce innovation and diversity in tech.