One of our graduates, who is also a guide at our Academy, successfully secured a placement after completing the course with Stride.
Where are you currently employed?
I work for a major bank in the United States.
Can you describe your overall experience with the BA course at Stride Academy?
My experience in Stride was challenging but enjoyable. I never felt bored and constantly felt as though I was leveling up different parts of myself as I went through the course. I was growing my knowledge base, expanding my presentation/speaking skills, improving my interview skills to name a few. I have also created life long friendships and garnered ability to mentor others on not just business analyst related topics but general life skills. It was an amazing experience overall.
What were the most valuable aspects of the program for you?
The most valuable part of the program for me is the mentorship I am provided with even after the end of the program. Anytime I have a question about how to navigate workplace relationships (be it with my boss, my coworkers/teammates etc) I can ask my mentor who then advises me and points me in the right direction. If I am encountering a difficulty at work in terms of content my mentor is able to guide me as needed to the answer. It’s so nice to not feel alone while starting a new career.
How did the course content and structure meet your expectations?
As someone who thinks traditional schooling inherently lacks real world building skills Stride turned education on its head. The content was easily digestible, I didn’t feel I was just being given busy work or being taught material I won’t ever use, and I actually got to learn hands on through workshops. The hands on workshops allowed me to showcase my comprehension with an instructor to guide me where I was going wrong. I loved getting live feedback in workshops, or during presentations. Overall the content and structure exceeded my expectation.
Which skills or knowledge areas from the course have been most beneficial in your new job?
Everything I learned in the course has been applied to my new job. What I mean by this is the skills I developed with being comfortable to ask questions, documentation and artifact creation, the ability to think critically, and the tips for how to speak in a corporate setting professionally. As someone who has never had a corporate jobs I didn’t just learn the BA skills required for IT but also real world skills that can be applied to any job in and outside the field.
Can you provide an example of how you applied something you learned in the course to your job?
My job is really specific in the way that they want a story (ticket) written. I have to write Value statements, and Acceptance Criteria in the Gherkin format. These were the exact things that the program taught me so when I was asked “Do you know how to write acceptance criteria in the gherkin format?” I didn’t hesitate to say yes! I was surprised to learn that a lot of people on the team didn’t even know what that was. I felt ahead of the game right on day 3 of my job.
How would you rate the support you received from instructors and staff during the program?
11/10 I never felt alone during this journey nor did I feel like I wasn’t good enough. Any time doubt came in my mind about my abilities I was given affirmations and reassurances that made me bounce back. Any time I needed extra support I would schedule a meeting and get the support I needed ASAP.
Were the learning materials and resources provided by the academy helpful and relevant?
Yes, the material is relevant. When Stride said the provide “on the grounds reality” they truly meant it. Everything that I learned in the program I am actively apply to my field of work. In class all the lectures provided, the documents shared, and the tips given made the class easier and help me while I work as a BA. I still keep Stride templates on my work laptop to refer to as needed.
How well did the BA course prepare you for the job market?
Stride provided me with Interview tips in class, but additionally outside of class I was given 30 – 60min of one on one individual coaching before all of my interviews. I was given tips on how to prep for the interview, what material to research and the types of questions I would need to prepare for. This was phenomenal preparation for the job market. I was someone who had never done an interview before, but I got the first job that interviewed me (3 rounds of interviewing). That speaks volumes to how well I was prepped.
What position did you secure after completing the course, and how does it align with your career goals?
The position I secured was Business Analyst for First Citizens Bank. I am working on the Digital Marketing side of the Bank where I capture requirements for different optimization requests for their web pages. I also work to enhance other parts of the bank processes. This aligns well with my career goals. I wanted a job in which I am learning many different things, always on my toes and expanding my knowledge. This job does exactly that. I feel like I am on the right track to growing within this career path.
Would you recommend the BA course at Stride Academy to others? Why?
I already have recommended the course to so many people because of the way it changed my life. As a First Generation eldest daughter of my family my mother has a lot of hopes and dreams for me, one of them being having a great job through which I can support myself never facing the burden of finances. This program gave me a means to make my mother proud, and pay off my loans. I have multiple friends and family members now a part of the program.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the course, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge had to be a mix of two things: First I was too harsh on myself to be right all the time. I would feel so defeated when I was incorrect but Stride taught me it’s okay to be wrong and that I have to give myself grace. Second my biggest challenge was time management; I wanted to produce quality work but at first wasn’t managing my time effectively. When I started making schedules for myself, setting time aside, and having more discipline (prioritizing Stride) I was able to be successful in the program.
What are you up to now? Where has your professional journey taken you?
I am only 5 months into the job but hope to grow in my professional journey from Business Analyst to Project Manager.
How long did it take you to find a job after completing the program with Stride?
It took about 1.5 months for me to find a job after completing the program and entering the job market.
Can you think of any career highlights? What are you proud of accomplishing or how have you made your team/workplace better?
So far in my career I have been praised by teams that I do not work directly on, I have been asked to be a part of meetings with managers of teams external to me, I also was told that “There are a lot of bad BAs its hard to find a good one, you’re a good one,” and I am now a lead on a project to standardize the processes for our team. The list of accomplishments I am proud of continue to grow and I am just starting my 5th month. I am so excited to see what more I am capable of while utilizing the skills I have learned in this program.
