A BA can be on the client side or the IT side. If on the client side, they are interfacing with work group domains that process the work and review what they need. They generate requirements and then work with the IT side to update or generate processes and applications to fullfil the business needs.

If you’re a BA on the IT side of the house, then you’re taking all the requirements and developing processes and application solutions. Your job is to work with the client to generate a business solutions document (there are many names for it) and get signoff. Then, you need to make sure that solution becomes reality by working with systems analysts, programmers, and testers. You’re generally responsible for the delivery of the solution. Although, if the solution revolves around process changes with other work group domains, you normally work with a PM (Project Manager). Never the less, you have end to end responsibilities for the IT delivery to insure the client gets what they need (and paying for).

With the offshoring of work to cheap labor, to remain associated with software development, the BA role is a good profession.

Yes, you need to major in Information Technology, or Information Systems, or something like that. Any technical degree offered by a business school.

But, if you are just interested in the salary, then you will probably not score a salary above the average – those jobs go to students that are truly PASSIONATE about the subject they study.

Business Analysts do a study of how the systems of a business function and then propose solutions….not very easy, but very financially rewarding once you get to the big leagues.