The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Graduate Scheme / Internship Programme
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Structured problem-solving, data analysis basics, professional communication, understanding business context.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully completed assigned projects or rotations.
- Received strong feedback on analytical and communication skills.
- Demonstrated initiative in learning new business areas.
- 2
Business Operations / Project Support Role
1-3 yearsSkills to master
- Organisational skills, managing deadlines, stakeholder interaction (internal), familiarity with business processes.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivered on project support tasks.
- Proactively identified areas for process improvement in previous roles.
- Expressed a clear interest in moving into a change-focused role.
- 3
Junior Analyst (e.g., Finance, Data, Marketing)
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Advanced Excel, data visualisation, report generation, understanding of specific business functions, analytical rigour.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to analyse data and present insights clearly.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams.
- Desire to apply analytical skills to broader business change challenges.


