Did you always see yourself in an IT role?
Not necessarily. My role as a Business Analyst is different from my education in Mathematical Engineering, but it’s worked out really well. My first working experience after graduation was in a similar role as a Business Analyst.
So what attracted you to Eurofins?
My prior experience as a Business Analyst was a similar role but in a really different environment within a consulting firm, where I worked in a small team on particular projects that didn’t give me a 360 view of the company. I felt ready for my next challenge, and was contacted by a Eurofins recruiter, who communicated the role really well. She explained I’d be working on a new IT application, meaning I’d be involved from the very beginning, and I could easily imagine myself working well on this type of work, prioritising requirements etc. It sounded like an amazing next step in my career so I moved to Brussels to get started. I now have a much fuller picture of the Group I work for and I feel like a valued and impactful member of the team, rather than just a number.
What does it mean to be a Business Analyst?
I work with testers and business developers to bridge the gap between the business side and the developers. There are two main parts to this. First, it’s my job to understand the business’ requirements and support the Product Owner or Team Lead with the prioritisation. It requires a lot of foresight to envisage the end results and any possible constraints, always keeping the bigger picture in mind. This is the most interesting part for me. Then, it’s all about framing the requirements in a way that can be understood by the developers. We create ‘user stories’ to do this, which is a way of describing the features of a software from the perspective of an end user. It could span one day, it could span several, but we always work within two-week timeframes, called ‘sprints’, so everything is pretty fast-paced.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is different because the new requirements coming from the business could be completely different. However, my days are anchored by regular stand-up meetings and weekly conversations to go over user stories and decide on priorities. Some days are spent working with the developers to understand their requirements, but another day I might be creating presentations or conducting visibility studies. I’m involved in a lot, so it’s not so predictable.
What makes a successful Business Analyst?
Confidence is key. I have big conference calls with many stakeholders, including senior colleagues, and I’m free to share my ideas and give input. Nobody will shout you down, so you just have to push yourself forward. Being curious and inquisitive are also great skills to have. Personally, I’m very organised and business-minded, which I think is a great help.
What’s the best thing about working for Eurofins?
I think the fact that we work in such a multicultural environment. I’m an Italian working in Belgium, surrounded by colleagues from all over. I work closely with developers in Ireland and China, and testers in India, and speak ad hoc with colleagues farther afield, too – last week, it was Japan.
I also love having a lot of freedom in my work. I have a lot of room to figure out solutions and workarounds for any constraints we face, and I feel confident in making my own proposals.
How would you describe the Eurofins work life?
Everybody is very willing to help each other out, which was especially great when I was new and learning the ropes. Despite spending a lot of time working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve continued to have a great experience. As for when I am in the office, I love our canteen, which has great chefs and a nutritionist-designed menu.
What surprised you about Eurofins?
The canteen – I was surprised that there could be such good food in Belgium! And on a more important note, I was surprised and impressed by what a large company we are. I really appreciate working for a company that is the best at what it does and which makes a real difference through Testing for Life.
What are your goals for the future?
In the short-term, I want to follow my current project and be involved in the full roll-out. I’m the kind of person who likes to throw himself into as much as possible, so being involved from start to finish is great. Beyond that – who knows, maybe I’ll become a Product Owner, which would give me more responsibility and allow me to get involved with recruiting for the team, too. I’d also love to experience a new country – maybe Sweden or Australia. Eurofins has opportunities around the world.
Any advice for an aspiring Business Analyst?
Be confident, always have a goal in mind, and keep it simple! So far, it’s been a great experience with Eurofins and I’m looking forward to the future, so I’d advise anyone to go for it.