Newbie - with Accounting background: Which Way

[Don36]

Greetings everyone,

I'm currently a certified accountant contemplating a transition to ServiceNow, but I'm uncertain about where to begin.

I'm particularly keen on starting immediately in a job-ready capacity after training. I'm debating whether to start with the Associate System Administrator track and progress to the Professional level to obtain CSA certification, or to pursue the Business Process Analyst path. I'm seeking clarity on the best starting point

Recently, I completed a 6-month Business Analyst Training program, though my hands-on experience is still limited. I'm eager for the Community guidance on where and how to begin. Additionally, I'm curious about the effectiveness of the content labeled as "Required" on Now Learning for passing the final exam, without accessing the Optional ones, which takes you to another site.

Again, considering my lack of background in ServiceNow, I'm curious about the timeframe to secure a job upon completion of any pathway.

Thank you for any insights or advice you can offer.

[Simon Hendery · Accepted solution]

HI @Don36,

My 2 cents: For where you are right now, don’t worry too much about deciding between one of the two Career Journey paths (System Admin or BPA).

To get yourself career ready, the first priority and the best return on investment for you is getting your CSA certification, because that’s the number one thing employers want you to have.

Secondly, and equally important, they want demonstrable hands-on skills using the platform. E.g. you want to be able to show employers an app you’ve built on your PDI that solves a specific problem.

I wanted to clarify something from your question: it sounds like you think you need to complete the Professional System Admin path to get your CSA. That’s not correct. Think of the certifications and the Career Journey paths as two different things. You don’t need to complete the journey path content before you sit the exam.

The only course you need to take prior to sitting the CSA exam is the Administration Fundamentals course (part of the Associate Sys Admin career journey.)

The journey paths offer great broad knowledge across the areas they cover, but you can be work-ready and employable without completing them. Again, employers are much more interested in the certifications.

I’ve almost completed both the Associate and Professional paths of the BPA journey, and I'm very happy to answer any further questions you have about the journey if it would help.

Best of luck with your studies!

[Simon Hendery · Accepted solution]

Hi @Don36, 

Given your recent business analyst training, I'm assuming you'd be interested in pursuing a BA role within the ServiceNow ecosystem? If so, once you have some ServiceNow training under your belt, that plus your prior BA training and accounting background, would give you an edge over other ServiceNow newbie candidates seeking a BA role.

My suggestions:

1. As you're already doing, work your way, top to bottom, through the 'Required' courses on the Associate System Administrator career journey path. On your way down, feel free to do any 'Optional' courses that interest you.

2. Once you've completed the Administration Fundamentals course, take the CSA exam. Once you get that far, you'll have a pretty good idea of the basics of ServiceNow - and whether it's something that's for you or not.

3. Then you may want to work through the Associate Business Process Analyst career journey path. That's where you'll learn how BA works in a ServiceNow context. 

You asked about hands-on experience. Firstly, the Administration Fundamentals course includes a full set of labs - practical exercises done on a ServiceNow instance, so don't worry, you'll get plenty of hands-on experience doing that course.

Secondly, get yourself a free Personal Developer Instance where you can practice everything in your own environment.

The practical experience you gain along the way doesn't have to involve hard-core coding. In fact, you'll find there's a lot you can build on the platform using no-code/low-code tools like Flow Designer.

Simon

[Don36]

Thanks again @Simon Hendery . You have the real compass. Your suggestions are always so clear and succinct.

Based of on it, I started learning the Welcome to SerivceNow overview and I was able to create an instance where I am able to play around to understand the Unified Navigation(UI) of the Next Experience . 

Your notes are sound, very positive and forward-guiding and I must again say, thanks a lot. I now understand the journey now. Do you also have any guide for the CSA exam preparation? Like CSA dumps that can help and quite useful? 

Do you have a YouTube or LinkedIn channel I can follow you on😊?.

Donald

[Simon Hendery]

Hi @Don36 - thanks for your kind words, happy to help!

For exam prep, I would recommend checking out the practice exams on Udemy. It's been a while since I took the CSA test,  so I can't recommend one Udemy course in particular, but check the reviews for guidance. Udemy content is generally pretty reliable. (Pro tip: always buy Udemy content when they have a sale on, which happens every few days.)

I'm not on YouTube but very happy to connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonhendery/

[RiktigR]

Transitioning to a career in ServiceNow can be a great move, especially given the platform's growing importance in IT service management and business process automation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started and make an informed decision:

1. Assess Your Goals and Interests

Given your background as a certified accountant and recent completion of a Business Analyst Training program, you have two main pathways to consider:

• ServiceNow System Administrator: Focuses on the technical aspects of the platform, including system configuration, user management, and platform maintenance.
• ServiceNow Business Process Analyst: Focuses on leveraging the platform to optimize and automate business processes, which aligns more closely with your recent Business Analyst training.

2. Evaluate the Training Tracks

ServiceNow System Administrator Path

Associate System Administrator Track:

• Overview: Provides foundational knowledge in managing and configuring the ServiceNow platform.
• Courses: Typically includes modules on instance navigation, user administration, and basic configuration.
• Certification: Prepares you for the Certified System Administrator (CSA) exam.

Professional Level:

• Overview: Builds on the basics to cover more advanced topics like scripting, integration, and automation.
• Certification: Achieving CSA certification is a strong credential for securing system admin roles.

ServiceNow Business Process Analyst Path

Business Process Analyst Track:

• Overview: Focuses on analyzing and improving business processes using ServiceNow.
• Courses: Includes modules on business analysis, process optimization, and using ServiceNow for workflow automation.
• Certification: While there isn’t a specific certification like the CSA, becoming proficient in these skills can lead to roles such as Business Analyst or Process Consultant on the platform.

3. Training and Certification

Now Learning Platform:

• Required Content: Essential for understanding core concepts and preparing for the exams.
• Optional Content: Provides deeper insights and practical experience but may not be necessary for passing the exams.

4. Practical Steps to Get Started

1. Enroll in Courses:

   • For System Administrator: Start with the Associate System Administrator track on Now Learning.
   • For Business Process Analyst: Look for relevant courses on business analysis and ServiceNow application.

2. Hands-On Practice:

   • ServiceNow Developer Instance: Sign up for a free developer instance to practice what you learn in a real environment.
   • Projects: Work on small projects or case studies to build practical experience.

3. Certifications:

   • CSA Certification: Aim to pass the CSA exam if you choose the system administrator path.
   • Supplemental Certifications: Consider additional certifications in specific modules like ITSM, HRSD, or CSM based on your interests.

4. Job Search:

   • Update Resume: Highlight your training, certifications, and any hands-on projects you’ve completed.
   • Networking: Join ServiceNow communities, attend webinars, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn.
   • Apply for Jobs: Look for entry-level positions such as Junior System Administrator or Business Analyst.

5. Expected Timeline

• Training Duration: Typically, it takes 3-6 months to complete the necessary training and certifications if you study consistently.
• Job Search: Securing a job can take an additional 1-3 months depending on market demand and your networking efforts.

Final Advice

Given your background and recent training in business analysis, starting with the Business Process Analyst track might be more aligned with your skills and experience. However, if you have a strong interest in the technical side, the System Administrator track with CSA certification is also a solid choice.