The main types of backgrounds I've seen are SAS programmers\Data Scientists, DBA\BI developer, and UNIX admins.  I think the easy lift is probably on those with application dba background as they are used to dealing with both IT and end customer issues but all 3 backgrounds are a good beginning.  The field is pretty fluid and you get exposure to all types of OS and other types of software.  This gives you a broad technical perspective that usually is reserved for application architects.   You can go jr - sr SAS admin then architect, manager, etc.  I've seen many go in business for themselves because the position requires someone to be a planner, implementer, and a maintainer. I've also seen some just remain as architects or move into management role.    The rewards are that most likely you won't get much notice if everything is going well which is typical of IT.  However, in your career, you can help those by creating an environment for users.  I've help create/maintain environments that customers have been able to use analytics that ended up saving millions of dollars and/or helped set policies that made impact in a way that made me proud to go to work the next day.  And occasionally, I get a nice nickname from the folks in IT like "SAS goddess".  So yeah definitely worth it  🙂   Good luck in your new career path! ... View more