With an astonishing increase in data generation, the role of data analysts is becoming crucial. Regardless of the size or type, every business is working with data to improve everything from their business model to customer service. Hence, there is a growing need for data analysts in almost every industry today.
Data analysts are professionals responsible for gathering, sorting, and analyzing data to help the business make well-informed decisions. These professionals utilize different tools and techniques to clean, manipulate, and study data and present their findings to the higher executives. If you’re a good problem-solver and enjoy working with numbers, pursuing a career in data and analytics might be just what you need.
Are you considering becoming a data analyst but don’t know where to start? Or you might be wondering whether pursuing this profession will be worth your time and effort. Read on below to clarify any ambiguity you might have about this profession:
How to Become a Data Analyst
The following ways can help you kickstart your career as a data analyst:
- Get a bachelor’s degree
The first step to set yourself on the road to success in this highly demanding profession is by earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, mathematics, or statistics. Your bachelor’s degree can give you the foundational knowledge and prepare you for entry-level jobs. Your degree will also equip you with the necessary job skills.
- Consider certification or Bootcamp
Don’t worry if you don’t have your bachelor’s degree in the related field. Today, many certification courses and bootcamp programs allow aspiring students to get their foot in their choice of field.
While it is true that the internet today offers a wide range of incredible and free resources, these free resources often don’t provide a structured approach or hands-on learning. Therefore, if you want to become an expert in the data analytics field, you must consider enrolling in a data analytics bootcamp or an authentic certified program. The bootcamp ensures that you learn and hone in-demand industry skills. In addition, the short-term training program is well-known for taking an interactive learning approach through workshops, exercises, challenging individual or group projects, etc. In this manner, you will feel fully supported along the journey.
- Gain technical skills
You can’t be a professional data analyst if you don’t hone the necessary soft and hard skills. It doesn’t matter which path you choose to gain your education to become a data analyst – whether a bachelor’s program, certification, Bootcamp, etc., you can’t possibly get hired if you don’t build technical skills. Not all but a few common technical skills that you must develop should include Microsoft Excel, R or Python, SQL, data visualization, etc.
- Develop your portfolio and start applying
Once you have gained the required education and built technical skills, your next step is to create a portfolio. Your portfolio can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to the employers and your ability to apply them in real life. Remember that the stronger your portfolio, the more chances of you securing your dream job.
Top Reasons to Become a Data Analyst
Are you still in an exploratory phase and thinking about whether you should pursue a career as a data analyst? Well, then the below five reasons can give you a bigger picture:
#1. In-Demand Profession
No wonder data analytics remains one of the most in-demand fields worldwide, and it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, either. Data is useless if businesses aren’t analyzing and implementing it. That is why more and more companies are looking for professional data analysts so they can help them transform business trajectories. In addition, the job opportunities for qualified data analysts will grow in the coming years.
#2. High Salaries
When starting their education, most individuals always worry about one common thing – salary. And why should it not be a matter of concern? Students spend considerable time and money and work hard to secure a job. However, you don’t have to worry about salary with a data analytics career. Since the demand is high for data analysts and supply is low, most companies offer good salaries. According to PayScale, the average salary of a data analyst is $62,827 per year.
#3. Diverse Job Opportunities
One of the most attractive benefits of a data analytics career is having diverse job opportunities in different industries. Data is everywhere – from finance and technology to healthcare and entertainment. Put it this way; every company utilizes data and analytics, so you can find a job in any sector you desire.
#4. Become a Decision-Maker
In some cases, employees feel they don’t have the authority to decide, leading to job dissatisfaction. However, that is not the case for data analytics professionals. As a data analyst, you will be a vital part of the decision-making process in your organization. Moreover, you will be responsible for developing strategic plans for your business to increase revenue and gain a competitive edge. Thus, making your career rewarding, too.
#5. Open Doors for Freelance Opportunities
Do you love the idea of earning from the comfort of your home? Luckily, you can enjoy remote job opportunities by pursuing a career as a data analyst. All you need is a laptop and a reliable internet connection. In addition, you can look for different freelance consultant job opportunities at multiple companies and broaden your source of income. You can also find a good work-life balance by tapping into freelance opportunities.
Summing Up
Undeniably, data has proved to be an invaluable asset in the modern digital age. Today, every company collects and analyzes data of their clients, customers, and competitors. Doing so helps businesses develop new plans and make strategic decisions that help them grow. As a result, it is no surprise that various companies from multiple industries are hiring data analysts. Thus, making a career in data analytics is one of the wisest options in today’s job market. However, keep in mind that the key to success in any domain depends on several factors, such as hard work and time. So make sure to pay attention to these factors if you wish to step up the ladder of success in your career.
