To work as a Data Analyst, you must have strong data analysis abilities and the capacity to extract insights from massive data sets.

Data analytics is a field ripe with opportunity, as companies across the globe have made significant investments in establishing analytics departments, particularly in advertising, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, technology, and healthcare. Currently, data analysts in the United States earn an average yearly pay of $70,033.

To make it even more appealing, McKinsey predicts that Data Analytics and information services will expand at a pace of 16% to 18% over the next five years, indicating that it is high time to consider this career path.

Having read this far, you must be wondering: how to become a data analyst?

Right?

In this blog post, we’ll outline the steps you need to take to become a data analyst. By the end, you’ll know exactly what it takes to start a career in this rapidly-growing field.

So let’s get started!

Have you ever wondered how data analysts make sense of all the numbers and equations they work with on a daily basis? Or how they use their skills to help businesses improve their bottom line? If so, then this blog post is for you!

A data analyst gathers, processes, and analyzes enormous datasets. Every business, large or small, creates and collects data. Customer feedback, accounting, logistics, marketing research, and so on are all examples of data.

A data analyst is a specialist who uses this data to determine various metrics, such as how to enhance customer experience, price new products, and cut transportation costs, to name a few. Data analysts work with data, modeling data, and reporting.

The eligibility criteria depend on the job description, as each industry requires specific prerequisites for a data analyst job. Hence, you must keep trying to build your portfolio by mastering the relevant data visualization skills.

Nearly all data analyst occupations demand a bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification.

If a university doesn’t offer a major in data analytics at the Bachelor’s level, there are other programs that can help you get ready for this line of work. You can acquire the fundamental technical abilities you need to be a data analyst, for instance, by earning a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or information systems.

Many organizations look for candidates with Master’s degrees as technology develops and data gathering, management, and analysis become increasingly complicated. In order to succeed in this industry, getting an advanced degree may be one of the greatest preparation options.

If you want to become a data analyst, you need to possess strong command in:

  • SQL
  • Data visualization
  • Python Programming
  • Data manipulation
  • Data collection, monitoring, and presentation

Data analytics jobs can be found in various industries, and there are several ways to get your first job in this in-demand field. Here are some stages to becoming a data analyst, whether just starting in the professional world or changing careers.

  1. Earn a degree in Data Analytics
  2. Develop your analytical skills
  3. Build your own projects
  4. Share your projects
  5. Find an entry-level position

Let’s explore each of these steps in detail to get a better understanding.

1. Earn a Degree in Data Analytics

If you’re new to the realm of data analysis, you should begin by learning the fundamentals of the subject. A thorough understanding of data analytics will help you decide whether this is the right career for you while also providing you with job-ready abilities.

Most entry-level data analyst employment used to need a Bachelor’s degree. Though many occupations still need a degree, this is changing. While a degree in math, computer science, or another comparable topic can help you acquire basic knowledge and boost your CV, you can also opt for alternative programs such as Bootcamps, certificates, or self-study courses.

2. Develop Your Analytical Skills

A profession in data analysis often necessitates a set of particular technical abilities. These are some fundamental skills you’ll likely need to be employed, whether learning through a degree program, a professional credential, or on your own:

  • R programming for statistics or Python programming
  • SQL (Structured Query Language)
  • Visualization of data
  • Cleaning and preparing data

Examine various job postings for jobs you want to apply for, and focus your learning on the programming languages or visualization tools that are specified as prerequisites.

Aside from these hard skills, recruiting managers look for workplace skills such as solid communication, problem-solving abilities, and domain knowledge in the field in which they want to work.

3. Build Your Own Projects

Seek out degree programs or courses that feature hands-on projects using real-world data sets. There are several free public data sets available that you may use to create your own projects.

For example, investigate climate change data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Look deeper into the news using data from BuzzFeed, or use NASA open data to develop answers to future concerns on Earth and beyond. These are only a few instances of data available. Choose a topic that interests you and look for open-source data to practice with.

4. Sharing Your Projects

Presenting your results to decision-makers and other stakeholders in the firm is an essential aspect of working as a data analyst. When you can tell a narrative with data, you can assist your company in making data-driven decisions.

Practice presenting your results as you finish projects for your portfolio. Consider the message you want to express and the graphics you’ll employ to support it. Over time, you’ll have the necessary skills to compile and express data to even non-tech-savvy stakeholders.

5. Finding an Entry Level Job

After you’ve gained experience dealing with data and presenting your result, it’s time to polish your resume and start looking for entry-level data analyst positions. Be bold and apply for jobs you feel you need to be qualified for. Your portfolio, talent, and excitement for a career may be more important than the job designation prerequisites.

If you’re still in school, inquire about internship possibilities at your university’s career services office. With an internship, you may acquire real-world experience for your resume while also putting what you’re learning on the job to use.

There is no question that data analytics is one of the hottest skills in today’s job market. Companies are desperately searching for professionals who can help them make sense of all the data they are collecting, and salaries for these positions are skyrocketing as a result.

But just how much do data analysts make in a year?

A data analyst in the United States may make between $71,759 per year, according to Indeed. In Australia, the typical compensation for a data analyst is between AUD $90,000 and AUD $115,000 per year. A data analyst makes an average annual income of £39K in the United Kingdom.

As you can probably tell, it’s a very lucrative career, and if you’re good at it, you can make a lot of money.

If you are looking to break into the field of data analysis, but lack experience in the area, there are ways you can start your journey. Here are some tips you can follow to become a data analyst without any experience.

Choose the career path that is best for you:

  • Get a certificate or take a course
  • Construct a portfolio of your work
  • Hone your skills

Think about transferring to jobs that are related to data analytics.

It is also important to attend industry events and meet with people in the field to learn more about how data analysis works. You never know when somebody may be looking for someone with your skillset who can offer you an opportunity.

By following these tips and investing in your education, you can become a data analyst without any experience. But it will take commitment, hard work, and dedication to reach your goals.

What qualifications do I need to be a data analyst?

Data analytics is a skill-based field. Many roles will require candidates to know Microsoft Excel, SQL, R, or Python programming, data presentation, and visualization abilities.

How many years does it take to become a data analyst?

A Bachelor’s degree is required for data analyst positions, typically taking 3-4 years to complete.

What are some common challenges faced by data analysts?

Finding the right university, data analysis Bootcamp, and online courses is one of the most common challenges data analysts face.

What are the next steps after learning data analytics?

After learning data analytics, you must implement your learning to gain practical experience. For example, you can create mock projects to hone your skills. Once you’ve mastered your skills, apply for internships or an entry-level job to start your career.

This concludes our guide on how to become a data analyst. If you want to be a data analyst, you need to start training right away. With perseverance, hard work, and effort, you may begin a rewarding career as a data analyst.

In this blog, just to recap, we talked about what data analytics is and also the steps to becoming a data analyst. As previously mentioned, the job description of a data analyst is both challenging and rewarding. However, they also earn handsomely.

So if you’re interested in this career, it is time you start learning the necessary skills today!