The success of a business depends on how the organization utilizes the data.
The availability and easy access to data help businesses to evaluate their performance and swiftly change their trajectory to reach their goal. Therefore, the need for data analysts is getting higher and higher in the market.
If you’re someone who loves and enjoys problem-solving and making predictions based on the data, then data analytics is your gig.
But, how to become a business analyst?
What graduation or degree should I have?
Should I do any higher graduation to become a business analyst?
You may have plenty of questions in your mind. To remove it, we have created this blog that includes the steps to develop a career in data analytics and the skills you need in 2022 to become a data analyst.
5 Skills that you need as a business analyst
The average basic salary of a business analyst is $70,441 per year. Your pay scale will drastically improve as you can continually hone your skills.
To become a successful business analyst, you need more than academic qualifications. Here are the skills that will help you build your career as a data analyst:
1. Programming language
A data analyst should be familiar with programming language. The role of the data analyst is to analyze, interpret and present the vital data to help the investors and company CEO in decision-making. So, you should have proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R knowledge, and so on.
2. SQL (Structured Query Language)
Using SQL skills, you can update, organize, query, and modify data stored in databases. It is one of the essential skills for a data analyst.
3. Visualization and presentation
The data analyst’s role is to cater complex data digestible. Everyone should understand the information you present. As a data analyst, you have to create charts and plots to illustrate your findings and predictions to decision-makers visually.
4. Data management
Some companies have data architects and engineers to manage data. If you can collect, organize, and store data efficiently and cost-effectively, it will boost your opportunity to get hired right away. Besides, if you have experience managing data analysis tools, that’s a bonus.
5. Statistics
To minimize data errors, identify patterns and trends in the data, and interpret data more effectively, good knowledge in math and statistics is paramount for a data analyst.
How to build a career in business analytics from scratch?
If you’re passionate and interested in getting into data analytics, then here are the four steps to gain the necessary knowledge and become a data analyst:
1. Practice relative skills
We’re living in a world with an abundance of information.
With a simple search on Google and Youtube, you can find plenty of free courses and information online. Using that, you can easily acquire the essential skills to build your career as a data analyst.
As said above, you must be familiar with Python, R, visualization, SQL, and so on. So, you can learn and practice these skills online to gain knowledge and build your portfolio.
2. Complete your degree
Even though free courses are available on the internet, you might still miss some crucial details when learning data analytics.
The free information won’t have a structured approach or hands-on practice.
If you want to become a data analyst, do a certification or master’s degree in data analytics to add weightage to your resume.
Even though you’re working, you can still complete your master’s in data analytics online and earn your degree. This will help to progress your career further.
When you’re on the hunt to find a great online course or degree, conduct extensive research that satisfies your needs, matches your comfort, and then choose the right one. Evaluate in all aspects credibility, budget, timing, and so and so.
3. Hone your soft skills
The data analyst has to help the management in decision-making.
Data analysts can conduct research, solve problems, and predict threats.
But, the other crucial part for a data analyst is to present their findings to the top-level management, explain the advantages and disadvantages and help them make a decision.
Therefore, you should have the creative brain to present the results to the management and help them make decisions.
Practice the presentation and communication skills to make yourself perfect for the data analyst role.
4. Apply for internships
Let resume and portfolio speak.
Even though you have taken courses, working is different.
Internships are always a great way to learn, gain experience, enrich your skills, and test your skills.
So, before you apply for an entry-level data analyst, apply for internships and collect on-field experience.
Connect with people on LinkedIn and build a relationship with them. There are lots of relevant internship opportunities available on LinkedIn.
Surround yourself with people who can mentor you and guide you in difficult times. Plus, also look for opportunities to learn and excel.
Suppose the company offering you an internship opportunity likes your effort and work. In that case, they will hire you. Or, the internships will help you build a great portfolio to help you find an analytic job with high pay.
Conclusion
The need for data analytics is increasing day by day.
By acquiring the skills and following the ways given in this blog, you can surely succeed as a data analyst.
All you need is a little bit of patience, persistence, and ambition. That’s it!
Business analytics is a career that requires an analytical and creative mind, and it always puts you in a position that challenges you and your skillset. If you’re determined to face every obstacle, then you’ll surely reap greater rewards.
Change the world of data and shine as a future leader.
