There is an increasingly high demand for a Data Analytics career all over the world today, and this has corresponded to it also becoming one of the most sought after and lucrative ventures right now.
The reason for the tremendous growth in the field of Data analytics is not far-fetched.
Every second of every day, billions of Data are being generated about literally everything, and all that information and numbers can be quite intimidating. There is a need for someone to simplify it all and break it down to easily understandable terms and that is where the Data Analyst comes in.
Who is a Data Analyst?
A Data Analyst is a professional who studies, examines, interprets and models data into comprehensible patterns that can then be used in making decisions. It is important not to confuse A Data Analyst for a Data Scientist or a Data Engineer
A Data Scientist deals with organizing more complex digital information and looks to make predictions on Data from current available information. A Data Engineer on the under hand is responsible for preparing the Data for use by the Data analyst or scientist.
So are you a good fit for a data analytics career?
There are many misconceptions about what you require to have a career in data analytics. Do you need a bachelor’s degree in Computer science? Simple answer, no you don’t.
However, before you take a course on data analytics, there are certain qualities and skills that you need to possess to be considered a good fit for a career in this field.
1. An Analytical Mind
To excel in this field, you must possess an analytical mind. You must be able to observe and investigate things in great detail and with much keenness.
If you are someone who is generally curious and tends to want to get to the bottom of things, then that is a great attribute to have in data analytics. This also means being very patient and thorough in order to get to the most correct conclusion.
2. Problem solver
In data analytics, you need to be a problem solver.
Data comes in large, complex and raw forms and it needs to be sorted into smaller, simpler, and processed units. This means you need to have great problem-solving skills so that you can unravel the complex data presented to you.
Data is also constantly changing and changing quickly, and so you should be able to think on your feet and offer solutions to this challenge of the erratic nature of data as they arise and be able to spot the patterns that most people just see a mess.
So if you are excellent at Jigsaws and Rubix cubes and puzzles, you may very well be a good fit for a career in Data Analytics.
3. Effective communication and presentation skills.
After breaking down data and processing it into useful information, you must be able to present it either to the audience of your employers or in the form of a write-up for a research paper.
For this, you require good communication skills and presenting skills. If you are someone who is able to communicate effectively, this is a big plus in data analytics and something employers look out for in prospective employees.
It is important to know that communication and presentation is not just about speaking but also involves writing as well. Being a good communicator also means you can easily network and benefit your career as you go on.
4. Math and Statistics.
Sorry, but you cannot run away from math and statistics. Data largely presents in the form of numbers that need sorting and establishing relationships between several quantities. But then, it does not have to be advanced mathematics.
What you need is basic knowledge in areas like normal distribution, standard deviations, descriptive and inferential statistics and the like. So you do not need to be a Math Guru but you will have to deal with math. Therefore, if you are someone who has an inclination for numbers, math, arithmetic and statistics, you will more than likely find a home in Data Analytics.
5. Basic Data and Computer skills
Like previously stated you do not need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science to be a Data Analyst.
However, what will seriously boost your prospects of landing great jobs in the field is if you are proficient in some basic data tools like Microsoft Excel, Structure Query Language (SQL), Visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
Some background in Programming Languages like Python will also put you in good stead for a career in Data Analytics as these are things that employers look for in your resume and can give you an edge over others.
Pursuing a Data Analytics career promises to be a very rewarding and fulfilling venture, especially if any or most of what has been discussed above fits you.