Data Analyst Internship

One of the biggest issues facing people who want a career in data science is gaining experience. Now more than ever, companies are looking for employees who have already spent some time in an office. They know these people can start immediately and they don’t have to spend too much time training them.

For those—particularly students—who want to successfully find a job, this can be difficult. You may have learned everything that school has to offer, but without the proper experience, you could have a hard time getting employed. Luckily, there are data analyst internships out there that give you the experience you need and sets you apart from other qualified applicants.

Data Analyst Intern Responsibilities

A data analyst’s job is to study market conditions and estimate the sales potential of a company’s product or service. It is important for a data analyst to accurately predict trends in the market to help companies find out what they should invest in, what prices they should set for their products and others.

As an intern, you will most likely be assisting other data analysts with their duties. However, don’t expect to just be getting coffee for your boss. You’re going to be doing the same work you would as if you were a full-time employee.

Some of your duties may include the following:

• Monitoring and creating forecasts for sales trends and marketing.
• Creating and evaluating ways to collect data, such as questionnaires, polls, or surveys.
• Gathering data on competitors, consumers, and the conditions of the market.
• Preparing reports and presenting the results to management and clients.
• Convert complex data into graphs, reports, and tables that are easy to understand.

It’s important to make sure you’re skilled at SQL. For many interns, especially those working with startups, a large part of your duties involves pulling information from data sets using SQL and creating reports. Having a strong familiarity with the common tools used for data analysis significantly increases your chances of being successful during your internship.

Data Analyst Internship Benefits

Experience is vital if you want to successfully secure a position as a data analyst. Some can find work immediately after receiving their degree, but having some form of work experience boosts your chances of landing an interview.

When there is an opening at the company where you’re interning, you have a higher chance of getting hired than someone outside the company who is applying. It is easier for a business to move you from an intern to an employee than going through the difficult process of onboarding someone new.

Working as a data analyst intern also gives you the ability to create connections for references. Having someone in the industry who can tell other potential employers that you are well-equipped to handle the job further increases the likelihood of you getting hired.

Gaining Experience

Internships are valuable for people who are learning about data analysis in schools. This is the one place where you can get experience and apply your knowledge in an office setting. Throughout school, you may have projects or practice data sets to perform data analysis and create reports, but working as an intern gives you real data and shows you things that you may not come across in the classroom.

In addition to this, internships allow you to ask questions from those with several years of experience in the industry. If possible, you should find a mentor so you have someone who can truly evaluate your work and help you discover your strengths and weaknesses.

Another important part of the experiences you have as a data analyst intern is the flexibility to make mistakes. Companies know that you are still learning and they are more willing to accept that you’re new to something or you aren’t familiar with a certain process. This may not be the case when you’re working as a full-time employee.

Demonstrating Your Accomplishments

Employers want to know that you can do a good job and have a positive impact on the business. When you’re being interviewed for a data analyst position, there will be questions about projects you’ve done, daily tasks, and difficulties you had to overcome.

Working as an intern gives you ample experience and you can confidently talk about the things you’ve done while working in a professional environment. If necessary, you can even explain the algorithms or tools you used to get the job done.

How to Find a Data Analyst Internship

There are thousands of data analyst internship positions available. You should always see if your school has any internship programs available. Large companies are also known to have these programs available. Look for Google apprenticeships, IBM internships, Apple internships, and more. These programs may be easier for you to get because your school already has a relationship with the company.

However, even if your school doesn’t have an internship program for data analyst positions, you can still find them by searching online. Indeed, Internship.com, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn are some platforms that list data analyst internships available in your area.

After you’ve found a few internships to apply to, make sure you have a well-structured resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should explain the reasons you’re a good fit for the position and other information that your resume doesn’t cover.

When it comes to your resume, it should be concise. If you don’t have any work experience, try to list other things that you’ve done concerning the position. Note any projects or competitions you’ve been a part of or tell them about some volunteer projects you’ve worked on.

Employers know that you want this position to learn on the job so your resume should be designed to show them that you are hardworking, diligent, and knowledgeable when it comes to data analysis.

The Possibilities Are Endless

As technology continues to grow, the demand for data analysts increases as well. There are many opportunities for data analysts to work for companies—both large and small. The first step is gaining experience and that is why it is important to get a data analyst internship while you’re still pursuing your degree.