Data analytics are an important aspect of strategic planning, no matter the industry. Strong analytical skills and excellent communication skills are naturally extremely important for data analysts. If you’re wondering how to get a job in data analytics, this article is for you.
We’ll go over the best educational paths you can take to get into the profession, whether you should get a bachelor’s degree in a four-year institution or take an alternative path, the core data analytics skills you’ll want to learn, and the highest-paying data analytics jobs in the market.
What Is Data Analytics?
Data analytics is the extraction and interpretation of raw data using specialized computer systems. These systems are programmed to transform, organize, and model the data to draw a reasonable conclusion and identify patterns. The data analytics field can seem simple but professionals in the field need advanced math skills to properly describe the analysis of large volumes of high-velocity data.
The job of data analysts has been made easier with the Internet with important company data primarily being stored digitally in the cloud rather than physically. With tools like Google Analytics, retrieving and interpreting data is somewhat easier, although complex projects do require a certain amount of specialized skills to work on.
Data Analytics Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth of data analysts is positive, projected at 25 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is higher than the average for all jobs. Within this period, about 10,200 job openings will be available annually.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Data Analyst?
To become a data analyst, you usually need a bachelor’s degree to get an entry-level job. A Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Finance all have transferable skills that can help you excel in a career as a data analyst.
Can I Get a Data Analytics Job Without a Degree?
Yes, you could potentially get a data analytics job without a degree if you already have the right hard and soft skills. Most data analytics entry-level jobs, however, will need you to have at least a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree. Many of the advanced skills needed for the job are hard to acquire without higher education.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in Data Analytics?
Yes, a coding bootcamp can help you get a job in data analytics. Completing a data analytics bootcamp will give you an early head start to get employed. The best data analytics bootcamp programs take between six months to two years.
Some bootcamps provide self-paced courses that can last as long as the students need them to. Many of the top data analytics bootcamps are affiliated with reputable tech companies and offer job placement opportunities straight after graduating.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in Data Analytics?
It could take a few months to a year after you’ve graduated and gotten a degree to get a job in data analytics. What will help speed up the process is sharpening the hard and soft skills employers are seeking. Bootcamps are often the quickest way to learn data analytics and enter the job market.
Common Data Analytics Education Paths
Although a bachelor’s degree is the most common educational path if you want to become a data analyst, there are other ways to get into this career. Bootcamps and community colleges are also viable options if your schedule and budget don’t allow you to study at a university.
Data Analytics Bootcamps
Bootcamps are a great alternative for students wanting to take an alternative study route for their tech career. Data analytics bootcamps help you learn the fundamentals of data analysis in a short amount of time.
More often than not, data analytics bootcamps allow you to cater their programs to suit your personal or professional commitments. You can opt for a part-time or full-time data analytics course, depending on your schedule.
Community College
Many community colleges offer data analytic programs that issue an associate degree or certificate after completion. A data analytics program at a community college costs less than that of a university, and the program usually lasts for two years rather than four. Nevertheless, top tech companies and recruiters prefer candidates who’ve completed a community college data analytics program then transferred to a four-year college.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree program is the most proven way to get a job as a data analyst at a top company. A bachelor’s degree program in data analytics takes four years and the tuition costs more than any of the other educational paths previously mentioned.
Key Data Analytics Skills to List on Your Resume
There are certain data analytics skills that you should highlight in your resume. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and being good at problem-solving are important transferable skills that you may have picked up along the way, and data modeling is probably the most essential skill when it comes to communicating your findings.
Data Modeling
Data modeling entails putting together a visual presentation of your data structures and points. This allows your prospective employers to know that you can organize pieces of data and make presentations that are clear and informative.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is one of the most frequently used analysis tools. Being able to use Excel is a fundamental skill required for even the most experienced data analyst. Knowing how to use VBA lookups and Macros will also help boost your candidacy.
Problem Solving
As a data analyst, your job is to organize and interpret data, then find solutions to the issues you discover. Strong problem-solving skills let your prospective employers know you are an asset to them and their company.
Where to Find Data Analytics Job
Once you’ve finished getting an education and have built a great resume, it can be hard to know where to look for jobs as a data analyst. Although some data analysts choose to freelance, almost all big businesses need data analysts. The best place to start would be on third-party job posting boards or directly on company websites.
Company Websites
Almost all companies need the services of a data analyst. You can often easily check if a company needs your services by looking on its website. Even if a company hasn’t put up an ad for a data analyst position, you can always send them an application via email.
Freelance Sites
The job of a data analyst can be done remotely. There are lots of clients who look on freelance websites for data analysts. Upwork and Fiverr are some of the biggest freelance websites a data analyst can use to seek out work.
Third-Party Websites
Third-party websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter are great places to look for data analysis positions. Companies will upload job postings to these websites, detailing job descriptions and salaries. You can make an account on these websites and easily submit your resume there.
How to Prepare for Your Data Analytics Interview
It’s important to prepare for an interview. This can help get rid of any nerves you might have. One of the best things you can do to prepare is to practice answering questions you might get from a hiring manager. Here are some examples you can use.
Data Analytics Interview Questions
- Is there any difference between data profiling and data mining?
- What is the meaning of data cleaning?
- What is your process when it comes to analyzing and organizing data?
- What data analytics technical skills do you have?
The Five Highest-Paying Data Analytics Jobs
| Data Analytics Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Information Research Analyst | $103,590 | 33% |
| Data Administrator and Architect | $98,860 | 8% |
| Computer System Analyst | $93,730 | 7% |
| Financial Analyst | $83,660 | 6% |
| Marketing Research Analyst | $65,810 | 22% |
Information Research Analyst
- Salary: $103,590
The job of an information research analyst primarily involves carrying out security measures for a company’s computer system and assets. They also carry out information research reviews and modify existing security measures.
Data Administrator and Architect
- Salary: $98,860
Data administrators and architects design systems that can securely save data such as financial records and personal information. Also, they build new databases and make them available for authorized users.
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Computer System Analyst
- Salary: $93,730
Computer system analysts study the computer systems of companies and offer solutions to increase their productivity. A computer system analyst devises ways to add more efficient functionalities for stronger systems performance.
Financial Analyst
- Salary: $83,660
The financial analyst helps businesses and individuals make better decisions concerning their finances. They offer an assessment of stocks, bonds, and other investments that their individual clients or companies may have.
Marketing Research Analyst
- Salary: $65,810
A market research analyst studies the market conditions of products and services. Their job is to research consumer interest in a company’s product, analyze the data and report back to the company so that it can better tailor its product towards its target demographic.
Data Analytics Career Path
Your career as a data analyst can take a variety of different paths depending on your interests and specialties. Here are a few examples of entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level jobs that might be available to you throughout your career. All of these analyst roles will require you to have a solid foundation of programming skills and statistical knowledge.
Entry-Level Data Analytics Jobs
- Data Entry Clerk – Entering data might be the easiest analyst job you can have in your career. Despite this, there are many transferable skills you’ll be able to gain during your time as a data entry clerk. In this role, you’ll be required to input data or information into a computer.
- Computer System Analyst – As a computer system analyst, you’ll be responsible for inputting data management information into systems and providing an overview of data analysis.
- Data Entry Manager – Working as a data entry manager, your work will consist of converting files to and from various formats while managing large amounts of data from different computer systems.
Mid-Level Data Analytics Jobs
- Business Data Analyst – As a business analyst you will be responsible for analyzing data and giving reports about the overall performance of a sales or business department. At this level, the volume of data involved may not be too complex.
- Information Research Analyst – Collating data requires sourcing for information concerning specific topics, events, or whatever else your client may want. If the data you need to collate is complex, you may be working with a team of other data analysts. You’ll get to work on many hands-on projects as an information research analyst.
- Financial Analyst – Preparing and reviewing financial reports will be the main part of your work. In most cases, you have to compare previous and current reports then prepare a report of your findings. Visualization tools will become your best friends.
Senior-Level Data Analytics Jobs
- Data Administrator – You will measure the key performance indicators (KPI) of an organization and help set targets against industry peers.
- FBA Product Research Manager – Senior-level data analysts carry out research to discover which products will sell best and ensure profitability.
- Marketing Research Analyst – A senior data analyst in this position provides a graphical illustration of brand and product performance via comprehensive review, comparison, and brand analysis. Senior data analysts engage their team and map out ways to provide efficient brand analysis from the market.
Data Analytics Certifications
To improve your skills and increase the possibility of getting hired for a data analytic job, getting certifications in data analytics would be a good idea. Not only will they look good to employers, but the best data analytic certifications will also improve your statistical skills and technical knowledge.
Cloudera Certifications
Becoming a Cloudera certified data analyst enables you to pull and generate reports in the Cloudera CDH environment using Hive and Impala. This data analytics training and the skills acquired from this certification will help you provide better-structured data.
CompTIA Data+
The CompTIA Data+ is the perfect data analytics certification you need to jumpstart your analytics career. This is a highly respected certification that employers will be happy to see on your resume.
Microsoft Certified Data Analyst Associate
With this certification offered by Microsoft, you will receive training that will improve your skills at cleaning and transforming data. Building and designing data from scalable data models will also be a part of your training.
Tips on How to Get a Job in Data Analytics
Landing a well-paying job as a data analyst isn’t always easy. Data analytics is a competitive, rapidly-growing field. There are a couple of tips, which we’ve listed below, that will help you stand out amongst other candidates during your job search.
Use the Internet to Your Advantage
Thanks to the Internet, finding jobs is easier than ever. Job boards such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter, professional websites like Indeed, as well as technical forums, are great ways to build connections and discover new job opportunities.
Attend Network Events
Networking with members in your field is one of the best ways to help your chances of landing a job. Your skills may speak for themselves, but the recommendation of someone inside the company you’re applying for, or some other well-respected working professional, goes a long way. Networking events are a great way to make these connections.
Have a Stellar Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume and cover letter are your first impression. Knowing how to write a strong data analytics cover letter and tailoring your resume to the company you’re applying to can heavily boost your chances.
Persevere and Keep Working on Your Skills
It can feel discouraging, applying to job after job and not hearing anything back. Don’t give up. Keep developing your skills and knowledge and you’re bound to find something. Businesses are always hiring.
Internships and Volunteering
Applying for internships or volunteering as a data analyst for companies is a great way to build hands-on experience. These are also a great way to build connections while working in the industry, especially if you’re doing this while still in school.
Should You Get a Job in Data Analytics in 2022?
Yes, you should get a job in data analytics. For one thing, data analysts are in high demand. The World Economic Forum listed data analytics as the second-highest growing field in the United States. This means there should be plenty of career opportunities waiting for you.
Data analysts also earn an impressive annual salary. The average annual salary of a data analyst is $72,780, according to Glassdoor. Senior data analysts with more years of experience can earn double this.
Data Analytics FAQ
Yes, a degree is not necessarily required to become a data analyst. However, most entry-level data analyst jobs may prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees, so it’s recommended that you get one.
It is not too difficult to get a data analytic job. You can gain experience and land a job faster if you enroll in a data analytics bootcamp.
The responsibility of a data analyst involves analyzing raw data and interpreting it to help organizations make sense of it. They use various analytics tools to collate and review this data. There are many types of data analysis jobs, so you should be able to fit one to suit your interests.
You can become a data analyst without a degree by getting a certification through a bootcamp. Enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a great way to gain in-demand data analysis skills in a short period of time.
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