How to Develop Data Analytics Skills and Start Your Career

When it comes to fields with growth potential, data analytics is a major contender. According to market intelligence firm Allied Market Research, the global data analytics industry will grow to approximately $684 billion by 2030, which represents a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.

As the data analytics market continues to expand, so do the many career opportunities in the field. Organizations are eager to derive insights from data, and they’re looking for individuals who have the skills to get the job done. People who possess strong data analytics skills get to work on the cutting edge of the field in a variety of positions that can give organizations a competitive edge.

Anyone interested in working in data analytics needs to acquire and maintain the key skills that can lead to success in the field. Attending a bootcamp is a great way to gain the data analytics skills that potential employers are seeking. Fullstack Academy’s live online Data Analytics Bootcamp, for example, can provide individuals with data analytics knowledge and skills to launch a fulfilling career.

Why Data Analytics Skills Are Important

Developing strong data analytics skills is beneficial for many reasons. Analytics software firm SAS has noted that having skills in data analytics:

• Helps people sharpen their problem-solving skills

• Positions people for in-demand roles with the potential for high salaries

• Enables people to work in almost any industry

• Places people on a career path with growth potential

• Can lead to the development of related skills in areas such as communication, decision-making, and leadership

Organizations may also benefit from employees with strong data analytics skills. The accurate assessment and interpretation of data can improve an organization’s ability to achieve its goals for growth and stability. When employees have the ability to effectively analyze data, organizations can:

• Make business decisions quickly and identify beneficial policies to implement

• Gain a clear understanding of the specific functions within the organization that work best

• Reduce the risk of failure by having reliable information on topics such as consumer behavior, trends in the market, and competition

• Make their products and services more relevant by accurately measuring customer satisfaction and enhancing their ability to adjust products and services to boost customer satisfaction

Types of Data Analytics Skills

Success in data analytics relies on having expertise in specific technical data analytics skills, as well as related hard skills and soft skills.

What Skills Do You Need for Data Analytics?

To pursue a career in data analytics, individuals need to acquire expertise in some of the most common tools of the profession, such as:

• Microsoft Excel. Microsoft’s spreadsheet tool has powerful features such as functions, formulas, and pivot tables that are invaluable in data analytics. Excel functions can remove spaces from data, count cells, and search for data. Additionally, Excel formulas can distinguish between unique identifiers in data, a capability that can be very useful in data analysis. Excel pivot tables also can perform important tasks such as reorganizing and condensing data.

• Structured Query Language (SQL). Data analytics professionals can use SQL to retrieve data in an efficient manner from multiple databases. SQL offers data analysis, storage, retrieval, and processing capabilities that can help pinpoint the insights hidden in complex data.

• Python. Some of the most popular uses of Python for data analysis purposes include data mining, data processing, data modeling, and data visualization. Python also has numerous free libraries of reusable code that can be very useful in enhancing the efficiency of data analysis.

• Tableau. Tableau is a tool that creates data visualizations rapidly. It also gives professionals in data analytics the ability to clean and organize data efficiently. In addition, Tableau is known for enabling users to produce interactive dashboards that make information more understandable.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS, Amazon’s cloud computing platform, offers a variety of data analytics services, such as data warehousing, data dashboards, and data visualizations. AWS also enables data analysts to use built-in machine learning to develop and deploy analytics models.

What Does a Data Analyst Do That Requires Hard Skills?

In addition to becoming adept at using some of the most common tools of data analysis, people who analyze data benefit from cultivating certain hard skills. For example, professionals in the field can strengthen their ability to derive meaning from data by developing hard skills in areas such as:

• Data visualization. Data visualization is representing data through visuals such as graphics, infographics, plots, charts, or animation. People with strong visualization skills can illustrate complicated data relationships in ways that make those relationships easier to understand. Summarizing data visually can spur ideas and help to identify patterns and trends in data. Learn more about what data visualization is.

• Presentations. Closely related to data visualization skills, presentation skills for data analytics also are critical to professionals in the field. Data analytics professionals need to have skills in storytelling and in selecting the visualizations or charts that will best meet the needs of their intended audience.

• Machine learning. Machine learning is used in data analysis to automate the process of building analytics models. With machine learning, computers can learn directly from data and do not require specific programming. When data analysts have a strong understanding of machine learning, they can analyze large amounts of complex data faster and more accurately.

• Data warehousing. Organizations can take advantage of data warehousing to place all their data in a central repository for analysis and avoid segregating the data into silos. Knowledge of data warehousing can strengthen data analysts’ productivity and enable them to perform optimal data analysis.

• Data collection systems. Data analysis is only as good as the data itself. To ensure they can perform the best analysis, data analysts need to have strong skills in developing data collection systems and in creating strategies for improving the process of collecting data.

• Business intelligence (BI) tools. BI tools are application software programs that collect large amounts of data from both internal and external sources, such as documents, images, emails, videos, books, and journals. While they are not always as flexible as business analytics tools, business intelligence tools enable data analysts to prepare data for analysis and querying, as well as to create things such as dashboards, visualizations, and performance scorecards.

Key Soft Skills in Data Analytics

Key soft skills can complement data analytics skills. For example, data analysts benefit from skills in areas such as:

• Communication. Strong skills in speaking, writing, and listening can enable professionals in data analytics to fulfill the requests of an organization’s employees. Having the ability to ask good questions that pinpoint users’ needs also can be very beneficial.

• Critical thinking. Cultivating the ability to think in a logical and rational manner to address issues consistently is important to any data analytics professional. For example, it can allow them to choose appropriate data models, identify biases in queries, and assess the accuracy of the results of data analysis.

• Curiosity. Remaining curious helps data analytics professionals keep learning different approaches to data analysis. It also informs their ability to form a deeper understanding of data and the insights that data can offer.

• Creativity. Data analytics professionals rely on their creativity to develop new methods of data analysis and consider multiple perspectives and possibilities when approaching data analysis.

• Collaboration. Professionals working in data analytics frequently work on teams and, therefore, benefit from strong skills in respecting other team members, remaining open to other team members’ ideas, and listening to team members’ opinions on how to address issues that may arise.

• Problem-solving. Data analysis can be challenging, and professionals in the field need to be able to address situations in which, for example, data is missing or data requires complex reformatting prior to analysis.

• Attention to detail. Paying attention to all aspects of data and data analysis can strengthen data analytics professionals’ ability to detect errors, recognize biases, and fully interpret the meaning hidden in data.

How to Improve Your Data Analytics Skills

When you know how to improve your data analytics skills, you can strengthen your value to potential employers and take advantage of new approaches for analyzing data. Data analytics professionals have a number of opportunities to strengthen and augment their skills.

Attend a Data Analytics Bootcamp to Improve Data Analytics Skills

Participating in a bootcamp focused on data analytics enables people to build and improve their skills in the field. Fullstack Academy’s live online Data Analytics Bootcamp features elements such as:

• Live instruction and the use of interactive technology

• Real-world applications of data analytics skills and concepts

• Opportunities to work in a team environment and build soft skills

• Career services in areas such as developing a resume, optimizing a LinkedIn profile, preparing for interviews, and negotiating job offers

Fullstack Academy’s bootcamp teaches students how to use data analytics tools such as SQL, Python, Tableau, and AWS, enabling them to enhance their versatility in data analysis and data gathering. The bootcamp that Fullstack Academy offers also provides instruction in areas such as:

• Data-driven storytelling

• Creating analytical storyboards

• Building dashboards

• Designing advanced charts

In a 2022 report, technology news website Tech Behind It noted several advantages of attending a technology bootcamp. For example, an online bootcamp:

• Provides intensive instruction to help students meet their career goals

• Is more affordable and can be completed faster than a traditional college degree program

• Enables students to network with other students and instructors

• Offers the opportunity to learn from any location

• Focuses on practical training for career advancement

How to Improve Data Analytics Skills on Your Own

After attending a bootcamp, individuals also can take advantage of several methods for strengthening their data analytics skills on their own. For example, they can:

• Watch data analysis tutorials online

• Read books and newsletters about data analysis techniques

• Review websites such as StackOverflow.com for solutions to data analytics coding issues

Practicing data analysis also can be a great way for individuals to refine their data analytics skills. For example, aspiring data analytics professionals can:

• Use public data sets that are available on the internet to practice data analysis

• Participate in online data analytics competitions

• Search for and complete data analytics exercises online

• Participate in online data analytics forums

How to Include Data Analytics Skills on Your Resume

Learning data analytics techniques can be an interesting personal exercise, but the primary goal of acquiring data analytics skills is typically to get a job in the field. Part of pursuing a job involves building a strong resume.

Resume website Zety recommends that individuals craft their resumes for data analytics jobs keeping these things in mind:

• Place skills and experience near the top so that potential employers will see relevant information quickly.

• Order skills and experience in reverse chronological order so that the most recent information appears first.

• Craft the resume so that it is easy to see how the listed experience and skills align with the description of the job in the job posting.

• Use subheadings that are easy to read, and employ white space and legible fonts to boost the readability of the resume.

• Include URLs that link to a portfolio of work or other projects that can highlight relevant knowledge and experience.

• Keep the resume concise, and consider omitting unnecessary information such as a street address.

Resume website Novoresume also offers these suggestions for data analysts:

• Include both hard and soft skills on the resume.

• Include links to LinkedIn and GitHub profiles.

• Include relevant professional certifications on the resume.

• Describe experience by focusing on achievements and not just responsibilities.

Career Opportunities With Data Analytics Skills

Acquiring data analytics skills prepares people for a variety of careers. Below are examples of careers in which individuals can apply their skills in data analytics.

Data Analyst

Data analysts translate data so that organizations can use it to guide their decision-making. Examples of job responsibilities for data analysts include using data analysis tools to identify patterns, converting data into narratives that answer users’ questions, and preparing data visualizations to share with stakeholders.

Data analysts need to have training in specific data analysis software and programming languages; education in other areas such as statistics and computer science also can be beneficial.

Lightcast™ reports that, as of December 2022, the annual median salary for data analysis was $86,400. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected 36% growth in data science jobs between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average growth for all occupations combined.

Business Consultant

Individuals can put their skills in data analytics to use working as business consultants. Business consultants help organizations strengthen operations and achieve their goals. Their responsibilities can include tasks such as assessing specific business functions, identifying opportunities for improvement, and pinpointing new areas for business growth.

Training in data analytics can be beneficial in analyzing an organization’s processes, isolating areas for improving efficiency, and developing ideas for new products or services. Business consultants also benefit from education in business in areas such as finance and marketing.

The median annual salary of business consultants was about $79,000 as of February 2023, according to Payscale. The BLS projects 11% job growth for management consultants and analysts between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average growth for all occupations.

Insights Analyst

Insights analysts perform data analysis using information on customers, sales, or trends in the market to assist companies in making good decisions. Their responsibilities can include researching and identifying new industry trends, analyzing data to strengthen business processes, and monitoring the activities of competitors to pinpoint new products or services coming to the market.

Training and education in fields such as data analysis, computer science, statistics, and economics help insights analysts carry out their responsibilities. Business skills and knowledge also are beneficial in the position.

Payscale reports that the median annual salary for insights analysts was about $61,000 as of February 2023. The BLS has projected 11% job growth for management consultants and analysts through 2031.

Data Analytics Consultant

Using their skills in data analytics to make business forecasts and guide business strategy is the primary purpose of a role as a data analytics consultant. Examples of the responsibilities of this position include recommending ways for businesses to improve their use of data, crafting data models to improve business processes, offering technical expertise on data storage and governance, and designing data flows.

Training and education for data analytics consultants encompasses areas such as data analysis software, statistics, and mathematics. Training in business strategies and operations also is important for data analytics consultants.

According to Payscale, analytics consultants had a median annual salary of about $87,000 as of February 2023. The BLS projects 11% job growth for management analysts and consultants between 2021 and 2031.

Specialization in Data Analyst Careers

When pursuing data analyst careers, individuals can choose to specialize in a variety of different areas. For example, data analytics professionals can specialize in areas such as:

• Artificial intelligence

• Machine learning

• Digital marketing

• Cloud computing

• Network architecture

• Data security and database management

How to Keep Your Data Analytics Skills Current

Data analytics professionals need to maintain and update their data analytics skills to remain competitive in the job market. These activities can help keep one’s data analytics skills up to date:

• Network with other professionals in the field by attending conferences and meetups to learn about new developments and trends in data analytics.

• Read online publications and newsletters to learn about advances in data analytics.

• Participate in study groups on data analytics.

• Find a mentor in the field.

Business intelligence platform company Datapine suggests that data analysts read books on data analytics to stay current, including those that cover subjects such as:

• The advantages and disadvantages of data analytics technologies

• Using data to better understand customers

• Predictive analytics

• Issues in data analytics

• The data-driven mindset

Indeed recommends that data analytics professionals also work on side projects in areas such as:

• Sentiment analysis to determine whether the tone of data is positive or negative

• Interpretation of images

• Customer segmentation to identify target markets

• Data cleaning

• Regression analysis to identify relationships among variables

Charting a Course for a Fulfilling Career Based on Data Analytics Skills

Developing skills in data analytics can put people on the path to fulfilling careers with the potential for advancement. Knowing how to extract insights from data is an invaluable skill that professionals can use to help organizations achieve their objectives.

Individuals who are interested in working in data analytics can explore Fullstack Academy’s live online Data Analytics Bootcamp to learn how it can help them achieve their career goals. Offering the opportunity to develop in-demand data analytics skills and practice real-world applications of those skills, a Fullstack Academy bootcamp could be the ticket to embarking on a new career path. Take the first step on that path today.