How to Become a Data Analyst
By Lumify Learn Team | December 12, 2024
How to Become a Data Analyst
A career as a data analyst is a rewarding and exciting undertaking that is currently in demand with employers, with the industry expected to be worth $650 billion by 2029. Data analyst job roles are available in businesses operating across a range of industries, including healthcare, finance and intelligence.
If you’re interested in becoming a data analyst, this article is for you. We’ll outline five tips that can help you land a job in data analytics, and the best Lumify Learn data, analytics and AI courses that can help you upskill. Regardless of whether you have a relevant degree or not, our online courses can help bring you up to speed with all the latest trends, programs and practical applications of data analytics across a range of industries.
What Does a Data Analyst Do?
The primary role of a data analyst is to make informed judgements and business decisions based on trends and historical information. To do so, data analysts gather, clean and study data for patterns that could guide improvements or open up new opportunities for their organisation.
While a degree in data is not a requirement for most entry-level analytics roles, confidence in maths, computer science and arithmetic will hold you in the best possible position for a career as a data analyst.
How to Become a Data Analyst: 5 Steps for Success
Starting jour journey towards a career as a data analyst may seem daunting, especially if you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree in the field to support your case. Fortunately, there is more than one way to enter the industry. Regardless of your previous education, here are a number of tips that can help you land your first data analytics job role.
1. Learn the Basics of Data Analysis
Understanding basic concepts of data analytics, including how to collect, clean and display information, will be critical to your job readiness. If you don’t have a background education in maths, you can start by experimenting with programs such as Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel and other basic data analysis software. In fact, most data analytics job roles will specify proficiency in Microsoft Excel as either a requirement or highly desirable skill.
2. Develop Technical Data Analytics Skills
Once you’ve developed some basic skills, it is beneficial to apply them to more in-depth concepts and programs. If you choose to study the data analytics courses available from Lumify Learn, you’ll gain hands-on experience with programming languages like Pyhton, R Studio and SQL. Knowledge of these technical skills, along with the ability to communicate information using data, will be highly beneficial when applying for data analytics jobs.
3. Gain Practical Experience
Knowledge of the technical concepts and skills required to be a data analyst is one thing, but seeing how they are used by industry professionals is another. Whether it’s an internship, a study program or another industry project, gaining hands-on experience will be invaluable when applying for your first job in data analytics.
4. Become an Expert in Data Visualisation
As you continue your work in the analytics field, you will likely become more comfortable with collating and arranging data in a way that tells a story. This is a key skill of being a data analyst, as it can help your organisation make informed decisions about critical future strategies. Developing a portfolio of your best work can make you appear more attractive when searching for your first industry role.
5. Build a Professional Network
While having the required skills are an important component of the data analytics role, landing your first job is often a result of the network you have around you. Whether it’s through LinkedIn, industry events or professional meetings, building your network of trusted partners may help you find your path into the data analytics sector.
Data Analyst Job Role Outlook
In the second half of the 2020s, the demand for data analysts both in Australia and across the globe is expected to surge dramatically, with a 27 percent increase in job growth projected by forecasters.
Along with a broadening market, data analysts also receive competitive yearly salaries, with many jobs paying in excess of $110,000 annually.
If you have been considering a career change into the field of data analytics, now is the perfect time to begin upskilling in anticipation of the projected growth in this highly unique and competitive industry.
Become a Data Analyst with Lumify Learn
Learn the data analytics skills you need to land your first industry job with Lumify Learn. Courses such as the Certified Data Science Professional, Business Analysis Certified Professional and Certified Data Analytics Professional all equip you with the skills and knowledge required to prepare you for a career in the field. These courses can be undertaken in 3-6 months and studied fully remotely, to work around your busy schedule.
If you would like to progress your skills even further, you can study Lumify Learn’s courses in web development, such as the Diploma of Information Technology (Back End Web Development) or the Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development). These accredited courses provide you with extra skills that may be desirable for roles that combine data analysis skills with the need to publish your work online.
Build Your Data Analytics Skills Now
While many people wonder how to become a data analyst, Lumify Learn’s step-by-step guide makes it easy for you to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to apply for your first industry role. Gaining internship experience, building a portfolio and growing your network are all important steps that can help you land that elusive industry job.
To begin your journey towards becoming a data analyst, Lumify Learn’s online courses are the perfect learning companion. Apply now to begin taking on board the data analytics skills that will help you transition into this ever-changing and rewarding line of work. Build on your skills for the digital future, and enquire with us on a course today.
For current IT employees and curious tech-heads alike, Lumify Learn offers industry-aligned and nationally accredited online courses in the following fields:
All courses are conducted 100% online by our expert trainers and mentors. They will do their best to answer questions and ensure that students learn from practical applications and real world examples. And as soon as you complete your course, you can participate in our Lumify Edge program. This initiative will help you revamp your personal brand, receive support from our partners like e2 Cyber and the Australian Computer Society, and connect with employers looking to hire professionals like you.
Build on your skills for the digital future, and enquire with us on a course today.