Do you enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles? Do you have a secret strategy that allows you to solve the puzzle faster than your friends? Data analytics is a process that can assist you as it is similar to assembling a jigsaw puzzle.
The smartest and simplest strategy for solving jigsaw puzzles is to first collect all of the puzzle pieces and then correctly fit them together to create the final image.
Similarly, data analytics requires you to analyze data gathered from various sources, clean it, and then convert it into information that humans can understand. For example, visually representing data in the form of graphs and charts that provide precise analysis results of a company’s information, product innovations, market trends, and so on.
Do you aspire to be a data analyst or just explore the field? In either case, you’ve come to the right place! This blog discusses the skills required, colleges and courses, salary, and top companies for the ‘data analyst’ career. Follow the step-by-step guide in the blog to become a data analyst.
Who is a data analyst?
A data analyst manipulates and studies data before reporting their findings to their organisation in order to identify opportunities and improvements. A data analyst holds the keys to data-driven business decisions, making it a highly sought-after position.
Learn more – How to become a Retail Manager – A Complete Guide
How to become a data analyst?
Step 1: Stream to select
Students are advised to choose the Science stream with Maths as one of the subjects to become Data Analysts. Alternatively, you can also choose Commerce with mandatory Math as a subject because data analysts need a strong foundation in mathematics to succeed. Before learning how to become a data analyst, you may need to review and, if necessary, improve your math skills.
Step 2: Certification courses and project courses
The certification courses listed below can help you become a data analyst.
- CareerFoundry Data Analytics Program
- Springboard Data Analytics Career Track
- Wharton Business Analytics Online Certificate Program
- Cloudera Data Analyst Training Course and Certification
- BrainStation Data Analytics Certificate
- Harvard University Business Analytics Course
- Thinkful Data Analytics Immersion Course
- General Assembly Data Analytics Course
- MIT Sloan School of Management Applied Business Analytics Certificate
The following are the best data analytics boot camps that provide excellent data analytics courses:
- DataCamp data analytics boot camp
- Thinkful data analytics boot camp
- CareerFoundry data analytics boot camp
- Springboard data analytics program
- General Assembly data analytics program
- BrainStation data analytics boot camp
Step 3: Educational qualifications to be a data analyst
While a bachelor’s degree is the most common entry-level requirement, some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in data analytics or a related field. According to a 2017 IBM study, 6% of data analyst job descriptions required a master’s or doctoral degree.
How to become a data analyst after 10th?
Students interested in data analysis can enrol in the science stream after 10th, which includes physics, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics subjects. During this time, they should learn how to use their analytical thinking and data handling decision-making skills.
Try it out yourself with the Students interested in data analysis can enrol in the science stream after 10th, which includes physics, chemistry, mathematics, and statistics subjects. During this time, they should learn how to use their analytical thinking and data handling decision-making skills. Try it out yourself with the Clever Harvey- JuniorMBA Data Analytics.
How to become a data analyst after 12th?
Students who have completed their 12th board exams and the entrance exam are eligible to enrol in a bachelor’s degree programme such as B.E. or B.Tech. Candidates may also study for a BCA, BSc in Computer Science, BSc in Mathematics, and so on.
Many begin their careers as data analysts by attending an online boot camp or course to learn technical skills and languages like SQL, Microsoft Excel, R, or Python.
- UG courses to become a data analyst in India:
Course | Duration | Fees |
Bachelor’s in Computer Application (BCA) | 3 years | ₹80,000 to ₹3,00,000 |
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) | 4 years | ₹2,50,000 to ₹5,00,000 |
Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) | 3-4 years | ₹4,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BCompSc or BCS or BSCS or B.Sc. CS) | 3 years | ₹60,000 to ₹3,00,000 |
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (B.Sc. Mathematics) | 3 years | ₹3,000 to ₹80,000 |
- Top UG colleges to become a data analyst in India:
Name of Institution | Location |
SRM University Chennai – SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Kattankulathur |
Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute | Chennai |
Presidency University | Bangalore |
Annamalai University | Chidambaram |
HITS Chennai – Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | Chennai |
Jain University | Bangalore |
JIS University | Kolkata |
JECRC University | Jaipur |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | Navi Mumbai |
Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya | Indore |
- UG courses to become a data analyst abroad:
Course | Duration | Fees |
Bachelor of computer science (BCS) | 4 years | ₹25,00,000 to ₹50,00,000 |
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (BS Mathematics) | 3-4 years | Starts from ₹20,50,000 |
Bachelor of Science in Statistics (BS Statistics) | 3-4 years | ₹9,00,000 to ₹45,00,000 |
- Top UG colleges to become a data analyst abroad:
Name of Institution | Location |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States |
Stanford University | United States |
Carnegie Mellon University | United States |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | United States |
University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore |
Harvard University | United States |
University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology | Switzerland |
EPFL | Switzerland |
Also read about : How to become a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Step 4: How to prepare for the job?
- Work on projects with real data: Working with data in real-world settings is the best way to learn how to find value in it. There are also a number of free public data sets available that you can use to create your own projects.
- Develop a portfolio: As you experiment with data sets on the internet or complete hands-on assignments in your classes, keep your best work for your portfolio in mind. A strong portfolio demonstrates your abilities as well as some key skills such as conceptual and practical thinking as well as problem-solving abilities to hiring managers. Get the chance to create multiple industry projects certified by leading brands in the Clever Harvey- Future CEO, which will aid in the development of a truly well-rounded portfolio of expertise.
- Practice presenting your findings: It’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of data analysis, but don’t overlook your communication skills. Presenting your findings to decision-makers and other stakeholders in the company is an important aspect of working as a data analyst. When you can tell a story with data, you can assist your organisation in making data-driven decisions.
- Get an entry-level data analyst job: After gaining some experience working with data and presenting your findings, it’s time to polish your resume and begin applying for entry-level data analyst jobs. Don’t be afraid to apply for positions you don’t feel 100 percent qualified for.
10 most important skills for becoming a data analyst
- Programming Languages (R/SAS)
- Analytical and Creative Thinking
- Strong and Effective Communication
- Data Visualization
- Data Warehousing
- SQL Databases
- Database Querying Languages
- Data Mining, Cleaning, and Munging
- Microsoft Excel Advanced
- Machine Learning
Know about – Career as a Product Manager – Kickstart Guide
Salary of a data analyst in India and Abroad:
Salary in India
Based on 950 salaries, an entry-level data analyst with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₹372,120.
Salary Abroad
The following are some entry-level data analyst salaries from around the world.
Country | Annual Salary |
United States | $58,047 |
United Kingdom | £24,907 |
Canada | C$51,426 |
Australia | AU$62,235 |
Singapore | S$45,005 |
Germany | €41,417 |
Denmark | 409,458 Kr |
Malaysia | RM 37,090 |
Top 10 recruiters in India
1. Accenture 2. Tata Consultancy Services 3. Cognizant Technology Solutions 4. Amazon 5. Capgemini 6. Infosys 7. EY 8. Deloitte 9. IBM 10. Wipro |
Top 10 recruiters abroad
1. Bank of America 2. Goldman Sachs 3. Cox Communications 4. Nextiva 5. Ballad Health 6. Kaiser Permanente 7. Sony Pictures 8. Walt Disney 9. Starbucks 10. Target |
More about data analysts?
If you’ve arrived at this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you like data analysts and may one day become one yourself! As an added bonus, a list of movies demonstrating the power of data analytics is included. Check them out and have fun exploring more!
- X+Y (2014)
- The Imitation Game (2014)
- The Bank (2001)
- Pi (1998)
- Moneyball (2011)
- Minority Report (2002)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- ExMachina (2015)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- 21 (2008)
FAQs related to how to become data analyst
What qualifications do I need to be a data analyst?
Although a bachelor’s degree is the most common entry-level qualification, some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree in data analytics or a related field. According to a 2017 IBM study, only 6% of data analyst job descriptions required a master’s or doctoral degree.
Can I become data analyst in 3 months?
Ans: Make the most of your three months and learn everything you can. Because time is limited, the emphasis should be on learning Excel, SQL, R/ Python, Tableau/ PowerBI, and ML if time allows. Investing your time in projects will also give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Is it easy to become a data analyst?
Ans: Data analysis can be more difficult to learn than other fields in technology because the skills required to perform Data Analyst jobs can be highly technically demanding. But with the current global shortage of data professionals, the role of Data Analysts is in high demand, which means higher pay and better job security.
How many years does it take to become a data analyst?
Ans: An entry-level position (internship/junior) in data analytics can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. It can take four years or more to advance to the level of a senior data analyst. However, how long it takes to become a Data Analyst ultimately depends on you and how much time you are willing to devote to learning.
How do I become a data analyst with no experience?
Ans: A degree programme or professional certification is not for everyone. If you lack the experience and skills required to become a data analyst but cannot afford the time or money required for schooling, here’s how to get started. Follow these steps to gain the knowledge required to become a data analyst.
– Start with Self-Study
– Try Out Data Analytics Projects
– Create a Portfolio
– Apply for Internships and Jobs