What is a Data Analyst?
Data Analysts determine how to use data to answer questions and solve problems. They examine current events in order to identify trends and forecast the future. They’re like detectives, figuring out how things work and making sense of it all. It can be a rewarding, creative, and challenging career.
Analytics combines theory and practice to identify and communicate data-driven insights that enable managers, stakeholders, and other executives to make more informed decisions in an organisation. Experienced Data Analysts consider their work in the context of their organisation as well as various external factors. Analysts can also account for the competitive environment, internal and external business interests, and the absence of specific data sets in data-driven recommendations to stakeholders.
There are four types of data analytics that build on one another to provide increased value to a company. These are:
- Descriptive analytics looks at what happened in the past, such as monthly revenue, quarterly sales, and yearly website traffic. These kinds of findings enable a company to identify trends.
- Diagnostic analytics investigates why something occurred by comparing descriptive data sets in order to identify dependencies and patterns. This assists a company in determining the root cause of a positive or negative outcome.
- Predictive analytics attempts to predict likely outcomes by detecting trends in descriptive and diagnostic analyses. This enables an organisation to take proactive action, such as reaching out to a customer who is unlikely to renew a contract.
- Prescriptive analytics seeks to determine the best course of action for a business. While this type of analysis is extremely valuable in terms of addressing potential problems or staying ahead of industry trends, it frequently necessitates the use of complex algorithms and advanced technology such as machine learning.
Organisations across all industries are increasingly relying on data to make critical business decisions, such as which new products to develop, which markets to enter, which investments to make, and which new (or existing) customers to target. Data is also used to identify inefficiencies and other business issues that must be addressed. The Data Analyst’s job in these organisations is to assign a numerical value to these critical business functions so that performance can be assessed and compared over time. However, the job entails more than just looking at numbers: a Data Analyst must also understand how to use data to help an organisation make more informed decisions.
Responsibilities
On a daily basis, many Data Analysts have the following responsibilities:
- Data collection: Data Analysts frequently collect data on their own. Conducting surveys, tracking visitor characteristics on a company website, or purchasing datasets from data collection specialists could all fall under this category.
- Data cleaning: Raw data may contain duplicates, errors, or outliers. Cleaning the data entails keeping the quality of data in a spreadsheet or programming language so that your interpretations are not incorrect or skewed.
- Modelling data: This entails creating and designing database structures. You might decide what types of data to store and collect, how data categories are related to one another, and how the data will appear.
- Data interpretation: Identifying patterns or trends in data that will assist you in answering the question at hand.
- Presenting: Communicating the findings of your research will be an important part of your job. You accomplish this by creating visualisations such as charts and graphs, writing reports, and presenting information to interested parties.
- Collaborating with programmers, engineers, and organisational leaders to identify process improvement opportunities, recommend system changes, and develop data governance policies.
Salary
The national average salary for a Data Analyst in the UK is £32,899. Ranging from £22,000 to £ 50,000. With average additional compensations amounting to £2,138. The average salary for a Data Analyst in London amounts to £36,535. Ranging from £24,000 to £ 54,000. With average additional compensations amounting to £2,619.
Working hours and work location
Most Data Analysts work in groups, and the majority of their work is done on a computer. Much of the work can be done from home or a remote office, depending on the type of data being gathered. Data Analysts can usually expect to work regular hours, but important projects or approaching deadlines may necessitate some overtime and weekend work.
Data Analysts They work in a variety of fields such as:
- Business
- Finance
- Criminal justice
- Science
- Medicine
- Government.
What to expect
Data Analysts typically use computer systems and calculation applications. Facts and numbers are the starting point, but understanding what they mean and presenting the findings in an interesting way, using graphs, charts, tables, and graphics, is more important. Data Analysts must be able to not only decipher data but also report and explain what differences in numbers mean when compared year to year or across departments. Because Data Analysts frequently have the best understanding of why the numbers are the way they are, they are frequently asked to advise project managers and department heads on specific data points and how they can be changed or improved over time.
The analysis of data typically proceeds through five iterative stages:
- Determine which data you want to examine.
- Collect the information
- Clean the data before analysing it.
- Examine the data
- Interpret the analysis results
Data Analysts frequently use a wide range of tools to improve the accuracy and efficiency of their work during the data analysis process. The following are some of the most commonly used tools in the data analytics industry:
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Sheets
- SQL
- Tableau
- R or Python
- SAS
- Microsoft Power BI
- Jupyter Notebooks
Qualifications
Most entry-level Data Analyst positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Data analysis, mathematics, finance, economics, and computer science are all possible areas of study. A master’s degree in data analysis, data science, IT or business could lead to new and better-paying job opportunities.
Skills
There are several paths to becoming a Data Analyst. Whether you’re fresh out of school or looking to change careers, the first step is often assessing your transferable skills and developing the new skills you’ll need in this new role.
Some of the skills that you will need to possess or acquire include:
- Knowledge of Database tools
- Data visualisation skills: Knowing how to best present information through charts and graphs will ensure that your work is understood by colleagues, employers, and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of Programming languages
- Communication skills: Being able to communicate your ideas to others will be essential for your work as a Data Analyst. Strong written and oral communication skills with colleagues and other stakeholders are valuable
- Problem-solving skills: A Data Analyst must understand the question being asked as well as the problem that must be solved. They should also be able to spot patterns or trends that might hint at a story.
- Critical thinking skills- enable you to focus on the right types of data, identify the most revealing methods of analysis, and identify gaps in your work assets in Data Analysts.
- Knowledge of the industry in which you work will give you an advantage in your work and in job applications. If you’re trying to break into a specific industry, spend some time reading about it in the news or reading a book about it. This can help you become acquainted with the industry’s major issues and trends.
- Leadership abilities- prepare a Data Analyst to complete decision-making and problem-solving tasks. These abilities enable Data Analysts to think strategically about the information that will assist stakeholders in making data-driven business decisions and to effectively communicate the value of this information.
Work experience
When considering how to become a Data Analyst, the first step should be to learn the fundamentals of data analysis as well as data analysis tools.
Courses can be an excellent way to learn fundamental data skills, providing you with a solid technical foundation as well as the ability to gain hands-on experience with:
- Data administration
- Statistical programming
- Programming languages
- Cleaning of data
- Visualisation of data
You will need to work on projects in order to develop your data skills. Create practice projects that cover all aspects of data analysis, including researching companies and market opportunities, determining the parameters of the data you need to collect, gathering and cleaning that data, and modelling and analysing it with custom-built algorithms.
Finally, make beautiful visualisations of the insights you’ve gained from your work, or try organising them into a dashboard that allows others to query and interact with your dataset in a user-friendly manner. Choosing how to demonstrate your data skills and knowledge is one of the most important steps to take when planning how to become a Data Analyst. A professional portfolio is required. Demonstrate your abilities and begin building your professional portfolio in order to get access to the most lucrative positions within data analysis.
Career prospects
Data analysis is a highly transferable skill that can lead to a variety of interesting jobs in both the private and public sectors. Almost every industry has a need for Data Analysts; the fields of sales, marketing, and healthcare typically have the most jobs available at any given time. Many Data Analysts progress to become data scientists. Data scientists, like Data Analysts, analyse data using statistics, maths, and computer science. A scientist, on the other hand, may use advanced techniques to create models and other tools that provide insight into future trends.
People who analyse data may hold additional titles such as:
- Medical and health care analyst
- Market research analyst
- Business analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Operations research analyst
- Intelligence analyst
Your career progression will purely be based on your experience and performance. From the role of a cabin crew member, it’s possible to progress to the position of purser or chief purser – which is the title given to the chief flight attendant. While having similar responsibilities to general cabin crew, pursers will also have managerial responsibilities, such as looking after passengers in first or business class. From here, you can work your way up to supervisor or cabin service director positions – in these positions you will be responsible for the cabin crew on board.
Related Courses
The University of the West of Scotland London offers this two-year, eight-month full-time degree, with a variety of start dates available. Throughout their studies, UWS London students have access to industry experts, guest lecturers, and seasoned professionals. Students can participate in the UK’s economic hub because this program is offered on the London Campus in the country’s capital.
A one-year foundation degree from London’s University of the West of Scotland will prepare you for undergraduate coursework and lay the groundwork for a career in compliance. This course will teach you about current research sources as well as useful case examples. Students’ English language and study skills will improve as they learn about important business courses. After completing the Business Foundation Programme and gaining the necessary knowledge, you will be well-prepared to enter the undergraduate level with confidence.
This one-year full-time program from the University of the West of Scotland will provide you with the executive training you need to launch your Data Analysis career. The London Campus is located in the heart of the financial district of London, providing you with a unique perspective on UK business.
This program is taught at the University of the West of Scotland’s London Campus, so you’ll be studying in the heart of the UK’s industry. This one-year, full-time program is designed for students with no prior experience with computers or information technology. The course will teach you critical IT skills that will help you prepare for a job as a Data Analyst.
