Data is the big buzz word for businesses now. All large and small corporations are looking to use data to strategize better. It’s no wonder then that Data Analysts are in high demand now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. If you’re looking for a secure tech career, this is one that is poised to see massive growth for the coming decade.
At HiCounselor, we want our readers to be able to put their best foot forward. We also know the right way to do it involves arming yourself with the right skillset. Read on to find out which skills are a must-have for Data Analysts. If you need more help mapping out your career, contact us and have a chat with one of our helpful mentors.
1. R/Python
Statistical programming languages, like R and Python, are powerful and fast tools that belong in the arsenal of all Data Analysts. These two are used to perform advanced analyses and predictive analyses for large data sets. These are pretty standard for the industry and are listed as requirements in many Data Analyst job openings. Both languages are open source and free so you can take your pick.
2. SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is an established industry standard skill for Data Analysts. This database language might be the most important one as it’s considered to be the high-end version of Microsoft Excel, handling vast amounts of data that Excel can’t keep up with. SQL is used to store and manage data, edit databases, compare databases, etc. This skill has become so important that even non-techies are picking it up.
3. Microsoft Excel
This tool goes beyond being a simple spreadsheet and offers some analytical power as well. You can’t use it for truly vast amounts of data, but the options for writing Macros and using VBA lookups are often preferred for smaller and quicker analysis needs. Not only is this tool used in almost all businesses, if you’re working at a smaller firm, this might be the main tool you’ll use so add it to your Data Analyst skills.
4. Machine Learning
As the field of Data Science has grown, AI and predictive analysis have become very popular with Data Analysts. It then makes sense to add Machine Learning (ML) to your skillset. Currently, not all analysts are using ML for their work, but it’s all set to become increasingly important so it’s best to be ahead of the curve. To get good at this field, you need to first work on your statistical programming skills.
5. Data Visualization
As a techie, you can see data and draw all kinds of information from it. That doesn’t hold true for your audience. The best Data Analysts are good storytellers who know how to present their findings to others. If you want your findings to be used to improve things for the business, you have to present it in eye-catching ways. This is why a key skill for many Data Analysts is Tableau’s visualization software.
6. Data Cleaning
When you collect data, there are bound to be some errors and inconsistencies. If these aren’t removed, the final result will not be as effective as it should be. You need to clean data to build ML models worth their salt. Some experts estimate that Data Analysts spend around 80% of their time cleaning data to improve results. Since bad data means bad decisions, this is a skill all Data Analysts must possess.
7. MATLAB
This programming language is being utilized more and more by businesses dealing with big data. This is because it allows you to implement algorithms, manipulate matrices, plot data, and more. This is an important skill for Data Analysts to master because it cuts down their time considerably while allowing them to clean, organize, and visualize data. Given it’s far-reaching uses, MATLAB looks like it’s here to stay.
We hope this guide helps you decide which data analyst skills you'd like to improve. If you’re looking to get started in this field but are unsure of how to proceed, get in touch with us at HiCounselor and let one of our experts help you out!
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