What is the Career Path for a Data Analyst?

The world has moved from an operations-oriented setting to a data-oriented setup. This movement has given rise to increasing demand for people who know how to manage data and draw useful insights from the same. With major disruptions in the technological space, more and more companies are demanding people who know how to manage data. A data analyst is one such person. He is known for his expertise in the field of data management. He is also responsible for converting data insights into simple business activity statements for easy implementation.

Industries where a data analyst can work

A data analyst can work in different kinds of industries. As technology is disrupting, all kinds of industries are looking forward to making use of this disruption and capitalise on the opportunity. Some of the major industries where a data analyst can work are as follows:

  1. Banking: This space has witnessed some of the major transformations in the way things work. With the help of data, everybody can now use mobile banking with satisfaction
  2. Media and Communication: A data analyst can provide different insights on campaign performance, consumer preferences, etc.
  3. Healthcare: This segment is the new elephant. Healthcare with the integration of data is expanding like never before.
  4. Education: EdTech companies use different artificial intelligence techniques to come up with innovative solutions in the education space.

A data analyst can also apply to several manufacturing firms as the automation process are kicking in. A data analytics course will help you in understanding what kind of jobs do data analysts perform in several companies.

The career path of a data analyst

A data analyst has a lot of potentials. He starts from an entry-level role and learns a lot from his experience. He then makes use of these experiences to climb up the ladder. So, the path traversed by a data analyst is as follows:

  1. Data Analyst: A data analyst is an entry-level position for a person who has sufficient knowledge in the field of data science. He is supposed to know preliminary programming languages like R, Python, etc. Also, the average pay of a data analyst is around 6 Lakhs per annum
  2. Associate Data Analyst: As soon as a person masters his job as a data analyst, he is promoted and made an associate data analyst. An associate data analyst earns about Rs.11 Lakhs per annum.
  3. Senior Data Analyst: Reaching this level is difficult. Also, the more steps you take on the ladder, the more difficult it gets. A senior data analyst must be a master of programming languages. A senior data analyst earns around Rs.13 Lakhs per annum.
  4. Product Manager: The company promotes a successful senior data analyst to the post of a product manager. Becoming a product manager is quite hectic. However, the role comes with great learning as well as a great learning opportunity. A product manager in India earns about Rs.16 LPA.
  5. Lead Data Analyst: A lead data analyst comes on one of the top levels of the hierarchy. People expect him to have a cloud computing experience. In India, the average pay is around Rs.20 Lakhs per annum. Lead data analyst is then promoted to a very senior position and can be called a director or vice president based on the norms laid down by the company. At this post, a person earns around 40 lakhs per annum. However, the figure is different across companies.

You can reach at the top in less time by brushing up your skills. An online course would help your cause. Becoming a data analyst is an achievement in itself.

Also Read: What are the Salary Trends in Data Analytics

What Does It Take to Be a Good Data Scientist?

The world is evolving at a fast pace. Technology is one of the major contributing factors which is transforming the world. You can spot a data scientist on the driver’s seat of this change vehicle. A data scientist is not only good with handling data but also knows how to derive insights from the data. You can take up a data science course to understand the nuances of the job.

Skillset Required to Become a Data Scientist

A data scientist must possess a diverse skill set to handle complicated tasks and activities. His insights will contribute to the growth of the organisation. Therefore, a data scientist needs to understand the different aspects of the business. Listed below are some of the skills that a data scientist must have:

  • Must have a good knowledge base of Mathematics or Statistics
  • Must be aware of the different machine algorithms and should also know how to write one
  • Should know how to write codes on programming languages like Python, R etc. because the role involves frequent usage of different software
  • Should be equipped enough to manage large data sets and extract conclusions and outcomes from the same
  • Should have the required domain knowledge
    Must have an analytical bent of mind and problem-solving ability

To get a better insight into what skills should a data scientist have, you can take a data science course. The course will help you in understanding the kind of work a data scientist is required to do and how to become a better data scientist.

The kind of work

Companies ask data Scientists to perform a lot of functions. Some of these functions include:

  • Modeling of Data
  • Data Visualisation
  • Drawing business insights and implementing them
  • Business Interaction
  • Coding
  • Engineering of Database
  • The building of new systems and techniques for solving common issues

Becoming a data scientist is not an easy job. You will have to brush your skill sets or update them for getting ready for the market. Upskilling is important in case you want to become a successful data scientist. Companies are on a hunt to recruit people who are good at the job. Enrolling for an online course is the best way to upskill.

A lot of people also prefer engaging in self-study and train themselves in a particular area. With the increasing automation across industries, data scientists are in huge demand. The skills which are gaining momentum are listed below:

  • FinTech
  • Blockchain
  • Robotics
  • Cybersecurity

The list is not exhaustive. Data Scientists and the jobs related to it are here to say. Companies need data scientists to keep up with the technological changes and disruption in the innovation space. This brings in a need for building your network and growing by interacting with the people belonging to the network. This also helps in gaining insights about the industry.

Applying for a data scientist position

The network which you build while preparing to become a data scientist will help you a lot in getting a job. Therefore, networking plays an important role in the life of data scientists. Social media also helps in landing a job as a data scientist. An undergraduate can also become a data scientist but he will only be given an entry-level role. Postgraduates tend to get better roles in a company. Also, these professionals are paid way higher than the professional who just has an undergraduate degree. Everybody can enrol themselves in an online or an offline course to upgrade skill sets and become a data manager.