Explore a career in
Data Analytics
Learn to perform powerful data analysis using Tableau, SQL, and spreadsheets. Develop the analytical skills needed to drive business decisions across a growing number of jobs and industries.
with data analytics skills
Will be spent by companies on data
analytics by 2025 (Statistica)
Learn more about Data Analytics
About Data Analytics
Data and business analytics is a fast-growing field, with the global data analytics market projected to exceed $65 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. As businesses generate more data than ever before, the demand for analysts to interpret this information is surging. According to Lightcast, over 1.2 million job postings in the last 12 months required data analytics skills.
Data analytics is the process of discovering and interpreting meaning from a collection of information known as data. It is essential for business leaders because it allows them to:
- Understand how a business is performing
- Diagnose existing problems
- Predict future trends
- Optimize business processes
What does a Data Analyst do?
Data analysts manipulate, organize, and process information to uncover patterns and trends that inform business decisions. Their primary focus is gathering information from various sources and interpreting these patterns and trends. The insights they uncover are then reported and used to guide decision-making across different aspects of a company’s operations.
Just as detectives collect, analyze, and gain insights from clues and evidence, data analysts do the same with data. They use this information to help understand how the business is performing, enabling leaders to make informed choices.
Day-to-day tasks performed by Data Analysts
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a data analyst looks like? Are you curious about the day-to-day roles and responsibilities in one of today’s fastest-growing fields? As businesses generate more data than ever before, companies increasingly rely on qualified data analysts to collect, analyze, and interpret key information. A data analyst’s typical day involves:
Clean and Store Data
Review their organization’s virtual storage, ensuring there are no security breaches.
Maintain Dashboards
Create a simple dashboard to capture, track, and present data in a way that is meaningful to your business.
Conduct Analyses
Acquire data and analyze it using statistical techniques to interpret trends and uncover patterns. Afterward, prepare a report for the Data Manager to review.
Communicate Insights
Prepare a presentation each quarter to communicate how your organization is performing.
Create Reports
Present essential business insights to the executive team using Tableau. Create clear and compelling charts to highlight the critical information they need for decision-making.
Skills you already have that are relevant to a career in Data Analytics
People with diverse work histories have successfully transitioned into data analyst roles. Former nurses, warehouse associates, and bus drivers have all made the move to data analytics. With the right soft skills, you can learn the technical skills needed to succeed.
This job might be the right fit for you if you:
- Enjoy working with numbers
- Are detail-oriented
- Exhibit curiosity
- Have strong problem-solving skills
Data Analyst salary potential
Data analyst salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as education, work experience, location, and industry.
According to Built In, the median salary for a data analyst is $84K. Meanwhile, Salary.com reports a median annual salary of $76K for those just starting in the field. Data analysts with over 5 years of experience can earn between $90-95K in the U.S.
Projected demand for Data Analytics
One million business analysts are currently employed in the U.S. (CareerExplorer), and according to Lightcast, jobs requiring Tableau skills are projected to grow by 21%.
The top industries looking to hire data analysts or promote include:
- Business Intelligence (ex. Amazon and Netflix)
- Finance (ex. JPMC and Bank of America)
- Healthcare (ex. UnitedHealth Group and CVS)
- E-commerce and retail (ex. Walmart and Target)
- Telecommunications (ex. AT&T and Verizon)
Demand for data professionals is projected to grow by 26% by 2026.
How to become a Data Analyst?
You’ve done your research, and you’ve decided to become a data analyst. It’s a smart choice—demand for data analysts is booming, making it a top career option. But there’s just one problem: you don’t have the technical skills, experience, or a college degree to land an entry-level data analyst job.
Here’s the good news: becoming an entry-level data analyst without prior experience or a college degree is possible. To break into data analytics, you’ll need to develop a mix of skills in spreadsheets, data storage, data visualization, and statistics.
The Data Analytics Certificate Program
In the Data Analytics Certificate Program, you’ll learn how to understand, visualize, and analyze raw data, as well as how to run SQL queries. This program is designed to make you a competitive candidate for companies hiring data analysts. The certificate program is 100% online and tailored for busy individuals looking to advance their careers. With this certificate, you can become a data analyst even without prior experience.
Learning with support
You’ll have access to dedicated instructors who will support your learning journey and provide personalized feedback. Working at your own pace, you’ll tackle projects that mirror real-world tasks you’ll encounter on the job. Our career services include coaching, interview preparation, and job connections to help you secure a data analyst position and achieve your goals.
Master in-demand skills
For example, you’ll complete a real-world data analysis, normalize a database using MySQL, and create dashboards and stories to share insights using Tableau. You’ll master in-demand skills and technologies like spreadsheets, statistical analysis, and data visualization.
Step up to the role
Most importantly, when you finish this program, you’ll be ready to apply for roles as a data analyst, business analyst, sales analyst, or marketing analyst at companies like Facebook, Lowe’s, Whole Foods, and Boeing. Alternatively, you’ll be equipped to take on more data-focused responsibilities in your current role.
