The worldwide marketplace has increasingly relied on digital resources, and data has emerged as the most valuable commodity for businesses across all industries. Investors, stakeholders, C-suite executives, and other members of organizational leadership leverage data to gain invaluable insights about consumers, business partners, and even their own companies.

They use this information to guide decision-making and increase their chances of achieving sustained success in this ultra-competitive economy. Data analysts are at the center of our data-driven economic ecosystem. Due to the surging demand for these services, data analytics has become a top career choice.

In this article, we provide you with valuable information about the field of data analysis so that you can determine whether a data analytics career choice is right for you. We also highlight seven factors that make this career path appealing and discuss how you can start your journey toward becoming a data analyst.

Table of Contents

1. What is Data Analytics?
2. Why is Data Analytics a Good Career?
3. Is Data Analytics the Right Career for Me?
4. Become a Data Analyst with Pathstream

What is Data Analytics?

Many people have misconceptions about what data analysts do. To clarify these misunderstandings, let’s briefly recap the roles and responsibilities of a data analyst within a corporate environment.

Generally speaking, the role of a data analyst is to assess massive data sets and draw out useful insights that can help guide organizational decision-making. They try to identify trends and make accurate predictions about future events, a process known as predictive analytics.

Tools such as Tableau, Python, and advanced AI-driven platforms make this crucial research possible. Data analysts and data scientists operate within various industries, but more on that in the next section.

Why is Data Analytics a Good Career?

Now, let’s discuss why the field of data analytics has become such a sought-after career path. We’ll outline the field’s benefits below.

1. Industry is Growing

As reliance on digital marketing, internet-based advertising, and advanced technologies continues to rise, businesses in new and traditional industries will develop a need for data analysis services. Currently, data analysts and data scientists work in the following sectors:

• Investment banking
• General Finance
• Insurance
• Private Equity
• Healthcare
• Marketing
• Retail
• Tech
• E-commerce
• Telecommunications
• Business Intelligence (BI)
• Renewable energy

In addition to the specific industries above, many small businesses contract with data analysts to gain insight into the state of their company. If you pursue a career as a data analyst, you will have the opportunity to work in various fields based on your individual interests and professional goals.

2. Opportunity to Enhance Strategy Development Skills

One of the most popular sub-specialties within the data analytics field is “predictive analytics,” where analysts gain insights from data sets to predict future events. However, in 2024, predictive analytics is often coupled with prescriptive analytics, where analysts also recommend actions based on those predictions.

3. Work with Others

While data analysts may spend hours sifting through piles of information, they are by no means solitary. Most data analysts have ample opportunity to collaborate with others during any given shift. They may partner with other analysts, meet with managerial staff, or present their findings—often via data visualization tools like Tableau—to C-suite executives.

4. Data Analytics is Essential to Businesses

Employing a team of talented data analysts has become essential for organizations operating in several major industries. Insurance companies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and many other entities rely heavily on the services of data analysts to guide key decision-making processes.

5. Remote Work Opportunities

Another significant benefit of becoming a data analyst is the abundance of remote and hybrid work opportunities. This flexibility allows you to seek exciting job opportunities without relocating. You can apply to jobs across the nation and abroad, working with global teams in various time zones.

6. Strong Earning Potential

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.

7. High Demand

The overall job outlook for data analysts is extremely positive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the demand for “operations research analysts” will increase by 25% by 2030.

Is Data Analytics the Right Career for Me?

Still not quite sure if a data analytics career choice is the right decision for you? Successful data analytics professionals usually possess the following qualities:

• Attention to detail
• Self-motivation
• Curiosity and passion for problem-solving
• A healthy dose of skepticism
• The ability to spot patterns
• Creativity
• Adaptability and cultural awareness

If you possess some or all of these attributes and are interested in a career in demand, you may be a good fit for the data analytics profession.

Become a Data Analyst with Pathstream

Have you decided that data analytics is the right career path for you? Pathstream can help you pursue your dreams through our certificate programs, which are offered in partnership with leading academic institutions like NYU, Texas A&M, and more. In our programs, you’ll gain essential analytical skills, become proficient in using platforms like Tableau for data analysis, and much more.