The ability to organize, analyze, and present data to audiences that are not tech-savvy is highly prized in this day and age, and it also has the potential to be lucrative. Information is currently the most sought-after commodity in the world. There is an abundance of demand for data analysts, so if you have an interest in computer science and keen attention to detail, you should have no trouble finding work. According to estimates provided by IBM, the number of job openings in the United States for data professionals will rise by 28 per cent to a total of 2,720,000 positions in the year 2020. This will place data analysis among the most in-demand professions in the country.
However, not all careers in data analysis are the same because the field is comprised of several key roles, each of which has its own specific responsibilities and requirements. If you want to choose the right role—perhaps one of the three data analyst jobs that are listed below—then you need to be aware of your strengths, fill in any gaps in your knowledge through education and experience, and constantly work to expand your knowledge base.
Data scientist.
A career as a data scientist might be ideal for you if you want to get hired quickly and are open to the possibility of receiving multiple job offers from companies that pay a high salary. In the vast world of data analyst careers, data scientists are at the top of the food chain because they have mastered the required deep-data science skills, making them valuable to any company in nearly any industry.
Data scientists are frequently sought after by large tech companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel. These data scientists are tasked with conducting research on customer and employee information and providing strategic business and technological recommendations. According to Forbes, the industries of information technology, finance, insurance, and professional services account for 59 per cent of the demand for data scientist jobs.
If you want to work for one of these megacorporations, you will need a degree in computer science or a field that is closely related to it. Some companies, however, prefer candidates to hold a master's or doctoral degree. You will also need to have the necessary skills in distributed computing and predictive modelling, in addition to having a high level of proficiency in a variety of programming languages, including Python, SQL, and Matlab.
Because there is a good chance that you will be working for a corporation, you need to be ready to collaborate with a diverse group of engineers and database administrators, as well as with individuals and groups that are not as technically proficient as you are. You will, however, receive adequate compensation for your skill set and your capacity to function within the framework of a large corporate entity; according to estimates provided by Glassdoor, the average annual salary for data scientists is approximately $96,000.
Data engineer.
Another common route into the field of data analysis is becoming a data engineer. Data engineers, like data scientists, need to be proficient in computer languages; however, the primary focus of data engineering is on the construction and upkeep of the architecture and databases upon which large-scale data-processing systems are built and housed. Data engineers are responsible for the creation and testing of databases to ensure that all processing systems operate effectively.
Your experience as a data engineer will be directly influenced by the size of the company that hires you. [Case in point] Larger businesses typically have more advanced database infrastructures, but this can be a double-edged sword: while you may have access to data-processing tools that are faster and more efficient, you will also have more data to manage and a larger architecture to maintain. It is more likely that you will begin your career as a data engineer at a smaller technology company and work your way up to a company of medium size or, in some exceptional cases, a tech behemoth such as Facebook or Spotify. If this is the path you choose, you should be prepared for a long and challenging road ahead.
The educational requirements needed to work as a data engineer are significantly less stringent than those needed to work as a data scientist. A bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology is typically all that is required for job seekers to obtain an entry-level position in the field of data engineering; however, obtaining a specialized degree in data management or data analytics can give you an advantage in the competitive job market. According to Glassdoor, the annual salary for data engineers is approximately 116 thousand dollars on average.
Analyst of business operations
You might be looking for a data analysis job that requires little to no prior coding experience on your part. If this describes you, then you should think about pursuing a career as a business analyst, which requires only a basic familiarity with programming languages (such as SQL), data engineering jobs visualization tools (such as Tableau), and word processing fundamentals (such as the Microsoft Office suite).
As a business analyst, you will be expected to be an expert at finding solutions to problems, an accomplished project manager, and, above all else, a liaison between the traditionally separate spheres of business and information technology. In addition to having a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or business management, you will need to be in possession of a diverse skill set. This includes having the ability to model data, possessing business intelligence, possessing extraordinary people skills, and having the ability to quickly come up with solutions.
Business analysts are employed by companies of all sizes, and the salary expectations, in addition to the responsibilities, are typically proportional to the size of the organization. According to salary.com, the average annual salary for a business analyst is approximately $57,600, but more experienced business analysts can earn more than that.
The first steps in performing data analysis.
It doesn't matter if you want to go into data science, data engineering, or business analysis; the first thing you need to do when you start looking for the best data analyst jobs is to educate yourself as thoroughly as possible on the duties and responsibilities associated with each of these career paths. After that, earning the appropriate degree in information technology or business can help you land a job as a data analyst that is not only satisfying but also pays well. A job in data analytics can be a good way to bring in some income if you have the necessary skills.
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