Data analysis is not new. In fact, it could be argued that data analysis has been going on at a business level for as long as there have been businesses.
These days, whole teams are responsible for collecting and poring over this important information. There are whole companies, in fact, whose only output is the results of their data mining. Skill sets have evolved as well. A basic grasp of arithmetic is not enough to handle today’s information analysis needs.
Technology has enabled us to gather data in ways and volumes that we never imagined back in our shiny rock days, which means anyone looking to succeed in the field needs to stay current with that technology. They also may need to learn which approach works best for their industry — methods used in the banking and accounting world may not apply successfully in healthcare or marketing.
Organizations may have differing data collection and analysis approaches, but the positive impact is universal. Let’s look at some of the benefits reaped by modern companies with well-trained data analysts in key roles and how professionals can gain the skills they need to take on data analyst roles and responsibilities through an online data analytics program.
Benefits of Having Strong Data Analysts
- Improving business acumen: The ability to successfully interpret where you’ve been helps inform where you are going. This means carefully analyzing as much available business data as possible for companies. If the results don’t align with their goals, it might be time for an adjustment.
- Making improvements: Negative trends can be identified early with careful analysis. With the right tools and people in place, a business can zero in on disconcerting patterns and try to nip them in the bud before they become a threat to operations.
- Measuring impacts: Once an organization pivots based on the knowledge gleaned from good, preemptive data analysis, the analyst’s work doesn’t stop there. Now comes the real fun: ensuring the potentially expensive improvements the business invested in work as advertised.
- Planning for change: As important as measuring implementation success is data analysts’ need to interpret change outside the company. Knowledgeable analysts are critical to evaluating whether the change will benefit or adversely affect business and as an instrumental part of the team recommending a path forward.
The benefits are clear, and the need is evident. So, what does today’s aspiring information wrangler need to bring to the table in the current market to help companies take full advantage of these benefits? What data analyst roles and responsibilities could such a talent expect to be considered for?
Also Read: All About the Data Analyst Skills Professionals Need
Data Analyst Roles and Responsibilities
- Data collection: Before a company can invest time and resources in extensive information analysis, they must ensure they’re working with the right data. Implementing successful strategies for gathering and storing data and then identifying the most likely helpful information is a crucial first step.
- Data cleaning/organization: Sometimes, our data could be done with a bit of tidying. Whether purging garbage information from strained resources or more aesthetic tasks like ensuring that the data we report is spelled and punctuated correctly, a skilled data analyst can manage the data a company captures.
- Data analysis: Here’s where our skilled analyst really shines, taking the potentially vast amount of complex data collected to support an organization and applying a meaningful interpretation to it. Information is not just power — it’s a story. A savvy data analyst can weave that story in a way that allows a company to see where it’s been, where it could go, and even how best to get there.
- Recommendations: Once our intrepid analyst has interpreted the data, it must be presented to decision-makers and stakeholders. And it must be presented in a way that makes sense to them. Compiling hard facts isn’t enough. The story has to be told in a way that business leaders can take direction and maybe even inspiration from. The world’s data analysis won’t help an organization if the conclusions reached can’t be effectively relayed to the people in charge of a company’s future.
Now that you know some of the data analyst duties a professional might be expected to perform, let’s look at some of the job titles and positions available for an enterprising individual with these highly sought-after skill sets.
Jobs for Data Analysts
- Business analyst: Business analysts focus on analyzing data to identify trends and patterns that can be used to make informed business decisions.
- Financial analyst: Financial analysts use data analysis to support investment decisions, analyze financial performance, and identify potential risks.
- Marketing analyst: Marketing analysts use data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and strategies.
- Operations analyst: Operations analysts use data analysis to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
- Healthcare analyst: Healthcare analysts use data analysis to improve patient outcomes, identify trends in patient care, and support clinical decision-making.
- Data scientist: Data scientists use advanced analytics and statistical methods to analyze complex data sets and develop predictive models.
- Data engineer: Data engineers build and maintain the infrastructure to collect, store, and analyze large data sets.
- Data visualization specialist: Data visualization specialists use tools such as charts, graphs, and dashboards to present data in a visual format that is easy to understand.
- Data quality analyst: Data quality analysts ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent across all systems and applications.
Also Read: How To Become a Data Analytics Manager
As you can see, a range of positions in various industries is available to a well-trained data analyst. Every company relies on strong data collection and analysis to propel them forward. And unlike our shiny rock days, today, we have a refreshing variety of positions dedicated to the myriad tasks involved with information gathering and interpretation.
Whether you’re a seasoned analyst looking to level up or a brand-new adherent to the practice of information mining, an online class like this Data Analytics Bootcamp may be just the boost you need. Not only will you learn about some of the more effective methodologies governing modern approaches to data analytics, but you’ll also learn how to use the best tools in the market to support these approaches. AWS, Python, Tableau, and Excel are explored in-depth, along with overall approaches like linear and logistic regression and global data analytics and manipulation.
Classes are interactive and instructor-led by some of the top talents in the field. These experts bring their vast knowledge of industry-specific case studies and integrated lab work to help make the theory more practical and applicable. The six months of class culminate in a business-oriented capstone project, allowing students to hone, validate, and display their brand-new skill sets to handle data analyst roles and responsibilities. Visit us today and see how we can up your data analyst game.
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