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How to become a Data Analyst

Data Analyst

Career progression and salary expectations for a Data Analyst

1

Junior Data Analyst

| Up to £25,000
2

Data Analyst

| Up to £35,000
3

Analytics Manager

| Up to £65,000

The role of a Data Analyst

Want to work with numbers? Big fan of ‘big data’? Actually know what ‘big data’ is? You should be a Data Analyst…

Whether it’s sales figures, audience demographics and market research, or keeping track of their overheads, every business, regardless of size, records some kind of data. It’s a Data Analysts' job to interpret this data, find trends, and present this back for this business to act upon.

Typical duties for a Data Analyst could include:

  • Gathering and extracting numerical data
  • Interpreting the numbers
  • Finding trends, patterns and algorithms within the data
  • Analysing market research
  • Presenting these findings back to the business to help inform future decisions
To be successful as a Data Analyst, a high level of statistical literacy and a natural flair for mathematics are key. You will be expected to work at a fast pace, and be able to keep calm under pressure, especially when working to tight deadlines.

Other key skills include:

  • Highly developed organisational skills
  • Pattern recognition
  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Ability to extract and interpret relevant data
  • Excellent attention to detail
"If you love being surrounded by numbers like me, becoming a Data Analyst is the perfect career move for you. If you struggle using a calculator, you may not be quite as happy. Poring over difficult data can be long and laborious at times, but when you identify a trend or see a pattern in the numbers for the first time, it makes all the frustration worthwhile. And even better, I know my work directly impacts what the company decides to do moving forward. How many people can say that?"

Get qualified as a Data Analyst

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