Thinking about becoming a Data Analyst? 5 arguments to help you decide!

A data analyst is a specialist who collects and evaluates data to analyze issues more thoroughly. They can decide on the best course of action for a team or organization using the information they receive. Data analysts are in high demand and serve businesses in many different industries. They engage with executives inside an organization and base their recommendations on the data they collect and assess.

Depending on their workplace and the particular data they evaluate, data analysts may have a variety of management duties. A data analyst may be responsible for managing the following duties:

Depending on the position, there might be different expectations as to what qualifications are needed. In most cases, employers expect a high school or university degree paired with practical experience and technical as well as communication skills.

Unlike other professions, the path to becoming a Data Analyst can be quite easy as your motivation to work with data is the most important prerequisite. The Data Analytics bootcamp by Le Wagon, for example, is accessible for everyone who wants to become a Data Analyst in a matter of weeks – even if they don't have any preexisting knowledge in the field.

Based on you individual situation, there might be various reasons to make a career change towards becoming a Data Analyst. Here are 5 that are true for most people:

1. Your gateway into the world of tech
While training to become a Data Analyst, you will acquire abilities that you can use in other jobs as well. Even if you complete your training and decide to work in a different position later on, you can take entry-level data analyst positions to hone your abilities and gain experience. For instance, you can learn more about computers, comprehend data organization systems, and work in cross-functional teams. This knowledge will serve you well if you choose to switch to other roles in software development, data science, product management or corporate leadership.

2. An essential role in every organization
As a Data Analyst, you will be an important expert in any type of company. Your technical experience, paired with problem-solving skills will be a valuable asset for employers and other stakeholders alike. This doesn't only lead to higher job security but also provides a deep sense of purpose to what you do. You will experience your job as rewarding which in many cases leads to less stress and more happiness in your professional life.

3. Attractive salaries
A career as a Data Analyst might open doors to positions with higher than average salaries. How much you make as a Data Analyst depends on a variety of factors, including your education, performance, and talents. Data Analysts make an average yearly pay of €57.000 in Germany, according to Gehalt.de. Your annual salary as a data analyst may also depend on other factors, such as your geographic region. For comparison, the average pay in the USA is $72.000, according to Indeed.

4. Increasing demand
The fact that the area of data analysis is expanding and providing individuals with additional career options is another motivation to choose this career path. For example, keywords such as "Data Analyst" and "Data Analytics" have seen a steady incline on Google Trends for the past 5 years now. At the same time Stepstone, the leading recruiting platform, is listing almost 7.000 open positions for Data Analysts in Germany alone. These statistics go to show that opportunities for Data Analysts are manifold.

5. Your dream job in any industry
With digitalization being omnipresent these days, Data Analysts are a crucial component for success in all types of companies and organizations. This makes it easy for you to apply for jobs in the industry that most closely matches your preferences. If you enjoy reading or playing games, for instance, you can decide to work as a Data Analyst for a publisher or a gaming software company. And these are only two examples. You will see that there are opportunities in a wide range of sectors including e-commerce, entertainment, NGO's, insurance, software development, consulting, and startups of all kinds. 

Depending on your interests and career path, different aspects of Data Analytics will be important for you. However, these are some of the fundamentals you will need to become a successful Data Analyst.

Understand data sourcing
Discovering business KPIs and learn how to collect data from various sources to run common analyses (churn, funnel, CAC, AB test, time to convert, etc.)

Master data extraction and transformation
Learning to extract data using APIs, automation tools or product tracking. Transform and load data on a warehouse building the right data layers and using advanced SQL.

Learn BI and data visualization
Communicating your results clearly using the right visualizations and building automated dashboards with the most used BI tools.

Learn Python for Data Analytics
Running analysis on big data sets using Python and Jupyter notebook. Learning the foundations of Machine Learning with Python to collaborate with data scientists or ML engineers.

If you feel like becoming a Data Analyst might be the right fit for you but you're not quite sure just yet, these tips might help with your decision making process:

1. Talk to other Data Analysts
They can give you detailed insights into what it is that they do on a daily basis. This will make it easier for you to understand the tasks and objectives Data Analysts work with. Does it fit your expectations?

2. Reach out to companies hiring Data Analysts
Asking potential employers about their expectations is a great way to develop a sense for the requirements you would need. Do they expect a university degree or would they prefer a more practical education such as a bootcamp where you learn and apply your knowledge to real life projects at the same time? Would they like you to have specific skills or experiences before you join their teams?

3. Scout your options
If pausing your career and going back to university for 3-5 years is not the best option for you, you might find a path that's more suitable for your situation. Ask experienced Data Analysts what their educational path looked like. Research schools, courses and bootcamp providers and opt for the option that best serves your personal situation. 

Did you know that in many cases the German government pays for professional training? The "Bildungsgutschein" is a training voucher that covers 100 % of the costs for a Data Analytics bootcamp if the course is listed with the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter. If you'd like to know more about this financing option feel free to contact our team today and find out if you're eligable.