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Do you like making spreadsheets for fun? Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Are you a logical problem-solver? If so, you'll make a great data analyst!
What Does A Data Analyst Do?
Data analysts make sense of information. They'll gather, examine, and present data so leaders can make informed decisions.
Essentially, they're telling stories with numbers by:
Extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL) to find, clean, and combine data.
Building databases tostore and query information.
Using computer programming to mine, process, and model data.
Creating visualizations to tell stories using charts and graphs.
Quiz
What are common task(s) for data analysts?
Data analysts gather, examine, and present data to decision-makers of an organization. They can make recommendations, but it's up to the decision-makers to implement new policies.
Did you know?
What Education Do You Need?
Bachelor's Degree in data analytics, computer science, math, or a similar subject. This provides a strong foundation in statistics, programming, and analytics.
Boot camps can be an alternative to earning a degree, or a quick way to upskill. They're shorter than degree programs and teach on-the-job skills.
Certificates validate your skills and focus on specific technologies. Some options are:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Big Data Specialty Certification
CompTIA Data+
Google Data Analyst Certificate
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate
In the U.S., the average salary for a data analyst is 
In Canada, the average salary for a data analyst is You'll Love It If You...
Enjoy using logic and critical thinking skills to solve puzzles and problems.
Fancy creating spreadsheets to organize information and gain insights from data.
Prefer sedentary and independent work using a computer.
Look For Another Career Path If You...
Dislike numeracy-based subjects such as Mathematics.
Favor a physical job over a desk job.
Prefer routine in your job responsibilities and use of technology.
Pick The Future Data Analyst:
Sergio
Very outgoing
Organizes March Madness for his friends
Haley
Math tutor
Enjoys coding with JavaScript
Jackson
Likes sudoku
Prefers hiking and outdoor activities
Quiz
Who is more likely to become a Data Analyst?
Sergio enjoys statistics but likes to be around people. And while Jackson is good at puzzles, they prefer to be outside. Haley enjoys math and programming, and could easily learn the skills needed to be a data analyst!
Take Action
Are you ready to start a career as a Data Analyst?
This Byte has been authored by
Marilyn Day
Instructional Designer
MA