What Does a Data Analyst Do in 2024?

Data analysts spend hours on end organizing, collecting, and simplifying data for presentation or better understanding. And in today’s data-driven world, data is at the core of almost all industries.

That goes to show you how lucrative being a data analyst is, especially when there’s a vast amount of big data from all sectors. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about data analysts and what they are doing.

What is a Data Analyst?

In simple terms, analysts find meaning in jumbled up or disordered information. Such experts explore data using different patterns and relationships to seek out insightful meaning from those data. But what really counts as data?

Often, data is represented in numerical form, also known as quantitative data. However, there are other forms of data, such as images, sounds, and words, which can be interpreted and grouped. An analyst’s main task is to analyze raw data.

What’s more, an expert data analyst employs different techniques to process, analyze, and represent these forms of raw data in a form that’s easy to digest. Such techniques include visualization, programming, and statistics.

That’s where a statistician can be easily confused for a data analyst. In truth, a statistician can play the role of a data analyst, but after training, to better understand the job description. Speaking of which, it’s time to learn more about the job description of a data analyst.

Data Analyst Job Description

The basic and most important role of a data analyst is to turn meaningless data into insightful information that can be used to make wiser data-driven decisions. Data analysts solve specific problems or use the data to answer questions that will dictate the future of their individual companies.

Data Analyst Roles

As you’ve already figured by now, data analysts play an important function in most companies across different industries. More importantly, the analyst’s role goes far beyond boosting the specific company’s bottom lines.

Analysts are in charge of overseeing the entire process of collecting and storing data. In short, here’s a rundown of what data analysts do on a daily:

• Create and implement data collection systems and databases
• Work with the company to understand and identify essential KPIs and get a better understanding of the business needs
• Collect data from primary and secondary sources
• Clean and filter the collected data
• Interpret and identify trend patterns in big data set
• Present and properly visualize findings to the company and stakeholder
• Create customized reports
• Maintain or develop dashboards for proper visualization
• Develop and maintain reports and documentation of data models, infrastructure, and measures

Data Analyst Key Skills

Data analysts benefit from developing key skills in their industry that help them land the job. These skills include:

Machine Learning

Often, companies use highly technical machines to handle specific tasks. As such, these companies require their analysts to possess some form of knowledge in machine learning and artificial intelligence. That should help these experts better understand how the machine works and, if possible, improve its efficiency.

Data Visualization

After a rigorous analysis and compiling huge chunks of data, analysts are expected to share their findings with stakeholders and the rest of the company members. That said, creating an easy-to-understand visual is essential. Such experts use visual representations such as charts and graphs to showcase their findings to their colleagues.

Statistical Programming languages

Another crucial skill that every successful data analyst should have is a deep understanding and grasp of statistical programming languages. That should help them better prepare to use different tools within the company. These programming languages include R, Python, Java, MATLAB, and Scala.

Critical Thinking

Almost every day, data analysts are presented with challenges outside their realm of experience, which normally requires them to think fast. Knowing what to do when data collected is presented to you and how to best process it requires critical thinking skills.

Problem-Solving

Data analysts typically encounter technical issues while trying to complete their tasks. As such, it’s important to have effective problem-solving skills to come up with solutions and complete your tasks on time to present your findings to the stakeholders.

Find Out How to Become a Data Analyst in 2024

Becoming a data analyst requires at least some foundational education. In most cases, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, or any other related field will help you start your career as a data analyst.

Another alternative is to start by checking for professional certificate programs or self-study courses.The next step is to build up and sharpen your technical skills and develop a portfolio of your work.

Once that’s done, you can now start applying for entry-level jobs. Of course, this journey will not happen overnight. It takes a lot of patience and dedication to even land your first job, let alone build a portfolio showcasing your best work. But at the end of the day, it will all pay off. So start today and work your way up.

As you move up in your career as a data analyst, it’s essential to consider how you can advance your career. An excellent way to advance your career is to enroll for a Master’s degree that’s relevant in this field.

For instance, you can enroll for the Master in Big Data & Business Analytics offered by EAE Business School Madrid. This course will set you up for success in your field as a data analyst. In fact, it’s recommended if you want to get a raise in your current salary. But that’s not all!

Through this course, you will get a better understanding of business intelligence, big data interpretation, and visualization. Above all, you get to hone your skills and improve your efficiency.

Final Thoughts on the Data Analyst Job

As you can see, becoming a data analyst is a lucrative career path. However, it’s important to understand that being an analyst doesn’t happen overnight. That’s because aside from the educational background, there are various key skills that you should perfect to turn into a successful professional.

More importantly, you have to continue learning; whenever possible, it’s important to take a Master’s degree. With a Master’s degree, you can easily elevate your career and become an authority in your field.