6 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Data Analytics

 

Big data is the future of business. Companies have been transitioning to a heavier reliance on data analytics to leverage big data and optimize their operations overall. The need for data professionals with the proper knowledge and skill set to analyze large volumes of complex data will only continue to rise. Today, Data Analysts are in high demand.

 

Exploring Data Analytics Today

Data analytics is the new “It Girl” of the workplace.

Data Analysts draw on big data and machine learning technologies to uncover patterns in large volumes of data. They serve a critical role in helping businesses make critical decisions and optimize processes that, ultimately, drive growth. 

McKinsey calls this the era of the data-driven enterprise, and it is fast approaching.

Whether in tech or other industries, it is expected that companies across all sectors will pivot to a data-driven culture by 2025. It will become increasingly important that all employees – from graphic designers to software engineers – know how to use data to optimize nearly every aspect of their work.

 

6 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Data Analytics

Besides its growing ubiquity, data analytics provides an important and foundational introduction to what is possible with data. This disruptive, high-growth field can help you find a career that is not only fulfilling, but can also help you grow. Let’s explore the top 6 reasons why pursuing a career in data analytics is the right move.

1. There is high demand for Data Analysts

In 2021, the big data analytics market had an estimated value of $241 billion. By 2029, however, it is expected to triple in size, reaching heights of over $650 billion. This immense growth will be accompanied by a high demand for trained data analytics professionals.

In 2021 alone, there were over 3 million data analytics job openings looking to be filled. As the data analytics industry takes off, it is safe to expect there to be more and more job openings for data analytics professionals in the future, too. This fast-growing industry shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

2. Data Analysts are paid well

When you finish a data analytics course, like the one offered by ALX Global, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to immediately start working in the industry. Even with an entry-level job, you can expect a very healthy starting salary.

Getting a job in data also gives you skills that will help you level up in your career, which can significantly affect your earning potential over time. 

For example, an entry level position should net you around $65,000/year and, after working in the industry for 2-4 years, you can expect to earn about $100,000/year. Other specializations in data analytics can see salaries of up to $135,000/year, depending on your specialization.

These competitive salaries reflect the importance companies place on having top-performing data analytics professionals conducting their data analysis.

3. Data analytics helps businesses drive better decision-making

Businesses already collect a lot of data from users. With the right tools, the insights from that data can be used to drive smarter decision-making and business practices. 

Evidence-based decision-making helps companies develop their business in smarter ways, create more insightful pricing models, targeted marketing, optimize their sales funnel, and, ultimately, understand consumer behavior patterns in their industry.

Because data analysts can help in so many different areas of a company’s operations, recruiters are always searching for candidates who possess these skills. Data analysts, therefore, are very well-respected within a company.

4. All industries need data analysts

Data is collected in all aspects of a consumer’s life. From healthcare and technology to finance and retail, companies have huge datasets that need to be analyzed. This means that there are opportunities for data analysts to work in a diverse range of fields, depending on your interests.

These days, data analysts are needed to sift through data sets in every industry. By leveraging their knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and other important patterns, they can transform any company in any industry.

5. Data analysts are creative and innovative

The job of a data analyst is similar to putting together a complicated puzzle. When you first start out, the pieces are all mixed up and it’s hard to find connections. Slowly but surely, sifting through all of those pieces, you start to build a detailed picture.

A data analyst’s job is to make discoveries while swimming in this sea of data. These insights are essential in a competitive landscape, especially where the amount of data will always be increasing.

Working as a data analyst, you learn how to find new, creative ways to solve problems and end up coming up with innovative solutions that could change the course of the business you work in. This is a quality that you can take with you to any stage of your career journey, giving you a competitive edge in any job you might have moving forward.

6. Data analysts can’t be replaced

All businesses are pivoting to make more informed and data-driven decisions. With new innovations in technology, companies have been able to increase the sophistication of their data operations and analytics.

In just the last few years, data analytics techniques have been used to improve customer service, increase efficiency, reduce costs, identify patterns and trends, and inform marketing strategies, to name a few. This is likely to expand in the coming years as data grows.

As the tools that data analysts use become more advanced, some skills – like data modeling, relational databases, and basic statistical analytics – are critically important and likely to survive any future shifts in data-related job functions. These are skills even AI can’t replace.

 

How to Start Your Data Analytics Career

Whether you’re well-versed in data or are a beginner to the tech world, it is possible to learn the skills you need to break into the industry. You can even do it from the comfort of your own home.

ALX Global offers future-first tech training courses, helping learners gain the skills necessary to break into these emerging industries. Our Data Analytics course is a 3-month, online course that has no pre-requisite skills required. With just 20 hours per week of coursework, you will leave the course with enough skill to land an entry-level position in a global tech company.

This course will teach you foundational skills in big data, machine learning, data visualization, and deep learning. Many of these fields are in high-demand today, and others are slated to be hot topics for the future.

By signing up for a Data Analytics course with ALX Global, you are preparing your future success. Future-proof your career and become a data analyst today!