The data analyst is one of the most important professional profiles that exist today, especially because of the number of companies that use data as one of their most valuable resources. If you know what Big Data is and you know examples of some companies that are based on data analysis, then you know what we are talking about.
Becoming a data analyst is a good idea, since the job field that exists for this profession does not stop growing. Moreover, by the winds blowing, it seems that the career of data analyst could become one of the most demanded in the short and medium term.
Don’t worry if you don’t quite know where to start, because in this article we’ll explain what a data analyst does, and give you some tips that can help you see which path you should take to a career as a data analyst.
what is a data analyst?
A data analyst is the person in charge of collecting, filtering and interpreting databases to help companies make decisions. In short, the big data analyst, as he/she is also known, is a professional profile that plays an important role in the design of strategies for any company.
It is worth noting that a data analyst can work in virtually any sector, among which are the medical sector, finance, business, and can even participate in the analysis of data and statistics in the medical sector.
“…companies want to take advantage of the millions of data records that live in their systems. According to the Harvard Business Review, 99 percent of companies have invested in data and artificial intelligence initiatives. This, because leaders in different sectors understood that data is a critical point for decision making.”
The data analyst helps a company discover what type of customers it should design its marketing campaigns for, for example.
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Importance of the data analyst
To begin with, we can say that the data analyst occupies a strategic position, as he or she provides valuable information for the growth and development of companies.
These are some of the reasons why a data analyst is so important to improve the performance of companies:
Provides companies with valuable insights about customers, making it easier to make strategic decisions.
Performs predictive analytics to determine the future of the company.
Helps to recognize and solve specific problems thanks to data analysis.
Understands customer behavior patterns and can predict market trends.
These are just some of the benefits that a data analyst can offer a company, the list of reasons why they are one of the most in-demand careers in the market is endless.
what does a data analyst do?
We have already commented superficially what the functions of a data analyst are, however, we will explain in detail how those who are dedicated to this profession do their job. The idea is that you can understand what the day-to-day life of a data analyst is like, and decide if you find it an interesting job.
Collecting and identifying data
Before analyzing and processing data, the first thing a data analyst does is to identify what kind of information may be of interest to the company he/she works for.
He or she must also take care of structuring or sorting the data, make presentations explaining the value of the information found, and send the reports to the appropriate departments.
Identify customer behavior patterns
Data can provide valuable information for a company, and perhaps the most important of these is what it tells us about customers. A data analyst can easily identify what the behavioral pattern of people visiting a website is, for example.
The idea is to have a good idea of what customers do, in order to make decisions that positively impact them.
Don’t worry if it sounds complicated, because if you pursue a career as a data analyst you will learn what it takes to identify customer behavior very easily.
ever wonder where Netflix content recommendations come from? Surely a data analyst was responsible for your enjoyment of the last movie or series you watched.
Identify problems and propose solutions
Another thing a data analyst does for a company is to identify problems that can affect its performance and profitability. If a company has failures in any of its processes, or there are some factors that reduce its effectiveness, for example, the data analyst must recognize the problems and help solve them.
The data analyst must discover relevant information to diagnose the company’s situation, and develop predictive models that allow him to choose the most appropriate solution.
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Profile of a data analyst
You’ve probably marveled or marveled at the high demand for data analysts around the world. And it is possible that the first question that has crossed your mind is: what do I need to be a data analyst?
Here we are going to answer that big question by telling you a little bit about the knowledge and skills that a data analyst must have. These are some of the requirements that most companies set when looking for a data analyst:
Studies in computer science or related careers.
Proficiency in the use of programs to extract data from primary and secondary sources.
Mathematical skills to collect, organize and analyze large databases.
Knowledge of programming languages such as SQL, Oracle and Python.
Knowledge of major data visualization software such as Tableau and Qlik.
The points we have just mentioned are some of the most important aspects when evaluating the profile of a data analyst, but they are not the only ones.
Many companies also value that a data analyst, in addition to covering technical aspects, has skills for teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving, among other things.
why are companies looking for data analysts?
As we explained earlier in this article, most companies are aware of the importance of analyzing the data they store. But the reasons why a company hires a data analyst can be very varied and regularly change depending on the sector to which the company belongs.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why companies are looking to add a data analyst to their payroll.
To reduce the risk of fraud
One of the main reasons why a company hires a data analyst is security. Companies are often exposed to multiple threats, and can sometimes be vulnerable and suffer malicious attacks.
The functions of a data analyst in this regard are to use data to the company’s advantage to prevent fraud and maintain optimal security levels. how do they do this? It may be easier said than done, but a data analyst uses data to create predictive models, detect potential security breaches, and anticipate problems before they happen.
To optimize and customize your services
We had already told you how the job of a data analyst working for companies like Netflix is to analyze user behavior patterns to offer them a more personalized service.
But it’s not just about content platforms, because the advertising you receive through Instagram or the ads you come across while browsing the Internet are probably personalized and tailored to your profile as a user. The functions of a data analyst are to analyze, interpret and provide enough information to create a very accurate buyer persona.
To improve your competitive profile
A company should also take advantage of a data analyst’s knowledge to leverage its business opportunities. That is, you can analyze data on your competitors’ strategies and actions to stay up-to-date and make decisions aimed at meeting market demands.
Similarly, according to Teradata, a person who pursues a career as a data analyst can collect and analyze data to anticipate consumer needs and develop products that have a greater impact.
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what are the job openings for data analysts?
As we mentioned to you in the introduction of the article, those who have done the data analyst career have a very wide job field. Especially because the supply of professionals who are dedicated to data analysis is very low, and the demand from companies looking for a data analyst to include in their payroll is very high.
To give you a clearer idea about the importance of data analysts in today’s world, just check LinkedIn’s emerging jobs report, where you can see that the data scientist or data analyst is within the top positions. Specifically, in Spain it occupies the number 9 position of most demanded emerging jobs, and in Mexico it is number 6.
You should also take into account that since it is a career in which the number of professionals is very low, the salaries offered to a data analyst are usually quite attractive.
how much does a data analyst earn?
In Spain, the salary of a data analyst can vary from 25,000 to 50,000 euros per year. The amount of money a data analyst can earn depends on his or her experience, the skills he or she has, and the type of industry he or she works for.
On the other hand, the salary of a data analyst in countries such as the United States and Germany can be as high as $76,000 per year.
To get a more accurate idea of how much a data analyst might earn, you can consult portals such as Glassdoor, where you will find information on what they pay this type of professional anywhere.
Source: Glassdoor
On the other hand, the salary of a data analyst in Mexico is 20,547 MXN per month, in Colombia it is 2 million Colombian pesos, and in Argentina it is 112 thousand Argentinean pesos.