How to Become a Data Analyst: A data analyst is a person whose responsibility is to collect, process, and perform statistical analyses on large datasets. Simply put, a data analyst gathers and translates numbers into statistical information to help organizations gain insight into how to track business. Their job role typically deals with gathering, processing, transforming, modeling, reporting and problem-solving so that they can support in decision-making. Those who are highly analytical, with strong mathematical skills, and inquisitive can choose data analysis as their career. Such professionals produce accessible graphs, tables, charts and reports with the help of data analysis. 

From number-crunching skills to a multidisciplinary role, a data analyst is highly in demand across various industries like, finance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, consulting, education, and government. A data analyst can work across various areas, including data assurance, business intelligence, data quality, finance, marketing, sales, higher education, etc. The average salary of a data analyst is ₹5,39,368 per year. Based on the industry, experience level of a candidate, focus area, specific skills and geographical area, the yearly income may vary. In this article, you will get a comprehensive understanding of the courses to become a data analyst, the skills required, and the jobs and salaries for a data analyst.

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How to Become a Data Analyst - Overview

Before plunging into how to become a data analyst, it is important to know who can become a data analyst. A person who can transform raw data into actionable insights that fuel innovation leading to the success of an industry is eligible to become a data analyst. He/she is required to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as data science, computer science, statistics, information systems, economics, finance, or business information systems. Without a degree, if anyone wants to become a data analyst, they can become with valuable certifications. Some of the key responsibilities are:

• Identifying and accumulating data from various sources like surveys, databases, or any other external sources.
• Ensuring that the raw data are error-free, accurate, and complete.
• Analyzing data sets using statistical methods and tools to identify trends, patterns, and insight and to interpret the data.
• Presenting findings through charts, graphs, and dashboards in a comprehensible format.
• Reporting the recommendations to the employers through presentations or meetings.
• Addressing specific business questions or challenges using data.

The job roles of a data analyst are generally office based and they work for all types of employers.  A data analyst require a high level of attention and concentration on minute details as they will be dealing with complex systems. The working hours of such professionals are usually from 9 am to 5 pm. Since it is a salaried designation, therefore overtime is not generally paid. However, depending on projects or seasoned periods, there can be overtime allowance. They can expect benefits such as a company pension scheme, discretionary bonus, or private medical insurance.

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How to Become a Data Analyst - Courses

For an in-demand career and rapidly changing career scenarios, for an experienced or a fresher candidate, choosing the right course will always help to stay ahead. Here are some of the important courses that can help to empower oneself with the right knowledge:

​​​​​Skills Required to Become a Data Analyst

In order to excel as a data analyst, one must have both hard and soft skills. The hard skills are the technical attributes that are acquired through education, including mathematics, statistics, reporting, computing, spreadsheets, data visualization and so on. Whereas soft skills are acquired through experience that includes communication skills, problem-solving, analytical abilities, organizational abilities, and public speaking. On a generic level, a data analyst must have:

• The knowledge of programming languages (Python, JavaScript, Java, C, SQL)
• Decode insights from complex data
• Excellent communication skills 
• Ability to interpret client requirements 
• Expert in decision-making and problem-solving
• Spearhead of technological advancements
• Predictive modeling and database management skills

Besides these, he/she must hold a bachelor's degree for data analytics jobs. Some of the undergraduate disciplines for data analyst are

• Bachelor in Mathematics
• Bachelor in Economics
• Bachelor of Science in Statistics
• Bachelor in Engineering (Computer Science/IT)
• Bachelor of Computer Applications
• Bachelor in Business information systems

Jobs and Salary for a Data Analyst

There are more than 120, 000 jobs offered in India, with 8, 530 new jobs for data analysis. Data analysis is always a good career option for those who are highly aspiring and want to move up the professional ladder. After the intervention of AI, data analysis is one of the job roles that was and will never be impacted. The work of a Data analyst directly impacts a company's outcome. Data Analyst Jobs after pursuing a course are listed below: 

• Data Research Analyst 
• Data Analyst Supply Chain
• Business Intelligence Analyst 
• Business Data Analyst
• Financial Data Analyst 
• Senior Technology Analyst 
• Data Engineer 
• Senior Consulting Analyst 
• Marketing Data Analyst 

In India, the average salary of a data analyst is INR 6,00,000 per year (for a fresher), with an additional pay of INR 55,000 per annum. The fixed amount that a data analyst can earn ranges from INR 4L to INR 10.0L per annum. The salary for a senior data analyst ranges between INR 9L and INR 20L annually. The table below contains the salary structure of a data analyst in India: 

How to Become a Data Analyst - Without Course

Candidates can become data analysts without courses and certifications. However, they are required to have a minimum academic degree after class 12, like an undergraduate or bachelor's degree, to become a data analyst. Candidates just need to consider the below mentioned points to become a Data Analyst without any course:

• Pursue a bachelorette degree
• Study foundational education
• Learn your technical skills
• Work on as many projects as possible with real data
• Build freelance gigs
• Create a portfolio of all the undergone work highlighting your skills
• Work on presenting your findings
• Get at least an entry-level data analyst job for experience

Data analytics is a math-heavy field that requires mathematical and statistical calculations. Therefore, before choosing data analyst as your profession, make sure you have all the required skills that are mentioned above.