How to Become a Data Analyst with no Experience

Introduction

Do you find yourself highly analytical, having strong mathematical skills, and curious? A career as a data analyst might be a perfect professional route for you. 

Data analysts are the problem-solvers. Armed with an organized toolbox of statistical, analytical, and programming skills, these information-oriented professionals collect and analyze huge data to identify trends that indicate problems or opportunities

There is a reason behind the increasing numbers of aspirants in data analysis. According to statistics published by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the employment of data analysts is on track to grow 26 Percent  between 2018 and 2028.

There are many routes, you can follow to become a data analyst, but all require mastering certain skills and knowledge. Below you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the Data Analyst Career path—including the history of data analysis, skills, job roles, market demand, step-wide process, how to become a data analyst with no experience, salary, and more.

These are questions mainly we will be answering in this blog:

• What is the history of data analysis- when does it all get started? 
• Is data analyst a good career? A Brief Overview on how 
• Is it possible to become a data analyst with no previous experience?
• What is the prerequisite to make a career in data analytics?
• What steps do you need to take to become a data analyst?
• What is the salary of a data analyst?
• What is the future of Data Analyst Career?

Are you ready? Let’s go.

A History and Timeline of Data Analysis

If you look at the history of Data Analysis, it is very old! People have been utilizing data to measure performance and make strategic decisions for ancient times—often innovating when data sets increase and become tougher to manage.

• The first recorded statistical data analysis examination came in the 1660s when John gathered mortality data to understand how the bubonic plague spread and to create a warning system.
• In 1881, Herman Hollerith invented the tabulating machine based on punch cards to organize and analyze information.
• In 1965, the US developed the first national data center, designed to manage government records from one central location. 
• In 1970, the modern data analytics market entered, big data grew out of existing DMS and serves as the base of the present powerful analyticssolutions.
• In the early 2000s, the expansion of web traffic and clicks introduced a massive influx of data. 

In 2019, the global data analytics industry was valued at $49 billion USD, which is more than double what it was worth in 2015. And, from 2020 to 2023, the market is expected to flourish at a rate of 30% each year.

Presently, the data market is growing at a rapid pace, and companies are desperately striving hard to keep up. Data-driven organizations can effectively outperform their competitors, so it makes sense that hiring data experts will be a top priority for business segments.  Around 83% of companies are investing in big data… 

In the next section, we have added some more facts related to the demand in Data Analyst and the current marekt scenario. 

Learn the basics of Data Science, checkout this Data Science Tutorial.

Is Data Analyst a Good Career? Demand & Market Scenario

Yes, data analytics is an excellent career option. And, there has by no means been a better time to be a data professional. About 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily —and this pace is rapidly going high. 

There are many other reasons to pursue career in data analytics, but perhaps one of the most compelling is the incredible job growth that is currently happening in the industry. Here are some data showing how is data analyst a good career?

• There is 650% job growth in the data analysis industry since 2012 as per LinkedIn
• The industry will produce around 11.5 million new jobs by 2026 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• The annual average salary of a data analyst is around $69,517as per the data from Glassdoor 

By 2030, it’s predicted that there will be a shortage of approx 85 million professionals in the tech industry globally (Data science and analytics was identified as the second most after cybersecurity. 

Apart from the increasing demand and commensurate salary, Data Analysts get great opportunities to reach the managerial positions. Many professionals growing on data analytics career path further enjoy the capability to travel and work remotely. The nature of work and career in data analytics itself is a great fit, however, the salary, perks, and job security relies absolutely on the individual.

Data Analyst Career Path - Job Trends & Future Scope

The evolution of data analytics has come a long way,  and it is now continuing to expand at a rapid pace. 

There are currently more than 86,000 jobs openings globally that are seeking data analytics skills, coupled with a massive shortage of data talent.

Data analytics is driving today’s digital economy, which is booming in a new way—due, in part, to big data. Presently, data is a force in nearly every segment. So what are the top industries hiring data analysts right now?

As per their current job openings across a range of job boards these are the top industries hiring data analysts:

• Finance 
• Healthcare 
• Entertainment

Here are some of the big names which have got data analytics future scope and are hiring for data analyst positions: 

• Google
• Axis Bank
• Micro-soft
• Kotak
• Cartesian Consulting
• Tumblr
• ICICI Bank
• Accenture 
• Amazon 
• MachinePulse
• Bank of America
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Snapdeal
• Flipkart 

Data analysts are in great demand, putting newcomers in a great position. The opportunities are there; as long as you can demonstrate the right skills and qualifications, there’s nothing to stop you from getting a foot in the do. 

Skills, Prerequisite You Need to have to Become a Successful Data Analyst

Now we know, why you should make a career in data analytics data, the history of data analysis, and the future scope in data analysis speaking, you might be wondering: What are the major skills required to be a successful data analyst? What experience do I need?

As discussed above, a career in data analytics will see you bridging the gap between data and business strategy. Data analysts work with numbers and tend to bring some business acumen to the table. In formal education, data analysts study different subjects, including:

• Maths and / or statistics
• Finance and / or economics
• Computer science
• Information management

Well, even if you do not have a degree in any of these subjects, you can still go for the data analyst career.  There are many other fields you can prepare for a career in analytics, including marketing, IT, and customer service, etc.

Skills are the crux of what it really takes to become a data analyst. Here are some of the key hard and soft skills that employers are looking for when hiring data analysts. 

Data Analyst Hard Skills

• Microsoft Excel
• Programming and querying languages including SQL, Oracle, and Python
• Data mining, analyzing, and interpreting 
• Working with large, complex datasets
• Data profiling and requirement gathering processes and principles
• Data visualization

Data Analyst Soft Skills

• Communication.
• Problem-solving
• Research
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork

The Salary Range in Data Analytics

• The average base salary for a data analyst in the US is $69,517 in December 2021 According to Glassdoo[1].   
• The average annual salary of median level data analytic is $86,200 as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports [2].
• The human resources consulting company, Robert Half lists a midpoint salary for a data analyst at $106,500.

These are the average data on Data Analyst salaries. The exact salary can vary depending on your seniority, location, the company you are working in, and other factors.

How to Become a Data Analyst with no Experience: Step-by-Step Guide

So you want to make a career in data analytics, but there’s one thing bothering you. You are a fresher or you’ve been working in a different field.

Now, as you think of a big career change, you’re wondering: how to become a data analyst with no experience? Is it really possiblee?  

Well yes, it’s entirely possible—and you will be able to access data analytics career opportunities. Here, we’ll take you through the step-wise process to  get your career change underway:

Step 1: Join Accredited Data Analytics Training & Learn Fundamentals

You don’t need a full-blown degree to begin in data analytics career path, but you must have a structured approach to learning the required skills. The most effective way to do so is through a Data Analytics Course. 

Some key factors you should check when choosing a training course are

• A hands-on curriculum 
• Some form of guidance 
• A certificate of completion
• Support in job preparation and career advice

Get an edge over your peers with the right certification course. By enrolling in the below certification course, you can gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this growing field.

• Data Analytics Graduate Certificate
• Data Analytics Basics for Everyone

Step 2: Build Your Portfolio

The second step on how to become a data analyst with no experience, to build and polish your data analytics portfolio!

Since, data analytics is a hands-on field, and hirer want to see you have previously worked on real projects. In case, you don’t have any real-world experience, here are some ideas you can follow to showcase your knowledge and experince in your data portfolio: 

• Take a data analyst career course with real projects in the curriculum
• Work on passion projects

Step 3: Polish Your Existing Skills

As you focus on learning new skills, it is possible that you soon start losing your grip on previous skillset under your belt.

If you’re brand new to data analyst careers, it become even more important to draw parallels between your previous experience and your new career. Invest time identifying your hard and soft skills, and consider to transferre them to data analytics.

 Maybe you’re a marketer and are already familiar with some basic analytics tools.  This unrelated knowledge will help you to gain excellence in data analysis. Here, the trick is to recognize your existing skill/experince/knowledge and utilize them in this data analytics career path. 

Step 4: Apply for an Internship or Entry-level Job

After completing your course, skill enhancement, and gaining some experience working with real-time data, it is a perfect time to polish your resume and begin exploring data analytics career opportunities. 

Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs you don’t feel fully confident about for the required criteria. Your skill set, portfolio, and enthusiasm can increase the chance of your hiring. 

 If you are still in college and looking for ways how to become a data analyst with no experience, you can ask your university’s career services office if they provide internship opportunities. With an internship, you will have real-world experience for your resume and will be able to effectively apply what you’re learning in the role. 

That’s it on How to Become a Data Analyst with no Experience! At this stage, you have already taken your initial steps, let’s check the best entry-level career options available in Data Analysis that can you take without any previous experience. 

5 Best Entry Level Data Analyst Jobs

At present, various companies are hiring professionals for data analyst jobs across the globe. Below are the top 5 entry-level data analyst jobs worth knowing about when looking for how to become a data analyst with no experience: 

1. Quality Assurance Analyst

Average salary: $64,830 annually 

Quality assurance analyst is probably the most preferred choice among aspirants looking for data analytics careers. As a quality assurance analyst, you need to collect data to determine whether a product or service meets the quality standards. Generally, to begin as a quality assurance analyst,  a bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field is required. Later, you can work on developing the necessary skills and knowledge through on-the-job training.

2. Data Entry Clerk

Average salary: $32,419 annually 

Wondering how to become a data analyst with no experience or knowledge? A data entry clerk can get your journey started. Typically, the minimum education requirement for data entry clerks is a high school diploma, and they usually complete on-the-job training. Data entry clerks collect data and enter data into databases. They are also responsible to maintain databases up-to-date and organized. 

3. Entry-level Data analyst

National average salary: $69,517 per year

When you are just starting out as a data analyst career, you will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of data for their organizations. For entry-level data analysis, computer models are used to gather data, so you need to have some strong technical skills. In terms of qualification, you should have at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, finance, computer science, or another related field. And this is how to become a data analyst with no experience! 

Related: Top 30 Data Analyst Interview Questions And Answer

4. Data Quality Analyst

Average salary: $65,031 annually 

As the title suggests, data quality analysts analyze data to check its quality and accuracy. They often work to develop and improve the existing database designs and communicate with different teams to improve systems. To make career in data analytics also requires a bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics, finance, or a related field.

5. Business Analyst Consultant

Average Salary: $89,615 annually

A business analyst consultant works like a business professional. He works to analyze business data and provides suggestions to clients. Because they work as consultants, they meet with clients to help them develop plans. Typically, to go for a career in data analytics as a business analyst consultant, you should have a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field.

Conclusion

In this technologically-advanced industry, a data analyst career is a very promising option. The role of a Data Analyst is indispensable to an organization, and the data analytics career path has become an emerging career option. Data Analysts can have excellent earnings, even at the beginning phase. 

However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to forging your data analytics career path. You can specialize and continue adding more specialized skills to your repertoire! After getting clear on the fundamentals, you can design a career that matches your interests as well as your talents. 

For basic, every data analyst career path begins in the same flow: knowing the key tools, enhancing skills, building a portfolio, and going for professional training. Hopefully, this guide helped you on how to become a data analyst with no experience, market demand, future scope, and a lot more. 

FAQs on Data Analysis Career Path

Q1. Is data analysis a good career?

Ans:- Yes, of course! At present, data Analysis is among the most high-in-demand jobs globally. There is a lot of scope for salary growth and data analyst career progression. In addition, you learn something new every day. Overall, a data analyst career is one of the best options to choose today. 

Q2. How long does it take to become a data analyst?

Ans:-With the right education and some training, you can initiate your career in data analytics right out of college. In case, you didn’t major in a related field, you can learn SQL, Microsoft Excel, and other languages by enrolling in training courses. 

Q3. What do I need to study to begin a data analyst career?

Ans:-Get your bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, statistical analysis, or mathematics. Some of the major subjects  that you need to study include linear algebra, statistics, probability, information management, business information systems, finance, or economics.

Q4. How to become a data analyst with no experience? 

Ans:-Here is a quick guide on starting a career in data analytics without any experience:

• First, go for a certification course
• Build your portfolio 
• Work on the new and existing skills 
• Apply for an internship or entry-level data analyst job. 

Q5.  Business analyst vs Data analyst: What is the Difference? 

Ans:-Data analysts and business analysts both are responsible to support businesses to make  data-driven decisions in their organizations. Data analysts work with the focus on data, business analysts are more into addressing business needs and coming up with solutions.

Want to know more? Check this comprehensive post on What is the Difference Between Business Analyst and Data Analyst?

Q6. Do data analysts code?

Ans:-Coding is not a mandatory skill for a data analyst. But having some basic level understanding is very helpful in processing the programming languages.

While this blog has focused mainly on the data analytics career path, there is much more to learn about the field of data analytics in general. To get started, check out the best Data Analytics Course and Training. 

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