

Luckily, there is an abundance of great free resources online to help you get started, as well as structured data analytics classes for those looking for a deeper understanding of the tool. Over the years, the tool has remained a mainstay for businesses in every industry, so learning it is a must. If you are working at a lean company or startup, the first version of your database may even be in Excel.

While a programming language like R or Python is better suited to handle a large data set, advanced Excel methods like writing Macros and using VBA lookups are still widely used for smaller lifts and lighter, quick analytics. When you think of Excel, the first thing that comes to mind is likely a spreadsheet, but there’s a lot more analysis power under the hood of this tool. While even non-techies can benefit from learning this tool, if you’re looking to work with Big Data, learning SQL is the first step. Each month, thousands of job postings requiring SQL skills are posted, and the median salary for someone with advanced SQL skills sits well over $75,000. The language is often thought of as the “graduated” version of Excel it is able to handle large datasets that Excel simply can’t.Īlmost every organization needs someone who knows SQL-whether to manage and store data, relate multiple databases (like the ones Amazon uses to recommend products you may be interested in,) or build or change those database structures altogether. SQL, or Structured Query Language, is the ubiquitous industry-standard database language and is possibly the most important skill for data analysts to know. Here’s a closer look at the top seven must-have skills data analysts need to stay competitive in the job market.ĭownload Our Free Guide to Breaking Into AnalyticsĪ guide to what you need to know, from the industry’s most popular positions to today’s sought-after data skills.Įssential Skills for Data Analysts 1. Some of these top skills for data analysts include: Scanning job postings for data-driven positions is a great starting point, but many analyst roles are highly nuanced, making it difficult to discern which skills are the most necessary to invest in.Īt Northeastern, our analytics master’s programs have been designed to provide students with the specialized combination of skills they need to not only thrive in their work but to land a top position in the field of data analytics.

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If you’re just starting your research and are wondering how to make the transition to a career in data analytics, you’re not alone. executives say they will prefer job candidates with data skills by 2021, and the demand for analysts will only grow as we continue to digitize our physical world. Research shows that nearly 70 percent of U.S. The majority of companies today realize the value of a data-driven business strategy and are in need of talented individuals to provide insight into the constant stream of collected information.
