Are you an aspiring data analyst who wants to break into the role with, at best, limited experience? Maybe you are a business professional who is working in a different field and want to enter into the field of data. Or maybe you’re post-college and want to make a quick career change into the exciting field of data. For each of these scenarios, this article is a helpful guide on how to become a data analyst with no work experience.
When you’re looking for how to become a data analyst with no experience, the first step is to understand what exactly a data analyst does. A quick search of job descriptions will show that the responsibilities of a data analyst include:
Data analysts are responsible for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data. They use their skills to find trends in data, make predictions based on trends, and communicate those findings to others. Data analysts are found in nearly every field of work: business, government, non-profits—you name it!
In order to become a data analyst with no experience, you need to know how to collect and organize data. You must also be able to analyze and interpret your findings in a way that makes sense to others. Finally, you need to be able to communicate your findings clearly and effectively so that everyone understands what’s going on with your project/company/etcetera.
So let’s walk through each step! This article also discusses entry level data analyst salary, how long does it take to become a data analyst.
How to become a data analyst with no experience
Try out a data-oriented bootcamp.
If you’re still not sure if a data analyst career is for you, try out a data-oriented bootcamp. Data analyst bootcamps will teach you how to work with big data, but they won’t cost as much as traditional colleges and universities.
One example of a good data analyst bootcamp is Metis’s [Data Analytics Career Track](https://www.metisbootcamp.com/careers/data-analytics/). This program costs $15000 and lasts around 12 weeks, after which you’ll be ready to find an entry level position in the field of your choice.
You can also try out free trial or demo classes at places like General Assembly or Galvanize before deciding whether to enroll in one of these programs full time–this way you’ll have more information about what exactly it entails before making any commitments!
Go to the library and check out books on statistics and data analysis, machine learning, etc.
Now that you have a better understanding of what a data analyst does, it’s time to start learning the skills required.
One of the best ways is to immerse yourself in the world of data analytics by reading books on statistics and data analysis, machine learning, etc. The library is an excellent place for this because it will allow you to check out relevant books for free! Here are some instructions on how to check out and renew library books:
- Go to [your local library] website and type “book” in the search bar. You should see something like this:
- Click “Find Items” (the blue button). Search Results will appear below with various options; click “Check Out Now.”
- From there, choose your preferred format (hardback or paperback) then enter your library card number under “Card Number/PIN.” Finally select which branch(es) where you would like this book sent – usually just one branch is fine.* If no branches appear here just click on “Choose Branch” at top right corner.* Then click “Check Out Now!”
If you’re a student, look for work study positions or internships.
- Look for work study positions or internships. If you are a student, and looking to get started in data analytics, one of the best ways to gain valuable experience is by working with an organization that deals with data. You will be able to learn from mentors and other students on campus.
- Internships are often paid and can lead to full-time employment after graduation. You should apply for internships that are relevant to your career goals because they will help you build connections within the industry and give you an edge when it comes time for job hunting!
Look for open source projects that need help with data.
As a beginner, you can find open source projects that need help with data. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and build your portfolio, while also networking with other data professionals.
And if you already have experience in open source technologies like Git and GitHub, then this can be one of the easiest ways to start making connections in the industry!
Volunteer on data-related tasks in your current job.
Volunteering to work on data-related tasks can help you learn how to use the data, and get familiar with how it’s collected and analyzed.
With more experience in this area, you’ll be able to think of creative ways to use the data, think about how your company can improve its data-based operations, and even help with data collection.
Take online courses (free or paid).
In order to become a data analyst, you’ll need to learn the basics of how data science works. There are a lot of free resources available online for this purpose.
You can take courses from top universities like Harvard and Stanford to learn the basics of computer science or machine learning, which is one of the most important skills for a data analyst. You should also make sure that you have some coding experience before enrolling in these courses to maximize your chances at success.
There are also paid courses that will give you more specialized training in areas like exploratory analysis or R programming (the language used by most data scientists). These courses tend to cost anywhere between $500-1,000 per month depending on their length and complexity; however, they can be incredibly helpful if they offer specific information related to what kind of job you want after graduation – especially if it involves analyzing big datasets!
Start your new career early, even if it doesn’t seem like hard work will pay off.
- Start your new career early, even if it doesn’t seem like hard work will pay off.
- Get experience. Take courses and read books on how to be a data analyst so that you can learn the basics of statistics and data analysis quickly and efficiently.
- Be realistic in your goals—don’t expect to be earning six figures right away; this is a skill that takes time to develop, but with patience and perseverance, anyone can do it!
- Find an open-source project where you can use real-world datasets for analysis practice (e.g., Kaggle). You’ll have some limitations because these datasets are often noisy or limited in scope compared to those available from commercial companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS), but they’re still valuable resources nonetheless: learning how one dataset behaves may help predict how another might behave under similar conditions when used by different models trained on different kinds of data sets.”
how long does it take to become a data analyst
Today, big data is big news for data analysts. “Big data” describes the massive amounts of data that businesses deal with on a daily basis, and data analysts are people who sort through that information to find key insights to help drive smart business decisions. Data analysts use a mix of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, math, and software systems to help companies find new opportunities and inform business goals and strategies.
If that appeals to you, you may wish to explore a career as a data analyst. Here are three steps to help you get started:
- Know the role
- Get educated
- Start your career
1. Understand the role of a data analyst
Data analysts gather, organize, and interpret data – such as sales figures, inventories, internet logs, and operating costs – and look for patterns or trends. Based on their findings, data analysts then provide suggestions that can be used to guide strategic business planning and decisions.
Data analyst duties often fall into three key areas:
- Data mining: Gathering necessary information for initial review.
- Data cleaning: Removing errors or discrepancies before looking for trends, patterns, and relationships.
- Data visualization: Organizing the data in a way that is easily viewed and understood in order to help develop business goals and strategies.
There are four types of data analysis: descriptive (looks at the past), diagnostic (looks at the “why”), predictive (looks to the future), and prescriptive (looks to the best course of action). Data analysts may focus on one or all of these.
Some of the requirements needed to become a data analyst are: analytical, critical thinking, and basic math and communication skills. In addition, having experience in computer applications like spreadsheets, databases, data management programs or visualization software are important.
While it is possible to get a data analyst job without a degree, a bachelor’s degree can really help you qualify for entry-level jobs. Not only does an undergraduate degree in data analysis provide a strong foundation in data management and database applications, it can help prepare you for additional networking certifications. This can help expand your job opportunities as well as your earning potential.
1. Understand the role of a data analyst
Data analysts gather, organize, and interpret data – such as sales figures, inventories, internet logs, and operating costs – and look for patterns or trends. Based on their findings, data analysts then provide suggestions that can be used to guide strategic business planning and decisions.
Data analyst duties often fall into three key areas:
- Data mining: Gathering necessary information for initial review.
- Data cleaning: Removing errors or discrepancies before looking for trends, patterns, and relationships.
- Data visualization: Organizing the data in a way that is easily viewed and understood in order to help develop business goals and strategies.
There are four types of data analysis: descriptive (looks at the past), diagnostic (looks at the “why”), predictive (looks to the future), and prescriptive (looks to the best course of action). Data analysts may focus on one or all of these.
Some of the requirements needed to become a data analyst are: analytical, critical thinking, and basic math and communication skills. In addition, having experience in computer applications like spreadsheets, databases, data management programs or visualization software are important.
While it is possible to get a data analyst job without a degree, a bachelor’s degree can really help you qualify for entry-level jobs. Not only does an undergraduate degree in data analysis provide a strong foundation in data management and database applications, it can help prepare you for additional networking certifications. This can help expand your job opportunities as well as your earning potential.
3. Start your career as a data analyst
If you have a mind for collecting, sorting, and analyzing data, a degree in data analytics may be a great fit.
Whether you are starting your first degree or are an experienced professional seeking to change careers, there are educational options to help prepare you for a job as a data or business analyst.
It’s never too late to start!
