Data Analyst Course: Your First Step to a Successful Career in Data Science

There are currently data scientist job openings on LinkedIn across various businesses, including Apple, Walmart, Citibank, and Condé Nast (the media giant). But how does one become eligible for these positions? Should you pursue a degree of data  analyst course? Do you require courses in online data analytics? Can you work in data analytics if you have already graduated? How will you determine the right path for you? 

Take a deep breath if you’re feeling overpowered by these inquiries. You are not the only one who feels this way. Our career advisors and mentors have great expertise in dealing with these inquiries from hundreds of data analytics aspirants. This blog post will discuss data analytics course Malaysia, including what they ought to include, your options, and how to pick one.

Data Analytics Courses: What They Should Teach You

A data analytics course that provides the following is beneficial: 

• technical expertise 
• Personality traits 
• practical experience 
• a seamless move to a suitable position

Technical Data Analyst Skills 

You will be chosen for interviews based on your technical abilities. You must take care of them first if you want to succeed. 

Let’s start by discussing the technical abilities you require.

#1 Database Manipulation

As a data analyst, you will utilise database languages like SQL to add, remove from, organise, link, or change the databases where the data is stored. To conduct queries and join data points, you must be confident with SQL. You may find a detailed tutorial for learning SQL in the video below.

#2 Statistical Programming

You must use statistics to interpret sizable data sets in order to perform data analysis. You must be proficient in a programming language like Python or R to do this. 

#3 Data Visualisation

The results must be communicated to your listener in a clear, exciting manner, who may be a non-technical colleague or perhaps your client. To accomplish this, you’ll need to understand the basics of visualisation and be at ease with tools and languages like Python, spreadsheets, presentations, etc..

The best data analysts aren’t created just by having these technical talents. You need crucial soft skills for disciplined thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

Skills for Data Analysts: Soft Skills 

#4 Critical Considering 

Your ability to identify solutions and trends entirely rests on the questions you frame for data analysis. Correcting inconsistencies also benefits from sceptically examining data. Critical thinking abilities are essential to performing your work correctly as a data analyst. 

#5 Business Knowledge 

You can ensure you frame better questions for analysis and maintain your findings accurate and relevant by understanding the business’s operations, goals, competitors, operating procedures, customers, and other stakeholders.

#6 Communication Skills

A data analyst is more than just an expert in statistics. In actuality, being skilled with “analytics” is a means to an end. A data analyst must successfully communicate with and influence their audience by streamlining the message, eliminating jargon, and emphasising how the outcomes will specifically impact business.

What options are available for studying data analytics? 

Online and traditional degree programmes are the two main types of data analytics courses you can enrol in to learn the subject. Now let’s examine each of them. 

1. Academic programmes in data analytics 

You will have difficulty finding an undergraduate degree in data analytics if you are looking for one. Although several colleges now offer analytics as a major, this is true for postgraduate programmes. Here are a few things to consider when selecting a data analytics college degree.

In Malaysia, undergraduate programmes last 3–4 years, and master’s programmes last an additional two years. Data analytics is typically only available as an option for BSc or BTech degrees. This might not be exhaustive enough and necessitate taking a different online course. The latest developments in the industry are frequently not reflected in university curricula, and instructors may lack the practical knowledge necessary to prepare you for the workforce. A dream job is not a certainty after a placement. If they do, you might be given opportunities in positions that have nothing to do with data analytics.

2. Online programmes in data analytics 

In Malaysia, a Bachelor’s degree is frequently required for all positions, regardless of specialisation. The ideal option for those interested in data analytics is to seek a degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or computer science while also enrolling in a focused online data analytics course. 

The following are some benefits of taking an online course.

• They last just a brief time, usually 3-6 months, and offer specialised learning experiences. 
• Since they are self-paced, you may take them whenever it’s most convenient for you—evenings and weekends—while still pursuing your college education or a job. Working professionals who want to change careers but cannot afford to quit their employment to attend college will find this the ideal substitute. 
• By industry standards, these courses are current, and frequently, they feature industry experts as mentors or instructors. 
• They provide practical experience working on actual projects, which helps make the transfer to the workforce easier.

Due to the talent shortage and rising demand, employers are starting to accept online courses or certifications as legitimate qualifications. However, not every online course is the same. You must exercise caution when selecting them. Here are some pointers to consider.

What to Consider When Selecting Data Analytics Programs 

To reaffirm what we previously indicated, practical data analytics courses provide: 

• Technical skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Hands-on experience
• Transition to a job

Technical skills

You should gain both theoretical and hands-on experience with all the abilities we just described in a successful data analytics curriculum. For instance, you need to be able to build SQL methods for aggregating functions, extreme value identification, slicing and limiting data, etc., for structured query-based analysis. Selecting a data analytics course involves: 

• Look over the course materials and curriculum to determine how well these subjects are covering. 
• Recognize the relative importance of theory and practice. 
• Ask if you have a dedicated instructor or mentor who will help you through the programme, answer your questions, help you overcome challenges, and keep you informed about current business trends.

Interpersonal skills

You should reconsider your assumption that you can always take a soft skills course outside. While you might improve your communication abilities in general as a result, soft skills for data analytics are distinct. Verify the following in your data analytics course: 

• includes instruction in soft skills for a career in data analytics. 
• provides resources and templates that you can utilise both now and in the future. 
• enables you to practise your communication abilities in a variety of contexts and modes.

Hands-on experience

Data analytics is a useful discipline. If you are familiar with the ideas, you should be able to use them to address problems in the actual world. A portfolio is the only way you can prove that you have practical experience. When researching data analytics programmes: 

• Check to see if the course includes portfolio projects. There should be at least two. 
• Ask if you will receive one-on-one assistance with these initiatives.

Changing to a new job 

Most online courses give students skills, but they are also expecting to pursue employment independently. This is a dangerous idea. Look for a course that can ease your transfer unless you are certain that you can get a job on your own. This is what your course can provide: 

• Job assurances and placements. A program’s confidence in your transformation can be seen by the job guarantee it provides. 
• Coaching for job change, including help with creating a CV, getting ready for interviews, negotiating pay, etc. 
• Mentors who can introduce you to the appropriate individuals and provide insightful guidance.

We believe that the best way to learn data analytics is to finish an undergraduate programme in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or even business administration, and then cap it off with a rigorous online bootcamp in data analytics.

This article is posted on Es Article.