7 answers
Maia
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Is becoming a data analyst worth it?
My major is Data Analytics and I have about one more year before I graduate. I don't love data but I heard this is a good career. It seems every business could use a data analyst.
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7 answers
Shivam Dhar
Lead Security Engineer
13
Answers
McKinney, Texas
Updated
Shivam’s Answer
Hi Maia, I understand that you may not naturally love the data itself—but if you're aiming for a data analyst role, it's important to develop an appreciation for the process of analyzing it. Dive into the mechanics of data analysis (eg. the famous ELT - Extract-Load-Transform framework), and start identifying commonly used patterns—because those patterns will help you tell a compelling story through data. And storytelling through data is an incredibly powerful skill that every company values.
That said, traditional approaches to data analysis may become outdated over time. So, I highly recommend staying up to date by learning new technologies, especially AI-driven tools that are shaping the future of data analysis.
Feel free to reach out with any further questions here or you can connect with me on LinkedIn as well.
Develop an appreciation for the process involved in data analysis
Deep dive into the mechanics such as ELT framework and explore AI-driven tools
Pick up a hobby project to play with any dataset available online and try extracting meaningful points from data analyzed
Use visualization tools to paint a compelling story
Share your hobby project on Medium or as a LinkedIn post
That said, traditional approaches to data analysis may become outdated over time. So, I highly recommend staying up to date by learning new technologies, especially AI-driven tools that are shaping the future of data analysis.
Feel free to reach out with any further questions here or you can connect with me on LinkedIn as well.
Shivam recommends the following next steps:
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi Maia! It’s true that data analytics is a strong and growing field, and almost every business relies on data to make smarter decisions. That said, if you don’t love data now, try to explore what part of it might interest you. Maybe it's finding patterns, telling stories with visuals, or solving real-world problems. The great thing about data analytics is that it’s flexible so you can apply it in sports, healthcare, marketing, or whatever industry excites you. Keep learning and experimenting while you're still in school; sometimes passion grows as your confidence does. Even if you pivot later, the skills you're gaining now will stay valuable wherever you go. Good luck!
Lin Jia
Data Scientist
16
Answers
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Lin’s Answer
Hi Maia,
That's a very important question to be asking, especially as you head into your final year of college. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your career path, even when you’re in a field that everyone says is a "good choice." The good news is that your degree in Data Analytics is incredibly valuable, but perhaps not in the way you currently see it.
Let's break down whether this path is truly "worth it" for you.
First, let's acknowledge why you probably heard this is a good career. On paper, it is. The demand for people with data skills is high across every industry, the salaries are competitive, and there are clear opportunities for growth. Businesses are desperate for people who can help them make sense of the vast amounts of information they collect. From a practical standpoint, you've chosen a solid field.
But this is the real heart of the matter, and it's a crucial point. A career isn’t just about job security; it’s about what you do for eight hours every day. The reality of a data analyst's job isn't always about discovering glamorous, game-changing insights. A significant portion of the work involves the meticulous, and sometimes tedious, process of data cleaning, validation, and debugging. To enjoy this process, you need a deep sense of curiosity—a desire to solve the puzzle. If you don't naturally enjoy the investigative details, this work can quickly become boring and demotivating.
Here is the most important piece of advice: Stop thinking of your Data Analytics degree as a direct and only path to a Data Analyst title. Instead, think of your degree as a powerful and versatile toolkit that you can apply to almost any field you find genuinely interesting. The goal isn't just to be a "Data Analyst." The goal is to become a [Your Passion] Professional who is exceptional with data.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
1. If you are interested in business strategy and have empathy for customers, you can become a fantastic Product Manager. A PM with strong data skills doesn't have to wait for an analyst to provide reports. They can dig into user behavior data themselves, run A/B tests to validate new features, and build data-driven arguments that leadership can't ignore.
2. If you are fascinated by marketing and human psychology, you could become a Marketing Analyst or a Growth Strategist. You would use your data skills to analyze the performance of ad campaigns, segment customers for personalized messaging, and discover the most effective ways to grow a business.
3. If you are passionate about finance and the economy, you could become a Financial Analyst. You would apply your skills to build financial models, analyze market trends, and help companies make smart investment decisions.
You are in the perfect position to explore this. Here is a game plan for your final year:
1. Use your electives to take a class in marketing, finance, psychology, or another field that sparks your interest.
2. For your final capstone or major projects, don't pick a generic topic. Choose a dataset from an industry you want to explore. This makes your project more interesting to you and more impressive to a future employer in that field.
3. Use LinkedIn to find people in these blended roles, such as Product Managers at a tech company or Marketing Analysts at a brand you like. Ask for a 15-minute informational interview to learn about what they do day-to-day.
So, is a data analytics degree worth it? Absolutely. It provides you with one of the most valuable skill sets in the modern economy. But you don't have to follow a traditional path to make it worthwhile. Use your final year to discover which industry truly excites you, and then bring your powerful data toolkit to that field. You will be far more valuable, and much happier, in the long run.
That's a very important question to be asking, especially as you head into your final year of college. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about your career path, even when you’re in a field that everyone says is a "good choice." The good news is that your degree in Data Analytics is incredibly valuable, but perhaps not in the way you currently see it.
Let's break down whether this path is truly "worth it" for you.
First, let's acknowledge why you probably heard this is a good career. On paper, it is. The demand for people with data skills is high across every industry, the salaries are competitive, and there are clear opportunities for growth. Businesses are desperate for people who can help them make sense of the vast amounts of information they collect. From a practical standpoint, you've chosen a solid field.
But this is the real heart of the matter, and it's a crucial point. A career isn’t just about job security; it’s about what you do for eight hours every day. The reality of a data analyst's job isn't always about discovering glamorous, game-changing insights. A significant portion of the work involves the meticulous, and sometimes tedious, process of data cleaning, validation, and debugging. To enjoy this process, you need a deep sense of curiosity—a desire to solve the puzzle. If you don't naturally enjoy the investigative details, this work can quickly become boring and demotivating.
Here is the most important piece of advice: Stop thinking of your Data Analytics degree as a direct and only path to a Data Analyst title. Instead, think of your degree as a powerful and versatile toolkit that you can apply to almost any field you find genuinely interesting. The goal isn't just to be a "Data Analyst." The goal is to become a [Your Passion] Professional who is exceptional with data.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
1. If you are interested in business strategy and have empathy for customers, you can become a fantastic Product Manager. A PM with strong data skills doesn't have to wait for an analyst to provide reports. They can dig into user behavior data themselves, run A/B tests to validate new features, and build data-driven arguments that leadership can't ignore.
2. If you are fascinated by marketing and human psychology, you could become a Marketing Analyst or a Growth Strategist. You would use your data skills to analyze the performance of ad campaigns, segment customers for personalized messaging, and discover the most effective ways to grow a business.
3. If you are passionate about finance and the economy, you could become a Financial Analyst. You would apply your skills to build financial models, analyze market trends, and help companies make smart investment decisions.
You are in the perfect position to explore this. Here is a game plan for your final year:
1. Use your electives to take a class in marketing, finance, psychology, or another field that sparks your interest.
2. For your final capstone or major projects, don't pick a generic topic. Choose a dataset from an industry you want to explore. This makes your project more interesting to you and more impressive to a future employer in that field.
3. Use LinkedIn to find people in these blended roles, such as Product Managers at a tech company or Marketing Analysts at a brand you like. Ask for a 15-minute informational interview to learn about what they do day-to-day.
So, is a data analytics degree worth it? Absolutely. It provides you with one of the most valuable skill sets in the modern economy. But you don't have to follow a traditional path to make it worthwhile. Use your final year to discover which industry truly excites you, and then bring your powerful data toolkit to that field. You will be far more valuable, and much happier, in the long run.
Matt Bierman
Analytics
4
Answers
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hi Maia, I would recommend you think of data analytics as a skill set rather than a career. You can apply your technical capabilities to a variety of industry's and job roles. Use your skillset to stand out amongst other candidates and understand how you can leverage those abilities to take more ownership of projects and assignment.
Find an industry, product, or service you are passionate about and i guarantee you can find a way in using your data analytics capabilities
Find an industry, product, or service you are passionate about and i guarantee you can find a way in using your data analytics capabilities
Mikhail Narbekov
Sales Excellence
2
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Mikhail’s Answer
Hi Maia,
There are three aspects of a good data/business analysis:
1) technical knowledge
2) business understanding
3) communication skills
Someone might argue that 2 and 3 are even more important.
Saying that if you hate data, that would be a bit hard to become data analyst. However, it you are okay to spend some time in data finding insights, you can double-down on the business/communications aspects.
Good luck!
There are three aspects of a good data/business analysis:
1) technical knowledge
2) business understanding
3) communication skills
Someone might argue that 2 and 3 are even more important.
Saying that if you hate data, that would be a bit hard to become data analyst. However, it you are okay to spend some time in data finding insights, you can double-down on the business/communications aspects.
Good luck!
Erica Zack
GPS Consulting
2
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Erica’s Answer
Hi Maia!
Data analytics is a strong and growing field and is important for businesses to make well-informed decisions. Learning new tools, such as AI and data visualization, can help keep you up to date as the field is rapidly changing with new technology. I would recommend trying an internship or job and see what your day-to-day is like, to see how your data analytics knowledge applies in real-world scenarios. If you decide that data analytics is not for you, the skills you have acquired (problem solving, data visualization, communication) are valuable and will help you pivot to a field you may be a better fit in!
Data analytics is a strong and growing field and is important for businesses to make well-informed decisions. Learning new tools, such as AI and data visualization, can help keep you up to date as the field is rapidly changing with new technology. I would recommend trying an internship or job and see what your day-to-day is like, to see how your data analytics knowledge applies in real-world scenarios. If you decide that data analytics is not for you, the skills you have acquired (problem solving, data visualization, communication) are valuable and will help you pivot to a field you may be a better fit in!
Nikhil Gavini
Aerospace Systems Engineer
12
Answers
Norfolk, Virginia
Updated
Nikhil’s Answer
Hi Maia,
I think it is worth it to become a data analyst! Having the skills to interpret and work with data allow you to make very informed decisions on some big projects depending on where you work. In a world where technology and big data are increasing important, being able to leverage data to support your claims and ideas will put you on a level playing field with the most advanced people in the industry!
I think it is worth it to become a data analyst! Having the skills to interpret and work with data allow you to make very informed decisions on some big projects depending on where you work. In a world where technology and big data are increasing important, being able to leverage data to support your claims and ideas will put you on a level playing field with the most advanced people in the industry!