7 answers
Ladna
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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As a Data Analyst What's something that really made you realize what job you want to do?
I am a student wondering what it takes to become a Data analyst
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7 answers
Suzi Mendes de Oliveira
Customer Success Management
2
Answers
São Paulo, Brazil
Updated
Suzi’s Answer
Hi, Ladna! How are you? i hope fine.
In my opinion, being a data analyst usually brings several personal and professional satisfactions — and many of them go beyond salary.
Solving real problems - There is enormous intellectual pleasure in "fitting the pieces of the puzzle together."
Transforming chaos into clarity - Many people see numbers and information in isolation.
You see stories, trends, causes, and effects.
Unlike many jobs, the analyst's work influences real decisions: Costs, changes, improvements, adjustments, etc...
Constant growth - For those who like to learn, it is highly satisfying — it never gets monotonous.
Teaching insights and seeing people using the data you analyzed gives you a purpose/direction.
Seeing your work take shape in dashboards and insights.
Valued profession, with high demands and good opportunities.
I think that by following this path, you will have personal satisfaction, as you gain independence and autonomy.
In my opinion, being a data analyst usually brings several personal and professional satisfactions — and many of them go beyond salary.
Solving real problems - There is enormous intellectual pleasure in "fitting the pieces of the puzzle together."
Transforming chaos into clarity - Many people see numbers and information in isolation.
You see stories, trends, causes, and effects.
Unlike many jobs, the analyst's work influences real decisions: Costs, changes, improvements, adjustments, etc...
Constant growth - For those who like to learn, it is highly satisfying — it never gets monotonous.
Teaching insights and seeing people using the data you analyzed gives you a purpose/direction.
Seeing your work take shape in dashboards and insights.
Valued profession, with high demands and good opportunities.
I think that by following this path, you will have personal satisfaction, as you gain independence and autonomy.
Maria Restrepo
Data Governance, Data Management, Data Strategy, BI
1
Answer
Bogotá, Colombia
Updated
Maria’s Answer
Hi Ladna,
In my personal experience, life took me to the data world, and it has been the best journey ever. I think that if you really grasp what analyzing data means you will love this career, the only thing you need is to be passionate about it, the hard skills are things that you can learn, but if you don't enjoy having a lot of data and trying to create a story with it, it won't be as exciting.
Working with data is amazing because despite that you are a technical person with a lot of technical knowledge, you also would develop soft skills that would help you to communicate all the data that you see, to people that doesn't understand it the same way.
The most enjoyable part of this is when your work helped the company to make better decisions and so on, to be better.
Technically speaking, you just need to enjoy working with tons and tons of data and identifying patterns or outliers. Read about statistics, SQL, programming languages, visualization and storytelling
In my personal experience, life took me to the data world, and it has been the best journey ever. I think that if you really grasp what analyzing data means you will love this career, the only thing you need is to be passionate about it, the hard skills are things that you can learn, but if you don't enjoy having a lot of data and trying to create a story with it, it won't be as exciting.
Working with data is amazing because despite that you are a technical person with a lot of technical knowledge, you also would develop soft skills that would help you to communicate all the data that you see, to people that doesn't understand it the same way.
The most enjoyable part of this is when your work helped the company to make better decisions and so on, to be better.
Technically speaking, you just need to enjoy working with tons and tons of data and identifying patterns or outliers. Read about statistics, SQL, programming languages, visualization and storytelling
Bryan Morales
Business Analyst
5
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Becoming a successful data analyst requires a persistent, self-starting mindset and a genuine passion for solving complex puzzles through data manipulation. It is vital to develop proficiency in core technical tools—specifically programming languages like SQL or Python, advanced Excel, and Business Intelligence platforms—while maintaining a commitment to daily learning to keep pace with evolving technologies. By combining these hard skills with the ability to find creative workarounds and a comfort with deep, focused work, you can transform raw information into valuable insights that drive strategic decision-making.
Sindhura Mullamuri
BI
14
Answers
Foster City, California
Updated
Sindhura’s Answer
I figured out I love turning raw data into insights that help people make decisions. It's not just about numbers or dashboards—it's about solving real business problems.
If you're a student thinking about becoming a Data Analyst, start by practicing SQL, Excel, and a visualization tool like Power BI or Tableau. Try building small projects that answer real questions. This hands-on experience can help you see if the role truly excites you.
If you're a student thinking about becoming a Data Analyst, start by practicing SQL, Excel, and a visualization tool like Power BI or Tableau. Try building small projects that answer real questions. This hands-on experience can help you see if the role truly excites you.
Dhaneshwar Lall
Learning Analytics and Evaluation
2
Answers
Newark, Delaware
Updated
Dhaneshwar’s Answer
I came to my current job through a variety of past experiences. These cemented my core values that I wanted to work on how to improve how people learn and tying it together with using data. With a variety of data sources I felt drawn to putting together those with my background in adult learning.
I frequently work on teams of brilliant colleagues and we all have our expertise so I think for me it was how I fit in with these. An ability to weave data storytelling while keeping the learners at the forefront of the solution allows me to add value in sometimes novel ways. This is amplified given my background ranging from designing training, empirical methods, employee surveys, etc.
Note: I did have a solid background in math and statistics but even so I have to constantly upskill myself to keep up with changing technology, work demands, as well as a deep desire to learn.
What are your interests? Map then with a job you want.
What are your skills/expertise? Compare to the skills listed in a job you want.
I frequently work on teams of brilliant colleagues and we all have our expertise so I think for me it was how I fit in with these. An ability to weave data storytelling while keeping the learners at the forefront of the solution allows me to add value in sometimes novel ways. This is amplified given my background ranging from designing training, empirical methods, employee surveys, etc.
Note: I did have a solid background in math and statistics but even so I have to constantly upskill myself to keep up with changing technology, work demands, as well as a deep desire to learn.
Dhaneshwar recommends the following next steps:
Ricardo Oliver
Business Intelligence
2
Answers
Cartago, Cartago Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Hi Ladna,
One of the good things about being a Data analyst is how you can learn technical skills while your soft skills grow, solving real life problems in the company using several IT tools and providing visibility to key for stakeholders to make data driven decisions.
I would recommend to learn about programming languages, statistics, Business Intelligence, etc. But it's very important to have an idea on how the business works, how to identify improvement opportunities or address pain points and building solutions based on that.
One of the good things about being a Data analyst is how you can learn technical skills while your soft skills grow, solving real life problems in the company using several IT tools and providing visibility to key for stakeholders to make data driven decisions.
I would recommend to learn about programming languages, statistics, Business Intelligence, etc. But it's very important to have an idea on how the business works, how to identify improvement opportunities or address pain points and building solutions based on that.
Gabrielle Randall
Business Analyst
4
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Gabrielle’s Answer
Hello! For much of my life I thought I would be an engineer. I took classes in high school, majored in it in college originally, but I found what I was learning was not interesting to me. What originally led me to the engineering path is that I was a STEM student, loved math science, and problem solving. Long story short, once I found myself in a Data analyst role, I realized that the "engineering qualities" I had could be applied to data. The subject matters I worked with were much more interesting and I could apply many different interests I have to solve problems from math, technology, and even psychology. Data is king and every industry uses data and analytics. It's a great job to be able to apply your personal interests and passions by finding roles in the fields that connect with you.