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What should I work on this summer if I want to be a data analyst?
If I want to become a data analyst, are there any skills I should work on, technical skills I should learn, and/or books I should read to learn more about this field?
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7 answers
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Hi Ying!
As you prepare for a career as a data analyst, I would highly recommend building some foundational knowledge of how to use Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets. Those tools hold a lot of power!! It would be wise to know how to write and use some basic formulas, such as vlookup, importrange, if, countifs, and how to use pivot tables.
Here is an article from Indeed that goes over some of those basic formulas: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/google-sheets-formulas
This is also a good Youtube video on Google Sheets basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bvRa7T-59U
As you prepare for a career as a data analyst, I would highly recommend building some foundational knowledge of how to use Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets. Those tools hold a lot of power!! It would be wise to know how to write and use some basic formulas, such as vlookup, importrange, if, countifs, and how to use pivot tables.
Here is an article from Indeed that goes over some of those basic formulas: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/google-sheets-formulas
This is also a good Youtube video on Google Sheets basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bvRa7T-59U
This was super helpful, thank you!
Cassandra
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
There are plenty of skills required to be a successful data analyst from project management to communication to analytical understanding. But starting with the technical side will make you a competitive applicant.
I'd suggest starting by learning SQL which is very versatile and common across many companies. It's also easier to pick up and can be used within other languages such as R, SAS, or Python. The other advantage to SQL is there are a lot of free ways to learn it. Check out a book from the library if you are more inclined towards books but I'd recommend checking out Coursera or Codecademy which have plenty of free tutorials that allow you to practice along.
I'd suggest starting by learning SQL which is very versatile and common across many companies. It's also easier to pick up and can be used within other languages such as R, SAS, or Python. The other advantage to SQL is there are a lot of free ways to learn it. Check out a book from the library if you are more inclined towards books but I'd recommend checking out Coursera or Codecademy which have plenty of free tutorials that allow you to practice along.
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I wholeheartedly agree with both colleagues who have responded to your inquiry, and I believe Rachel is heading in the right direction—inspiration is key.
With that in mind, I absolutely adore my job! Sure, there are days when it feels like trudging through thick mud, but uncovering a hidden pattern within the data can truly brighten your day. Never hesitate to question why or to declare, "This doesn't make sense."
Now, allow me to pose a question: What if delving into data analytics is actually putting the "cart before the horse"? For example, suppose you're considering a career as an anthropologist. Surprisingly, exploring whether you want to become an anthropologist can teach you data analytics.
So, my suggestion is to concentrate on an alternative career path, and if it ultimately leads you back to data analytics, you'll know for certain that it's the right profession for you.
With that in mind, I absolutely adore my job! Sure, there are days when it feels like trudging through thick mud, but uncovering a hidden pattern within the data can truly brighten your day. Never hesitate to question why or to declare, "This doesn't make sense."
Now, allow me to pose a question: What if delving into data analytics is actually putting the "cart before the horse"? For example, suppose you're considering a career as an anthropologist. Surprisingly, exploring whether you want to become an anthropologist can teach you data analytics.
So, my suggestion is to concentrate on an alternative career path, and if it ultimately leads you back to data analytics, you'll know for certain that it's the right profession for you.
Thank you for the advice.
Ying Lin
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Ying!
I think the technical skills that the other individuals have suggested are excellent starting points. I have found that I learn the most from these tools when I have an interesting question/project to work through. Think of something within a hobby or area of study you have that can be answered using data analytics.
As an example, my brother and I always talk about baseball together. We were both wondering what stats had the highest correlation with pitchers and hitters respectively. To answer the question, I had to go to my data analytics tool box. Just from this one question, I practiced importing statistics, querying relevant information, cleaning/normalizing data, calculating correlation, and visualizing results.
Learning about data analytics tools can feel like a daunting task. Coupling that learning with questions you are curious about and topics you have a passion for transforms that daunting task into something fun, engaging, and empowering!
I think the technical skills that the other individuals have suggested are excellent starting points. I have found that I learn the most from these tools when I have an interesting question/project to work through. Think of something within a hobby or area of study you have that can be answered using data analytics.
As an example, my brother and I always talk about baseball together. We were both wondering what stats had the highest correlation with pitchers and hitters respectively. To answer the question, I had to go to my data analytics tool box. Just from this one question, I practiced importing statistics, querying relevant information, cleaning/normalizing data, calculating correlation, and visualizing results.
Learning about data analytics tools can feel like a daunting task. Coupling that learning with questions you are curious about and topics you have a passion for transforms that daunting task into something fun, engaging, and empowering!
Updated
Daamini’s Answer
Hi there!
As a data analyst , you would want to build your knowledge and skillset around technical tools, data and understanding the business.
For the technical skills , you can start by:
1. Learning SQL: Numerous courses available on Udemy, Coursera, Datacamp. You can start with the basic free version, but I believe subscription works best. It gives you access to the hands on labs access. Hands-on experience, writing SQL commands gives you a good experience and confidence during your interview rounds. In addition to this Leetcode is also great for practicing SQL/ programming questions. You can start with the Easy questions and then make your way to the higher levels of complexities for the questions.
You can start with any database like Mysql, PostgreSQL, Snowflake.
2. Python or any other programming language : For this you can focus on the key libraries and their usage (pandas, numpy, to name a few).
3. Learn and practice data visualization tools like Looker and Tableau. It will give you an edge while building dashboards and visualizations.
Kaggle is one of the places where you can get free datasets which you can use to build your pipelines.
You should understand the business problem that you are trying to resolve. This will happen with time when you are working on a project .
For Data analysis, it would also be beneficial for you to learn the excel formulas like Lookups, pivot/transform, as you would mostly be dealing with huge datasets, and these functions will come in handy.
Hope this helps! All the Best!
As a data analyst , you would want to build your knowledge and skillset around technical tools, data and understanding the business.
For the technical skills , you can start by:
1. Learning SQL: Numerous courses available on Udemy, Coursera, Datacamp. You can start with the basic free version, but I believe subscription works best. It gives you access to the hands on labs access. Hands-on experience, writing SQL commands gives you a good experience and confidence during your interview rounds. In addition to this Leetcode is also great for practicing SQL/ programming questions. You can start with the Easy questions and then make your way to the higher levels of complexities for the questions.
You can start with any database like Mysql, PostgreSQL, Snowflake.
2. Python or any other programming language : For this you can focus on the key libraries and their usage (pandas, numpy, to name a few).
3. Learn and practice data visualization tools like Looker and Tableau. It will give you an edge while building dashboards and visualizations.
Kaggle is one of the places where you can get free datasets which you can use to build your pipelines.
You should understand the business problem that you are trying to resolve. This will happen with time when you are working on a project .
For Data analysis, it would also be beneficial for you to learn the excel formulas like Lookups, pivot/transform, as you would mostly be dealing with huge datasets, and these functions will come in handy.
Hope this helps! All the Best!
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
I'm excited to share these helpful resources with you, which I believe will guide and inspire you on your journey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUBfrdDwznQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1XeDS-GLbg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2fGS6QVDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqRxZSrJLEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTfssYLJoks
https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-become-a-data-analyst
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-data-analyst
Dive in and enjoy exploring these sources, as they're designed to support and motivate you in your pursuit of success!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUBfrdDwznQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1XeDS-GLbg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2fGS6QVDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqRxZSrJLEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTfssYLJoks
https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-become-a-data-analyst
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-data-analyst
Dive in and enjoy exploring these sources, as they're designed to support and motivate you in your pursuit of success!
Thank you so much for the linked resources, Rachel! I'll look into these as a starting point.
Ying Lin
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hello there! I strongly encourage you to dive into learning SQL and Excel/Google Sheets. They're incredibly useful tools. Additionally, you might find Teradata and Tableau to be extremely beneficial, as they've been of great help to me.
Don't worry about the cost, there's a wealth of free training resources available online, as well as informative books on Amazon to guide your learning journey. I would also urge you to explore training on data storytelling and Google Slides. The ability to transform data into insightful stories is a truly valuable skill to possess. So, go ahead and embrace the learning adventure!
Don't worry about the cost, there's a wealth of free training resources available online, as well as informative books on Amazon to guide your learning journey. I would also urge you to explore training on data storytelling and Google Slides. The ability to transform data into insightful stories is a truly valuable skill to possess. So, go ahead and embrace the learning adventure!