Non-conventional path to becoming a Data Analyst

There are days when we might feel disheartened and discouraged, especially when facing challenges that seem to hinder our progress toward certain “life-defined” career milestones in our journey. Questions may linger — Am I not good enough? Am I smart enough to pass this interview? Do I have the tenacity to grasp these formulas? Can I break into this industry? Is this career field too saturated? Is there room for me to fit in?

I bring you good news! Do not feel uneasy; these were valid questions I asked myself, and the list continued indefinitely. Unlike most teenagers, I had a very blurry vision of what the future held for me. Growing up and until today, there were so many career options to select from, so many fancy and catchy names. I watched my older siblings take paths in sciences and theater arts, and I said to myself, “We certainly need a finance mogul in our career diverse home” .

Pilot

Pursuing a career in Accounting from one of the most prestigious universities in Lagos, Nigeria, seemed like the dream! In my case, that was the beginning of my perplexities. After earning a degree in Accounting, I migrated to the United States, went on to obtain a Master’s in Business Administration focused on General Business. I took this route because I did not want to deviate totally from my comfort zone in Business.

You may wonder, why not a Master’s in Accounting? Well, I realized Accounting had no place for me. In a nutshell, I could not fit in for unknown reasons. With the help of some transferable business-related skills/knowledge, I landed a Contract Business Analyst role, working closely with Software Engineers and Data Engineers. And just like that… I felt the spark!

To clarify the role of a Data Analyst: a Data Analyst is an individual who collects, explores, analyzes, and interprets data with the aim of solving specific problem(s).

Working with data has become my holy grail. Known for possessing a curious mind, I ensured to pose tech-related questions while gathering requirements. I also leveraged resources within my reach — wrangling data requirements, even though it was not within my designated scope of duties. Additionally, I made extra efforts to visualize data using Microsoft Excel.

Working with data has become my holy grail. Known for possessing a curious mind, I ensured to pose tech-related questions while gathering requirements. I also leveraged resources within my reach — wrangling data requirements, even though it was not within my designated scope of duties. Additionally, I made extra efforts to visualize data using Microsoft Excel.

One key point to note is that every profession deals with data, whether it’s customer service, warehouse shipping, sales, fast food, retail stores, compliance, education, and many more. Start by crunching your department’s data (with proper authorization, of course), search for patterns/trends, and explore and visualize while deriving actionable solutions.

Reflecting back, all I desired from a career was that rush of accomplishment after a day at work, and data analysis along with decision-making provided exactly that. Here are some tips I’d like to share, which I believe go beyond the cliché steps that have been circulating lately.

Realistic Tips

1. Start today!

2. Embark on your journey by conducting a self-assessment of your current strengths, and leverage those skills as a foundation for improvement.

3. Begin by learning and mastering essential tools, such as Microsoft Excel, SQL, tailoring your pace to your individual learning capacity.

4. YouTube videos are at your disposal! Here is one of my favorites https://www.youtube.com/@AlexTheAnalyst

5. Select a target industry or niche, or explore opportunities within your current company’s data pool.

6. Master the intricacies of the chosen industry’s data, aiming to comprehend key drivers and understand the decisions that contribute to its competitiveness.

7. Adopt a mindset focused on identifying how data analysis can enhance cash flow within the industry.

8. Practice effective ways to share or present your findings, honing your ability to communicate complex insights to diverse audiences.

9. For quicker results, cultivate a relationship with the data team within your organization or identify individuals who can share insights from real-life working experiences.

10. Pace yourself.

Conclusion

While I understand that everyone’s journey is unique, applying some or all of these tips could provide you with a significant head start. Feel free to leave a comment if you found this information helpful.