If you fancy taking your technical knowledge, capabilities with IT and want to convert your interests into a profitable, new career – studying to become a Data Analyst is a particularly lucrative choice. Hiring qualified Data Analysts is a top priority across all sectors, not just in Tech specifically! In 2021, it’s been forecasted that businesses which are able utilise data-driven insights will take approximately £1.4 trillion yearly from their less-informed competitors. This is due to data-driven businesses being 23 times more likely to gain customers and 19 times more likely to be profitable overall. As the world is becoming much more tech-savvy and our reliance on technology increases, gaining data is now key for having a competitive advantage. Businesses are seeking to apply analytics to understand it, leverage it as well as implementing new technology. 

Training to be a Data Analyst has plenty of advantages when it comes to career growth, demand and learning new, highly needed skills and abilities within the field. With there being a digital skills shortage within the UK, there’s plenty of opportunities for aspiring Data Analysts to find work with the right training. 

The World Economic Forum has predicted that in 2022, 85% of companies globally will start taking measures to adopt analytic technologies and big data. They also learnt that 96% of companies expressed a keen interest to hire professionals in data analytics in the near future. Top skills that are useful for starting out include: analytical and problem-solving abilities, being comfortable working with numbers and communication skills. Other skills such as data management and visualisation can be learnt over time via a detailed training course. Here’s some of the top perks for becoming a Data Analyst: 

Find yourself gaining a competitive salary in your role 

If your balance on payday is less than impressive, training up to work in Data Analysis can put a smile back on your face. As mentioned previously, due to the digital skills shortage continuing to affect the UK and hiring managers being less able than ever to find trained professionals in Data Analytics, the salaries (even for entry-level positions) are more than fair!

Right now, the starting salary stands at £23,000, the average salary is £28,735 and more senior roles for highly experienced professionals in roles like Senior Data Officer, Head of Analytics or Chief Data Officer may receive as much as £70,000 annually. Climbing the Data Analyst career ladder will definitely provide you with plenty of financial security while becoming a pro in such sought-after digital skills. 

These salaries are reflected by just how important it is to hire professionals who are thoroughly capable and well educated when it comes to handling data. 

The chance to work with top international companies 

Training and building your career in data analytics can very quickly lead you to working for well-known international organisations. Yes, you could start off with small companies or start-up’s but having an abundance of career growth opportunities will definitely open doors to major companies along the way!

Companies like Microsoft, IBM, HP and SAP have a big focus on recruiting individuals knowledgeable in big data research. And if you create a professional social media presence on a website like LinkedIn or one tailored to just IT and Tech professionals, you’ll probably find that recruiters and business owners may get directly in touch with you based on your training and industry experience too. 

You’ll be in high demand due to the current digital skills shortage 

When entering the workforce as a Data Analyst, you’re not going to feel disposable or second guessing your worth – you’ll be an asset, a crucial part of the team while focusing on important findings and projects. And a lot of Data Analysts work remotely too so you’ll find that you might enjoy the option of working-from-home or being a digital nomad. 

There’s been a big emphasis on the lack of data skills within the UK, with 46% of businesses struggling to hire because of a lack of data skills within the last two years. There’s currently an estimated 178,000 to 234,000 vacancies within the UK which require knowledge of hard data as well as more basic IT skills – all of which are struggling to be filled! 

With the vast amount of data companies gain in today’s digital climate, it’s a top priority to have a Data Analyst organise the data, process and display it clearly for the businesses understanding and benefit – and ultimately not let it go to waste! 

You’ll be in a new, evolving field and learn highly valuable skills 

As a Data Analyst, it’ll be your responsibility to collect, study and structure the expansive range of incoming data from various different sources and use them as relevant business insights. Making sense of the statistical modelling, probabilities, knowing how to convert the data into understandable information and maintaining data systems are just some of the key responsibilities. 

With 81% of companies now becoming reliant on data to understand customer behaviour, your developing skills in the industry will be highly valuable to help developing marketing strategies, preparing reports on key findings, targeted content creation, ad campaigns and product development. 

Collecting data is needed across all sectors from finance, consulting, education, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals and beyond! 

No worries when it comes to maintaining great job security 

Due to the demand for Data Analysts being so strong and the individuals currently capable of doing the job are so limited, you’ll find that your company will be keen to have you on-board and look to keep you on their team long-term.

The value of Data Analyst’s across all sectors can only become more and more prominent with companies only mentoring 12% of the data that comes their way at the moment! There’s a huge push to put an end to the data skills gap in the UK – by working your way into the industry at this time, you’ll reap the benefits of feeling as stable as possible in your position… along with gaining great salary perks and taking on much needed, important work! 

So there you have it. We might be bias, but even still, we think a career as a Data Analyst is a great move. If you are considering a role in Data, check out our expert learning pathway using the button below!