Do you have an analytical mind and enjoy organising and interpreting things to make them easier understood or used?  What is Data Analysing all about?

Data Analyst

So, what do they do?

Data Analysts perform analysis of large amounts of data and work out how this data can be used to help a business or organisation.  They work out how the business can then best apply these findings in order to run more efficiently or maximise profits.  Data Analysts use computer systems and complex calculation applications to compile their statistics.  Examples might include working for a hospital to improve efficiency for the patients or for a retail company gathering data on where their customers are coming from, how much they are spending and on what.

What type of person would make a good Data Analyst?

To be a successful Data Analyst you should have good critical thinking skills and be strongly numerate.  Attention to detail is a crucial element of the work, as is being very IT literate.  People with an investigative personality with good administrative skills are well suited.  Communication skills are also a key requirement in order to transmit the results and solutions from the analysed data to the client.

OK, so how do I become a Data Analyst?

Typically Data Analysts should have a Level 8 Honours degree in a related area.  Degrees suited to the job can be in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics or Business Administration.  The wide variety of areas that Data Analysts can work in means that some qualifications are more suited than others.  Some large corporations may require someone with a higher qualification such as the Big Data Analytics programme in LYIT, while a Data Analyst working in finance may require more of a background in economics or statistics such as in UCD’s Economics, Mathematics and Statistics degree.

Finally, are there jobs and what’s the pay like?!

In the most recent National Skills Bulletin, Data Analyst has been identified as a Job in Demand.  There are approximately 14,900 Data Analyst jobs in the country with salary rates ranging from €30k - €90k.  Higher salaries are awarded relevant to positions of authority and size of company.

If you are interested in finding out more information about what a Data Analyst is, what they do and how you might become one, just go to our Career Explorer where you will find detailed information on this occupation and over 1,000 other careers.

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