The Work

Whereas a Data Scientist is mainly looking at the unknown, the Data Analyst is mainly looking at the known, i.e. historical data, from new perspectives, or writing custom queries to answer complex business questions.

The role of the Data Analyst is to come-up with and implement new metrics for capturing previously poorly understood parts of the business / product.

As such, Data Analysts perform a variety of tasks related to collecting, organising, and interpreting information. The exact nature of the job will vary depending on the particular business or organisation, for example, a Data Analyst working for a hospital would focus on different elements than an Analyst working with a supermarket chain or in the Financial Services sector. An Internet based business may want to know where its customers are coming from, how much they are spending on purchases, and whether deals like free delivery have an impact on overall profits.

People in this job role look for ways of assigning numerical values to different business functions so that an element can be assessed and compared over time. Analysts are tasked with identifying efficiencies, problem areas, and possible improvements for the organisation.

Data Analysts use computer systems and complex calculation applications to compile their statistics.

Once the information has been collected, analysts are responsible for coming up with some conclusions about what it means, and then educating business executives on how to use it and advising on what differences in numbers mean when looked at from year to year, or across various departments.

Analysts may advise project managers and leaders on how certain data points can be changed or improved over time and about making necessary or beneficial changes e.g. a  health clinic that wants to improve patient through time might ask an analyst to identify the main reasons for delays.

Preparing written summaries to accompany graphs and charts, press releases, and formal reports may also be part of the Analysts job.

Analysts also collaborate with database programmers and administrators to write system modification recommendations or in-house instruction and training materials.

Most of the work analysts do requires computers and statistical software programs, so a certain degree of technical expertise and training is also required.

Program troubleshooting and system security measures, and an ability to adapt to changing technologies, as well as keeping updates current and useful across multiple platforms is also required of the Data Analyst.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Analyse, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
• Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use.
• Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
• Clean and manipulate raw data using statistical software.
• Compare models using statistical performance metrics, such as loss functions or proportion of explained variance.
• Create graphs, charts, or other visualisations to convey the results of data analysis using specialised software.
• Deliver oral or written presentations of the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
• Design surveys, opinion polls, or other instruments to collect data.
• Identify business problems or management objectives that can be addressed through data analysis.
• Identify relationships and trends or any factors that could affect the results of research.

Further Information

• Data Analyst - from: Rasmussen College

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Employers typically require Data Analysts to hold at least a Level 8 Degree in a numerate field such as Statistics, Computer Science, Business Administration, Mathematics, Economics or Data Science.

The level of qualification required will depend on the complex of the analysis being performed, if wishing to work in high frequency financial trading you will find yourself competing against many people with advanced postgraduate qualifications.

As there is a quite a bit of variety in terms of the types of tasks Data Analysts perform some qualifications are better suited to different positions than others.

For example, big data operations in large corporations in the private sector usually demand more programming skills, so a background in computer science may be beneficial.

A Level 7 Degree in Computer Science is a typical starting point to a career in this sector. Experience of Six Sigma and knowledge of statistics would be beneficial, together with an understanding and experience of business functions.

Training & Development 

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, Data Analytics, Software Development & Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & Sales, Media studies, Marketing at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: ICT software developer NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Media & Communication, Communications, Data Science, Digital Marketing with Analytics, Data Science and Analytics, Computing - Data Analytics and Big Data, Business Analytics NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Computer Science - Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Data Science & Analytics, Digital Marketing & Analytics, Art Design & Media - Research, Media & Communication - Research NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Training for Data media analysts may be on-the-job or via alternaitves in Skillnets, Higher education, Springboard HCI. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  
 
Irish Analytics Inst

Springboardcourses

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Lincoln / CPL / Morgan McKInley/ Azon/ Collins McNicholas/ Clark/ Archer/ Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average growth rate for this occupation was significantly above average, with strong growth observed between 2020 and 2021; employment grew by approximately 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Employment was spread across all sectors of the economy, with the largest share, at just over a fifth, for professional activities. Employment permits, primarily in the ICT sector, spanned a number of roles, including data analysts, account strategists and logistics specialists.

While the number of online job adverts (OVATE) remained almost unchanged in 2022 for this occupational group, there was a 6% increase in adverts for financial and accounting technicians (although the numbers involved are small).

Employers (Skills for Growth & Spotlight on Skills) have signalled difficulties in recruiting data analysts. Furthermore, data analysis skills were required in other difficult-to-fill job roles such as engineers, software developers, and lab analysts. Demand for data analytics skills is evident; however, rather than existing only as standalone roles, these skills are increasingly embedded in other occupations.

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
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• The Analytics Institute of Ireland

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• Wind Energy Ireland

  • Sycamore House Millennium Park Osberstown Naas Co Kildare W91 D627
  • 045 899341
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