Technology
How to Become a Data Analyst
Learn how to transform data into useful insights and business decisions.
What does a Data Analyst do?
Data analysts collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data to help organizations make informed decisions.
Skills you'll need
Excel
Use spreadsheets to organize, clean, analyze, and communicate data.
Why it matters: Spreadsheet skills remain useful for exploring, cleaning, and communicating data.
SQL
Query, manipulate, and analyze data stored in relational databases.
Why it matters: SQL is one of the primary tools analysts use to retrieve and manipulate structured data.
Statistics
Use statistical concepts to understand data and evaluate conclusions.
Why it matters: Statistics helps analysts interpret data correctly and avoid misleading conclusions.
Data Visualization
Communicate data insights through clear and effective visualizations.
Why it matters: Good visualization makes analytical findings easier for others to understand and act upon.
Python
Use Python for programming, automation, data analysis, and AI.
Why it matters: Python enables analysts to automate analysis and work with larger datasets.
Typical learning path
Data Foundations
~40 hoursBuild spreadsheet, analytical, and statistical fundamentals.
Skills
Milestone: Clean and analyze a small dataset and explain the findings.
SQL & Databases
~45 hoursLearn how to retrieve, transform, and analyze data using SQL.
Skills
Milestone: Answer analytical questions using SQL queries against a relational database.
Analytics Portfolio
~50 hoursCombine SQL, analysis, and visualization into practical portfolio projects.
Skills
Milestone: Complete an end-to-end data analysis project and communicate the results.
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