How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (2024)

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

If you enjoy working with numbers and solving puzzles, a career as a data analyst could be a good fit.

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (1)

Data analysts gather, clean, and study data to help guide business decisions. If you’re considering a career in this in-demand field, here's one path to getting started:

  1. Get a foundational education.

  2. Build your technical skills.

  3. Work on projects with real data.

  4. Develop a portfolio of your work.

  5. Practice presenting your findings.

  6. Get an entry-level data analyst job.

  7. Consider certification or an advanced degree.

Let's take a closer look at each of those seven steps.

How do I become a data analyst? A step-by-step guide

You can find data analytics jobs in all sorts of industries, and there’s more than one path toward securing your first job in this high-demand field. Whether you’re just getting started in the professional world or pivoting to a new career, here are some steps toward becoming a data analyst.

Learn more: What Does a Data Analyst Do? A Career Guide

1. Get a foundational education.

If you’re new to the world of data analysis, you’ll want to start by developing some foundational knowledge in the field. Getting a broad overview of data analytics can help you decide whether this career is a good fit while equipping you with job-ready skills.

It used to be that most entry-level data analyst positions required a bachelor’s degree. While many positions still do require a degree, that’s beginning to change. While you can develop foundational knowledge and enhance your resume with a degree in math, computer science, or another related field, you can also learn what you need through alternative programs, like professional certificate programs, bootcamps, or self-study courses.

In this video, practicing data professionals offer their best advice for aspiring data analysts.

2. Build your technical skills.

Getting a job in data analysis typically requires having a set of specific technical skills. Whether you’re learning through a degree program, professional certificate, or on your own, these are some essential skills you’ll likely need to get hired.

  • Statistics

  • R or Python programming

  • SQL (Structured Query Language)

  • Data visualization

  • Data cleaning and preparation

Take a look at some job listings for roles you’d like to apply for, and focus your learning on the specific programming languages or visualization tools listed as requirements.

In addition to these hard skills, hiring managers also look for workplace skills, like solid communication skills—you may be asked to present your findings to those without as much technical knowledge—problem solving ability, and domain knowledge in the industry you’d like to work.

3. Work on projects with real data.

The best way to learn how to find value in data is to work with it in real world settings. Look for degree programs or courses that include hands-on projects using real data sets. You can also find a variety of free public data sets you can use to design your own projects.

Dig into climate data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, delve deeper into the news with data from BuzzFeed, or come up with solutions to looming challenges on Earth and beyond with NASA open data. These are just a few examples of the data out there. Pick a topic you’re interested in and find some data to practice on.

Tip: For more inspiration, check out Coursera’s library of data analysis Guided Projects—a series of guided, hands-on experiences you can complete in under two hours.

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (2)

4. Develop a portfolio of your work.

As you play around with data sets on the internet or complete hands-on assignments in your classes, be sure to save your best work for your portfolio. A portfolio demonstrates your skills to hiring managers. A strong portfolio can go a long way toward getting the job.

As you start to curate work for your portfolio, choose projects that demonstrate your ability to:

  • Scrape data from different sources

  • Clean and normalize raw data

  • Visualize your findings through graphs, charts, maps, and other visualizations

  • Draw actionable insights from data

If you’ve worked on any group projects through the course of your learning, consider including one of those as well. This shows that you’re able to work as part of a team.

If you’re not sure what to include in your portfolio (or need some inspiration for project ideas), spend some time browsing through other people’s portfolios to see what they’ve chosen to include.

Tip: Sign up for a GitHub account and start posting your projects and code to the site. It’s an excellent spot to network with a community of data analysts, show off your work, and possibly catch the eye of recruiters.

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (3)

5. Practice presenting your findings.

It can be easy to focus only on the technical aspects of data analysis, but don’t neglect your communication skills. A significant element of working as a data analyst is presenting your findings to decision makers and other stakeholders in the company. When you’re able to tell a story with the data, you can help your organization make data-driven decisions.

What is data-driven decision-making (DDDM)?

Data-driven decision-making, sometimes abbreviated to DDDM), can be defined as the process of making strategic business decisions based on facts, data, and metrics instead of intuition, emotion, or observation.

This might sound obvious, but in practice, not all organizations are as data-driven as they could be. According to global management consulting firm McKinsey Global Institute, data-driven companies are better at acquiring new customers, maintaining customer loyalty, and achieving above-average profitability [1].

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (4)

As you complete projects for your portfolio, practice presenting your findings. Think about what message you want to convey and what visuals you’ll use to support your message. Practice speaking slowly and making eye contact. Practice in front of the mirror or your classmates. Try recording yourself as you present so you can watch it back and look for areas to improve.

6. Get an entry-level data analyst job.

After gaining some experience working with data and presenting your findings, it’s time to polish your resume and begin applying for entry-level data analysts jobs. Don’t be afraid to apply for positions you don’t feel 100-percent qualified for. Your skills, portfolio, and enthusiasm for a role can often matter more than if you check every bullet item in the qualifications list.

If you’re still in school, ask your university’s career services office about any internship opportunities. With an internship, you can start gaining real world experience for your resume and apply what you’re learning on the job.

7. Consider certification or an advanced degree.

As you move through your career as a data analyst, consider how you’d like to advance and what other qualifications can help you get there. Certifications, like the Certified Analytics Professional or Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst, might help qualify you for more advanced positions at higher pay grades.

If you’re considering advancing into a role as a data scientist, you may need to earn a master’s degree in data science or a related field. Advanced degrees are not always required, but having one can open up more opportunities.

Learn more: Data Analyst vs. Data Scientist: What’s the Difference?

How to become a data analyst without a degree

A degree isn’t always necessary to get hired as a data analyst. Data analysts are in demand, and employers want to know that you have the skills to do the job. If you don’t have a degree, focus on making your portfolio shine with your best work.

Get started with Coursera

If you’re looking to build job-ready data analyst skills without spending the time or money on a degree, consider the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate through Coursera.

Learn how to clean and organize data with SQL and R, visualize with Tableau, and complete a case study for your portfolio—no prior experience or degree required. Upon completion, you can start applying for entry-level jobs directly with Google and more than 130 other US employers.

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (6)

How to become a data analyst without experience

Often employers will want you to have experience working with data before taking a role as a data analyst. Luckily, you don’t have to wait to get hired to start gaining experience. Data is all around us.

If you’re switching to data analysis from another field, start to develop your experience by working with data. Many degree programs, certificate courses, and online classes include hands-on projects with real data sets. You can also find free data sets on the internet (or scrape your own) to gain experience collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing real data.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

It can take anywhere from several months to several years to become a data analyst. The amount of time it takes you will depend on your current skill set, what type of educational path you choose, and how much time you spend each week developing your data analytics skills.

Learn more: Is Data Analytics Hard? Tips for Rising to the Challenge

Yes, though a degree in a relevant field will likely improve your chances. While many positions will list a bachelor’s degree as a job requirement, it is possible to get hired with the right set of skills and experience. If you don’t have a degree (or a degree in a related field), be sure to spend extra time developing your portfolio to validate your abilities.‎

Demand for skilled data analysts is growing — the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2020 report listed this career as number one in terms of increasing demand [2]. And hiring data analysts is a top priority across a range of industries, including technology, financial services, healthcare, information technology, and energy.‎

Data analytics is a skill-based profession. Many positions will look for candidates with proficiency in SQL, Microsoft Excel, R or Python programming, data visualization, and presentation skills. Check some job listings in the industry you’re planning to apply to for more specific qualifications.‎

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree) (2024)

FAQs

How to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree)? ›

Getting relevant certifications in data analytics is one of the best methods of proving your abilities, particularly if you don't have a degree. Many companies—such as Cloudera, SAS, and Microsoft—offer certifications on the tools data analysts use.

How do I become a data analyst with or without a degree? ›

Getting relevant certifications in data analytics is one of the best methods of proving your abilities, particularly if you don't have a degree. Many companies—such as Cloudera, SAS, and Microsoft—offer certifications on the tools data analysts use.

Can I become data analyst without certificate? ›

66% of employers don't require formal education for data analyst roles. So, if you're interested in this field, you don't have to spend years at a university or break the bank to learn the skills you need.

How do I train myself to be a data analyst? ›

In addition to online learning, you can gain practical experience by working on personal projects, participating in data analysis competitions, or contributing to open-source projects. Networking with other data analysts and attending industry events can also help you gain knowledge and insights into the field.

Is data analytics math heavy? ›

As with any scientific career, data analysts require a strong grounding in mathematics to succeed. It may be necessary to review and, if necessary, improve your math skills before learning how to become a data analyst.

Which certification is best for data analyst? ›

6 popular data analytics certifications and certificates
  1. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate. ...
  2. IBM Data Analyst Professional certificate. ...
  3. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate. ...
  4. AWS Certified Data Analytics. ...
  5. SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate.
Jan 17, 2024

How to become data analyst with no experience and no degree? ›

Complete a project-based data analytics certification

You don't need a full-blown degree to become a data analyst, but you do need a structured and formal approach to learning the necessary skills. The best (and most flexible) way to do so is through a project-based course.

Will a certificate in data analytics get me a job? ›

With that in mind, having a certification in data analytics can give you access to more advanced and specialized job roles, leading to higher salaries and better career growth. Nowadays, many people tend to include data analytics on their resumes, regardless of their skill level.

Is data analyst certification hard? ›

A: Learning data analytics can be challenging, especially if you're new to programming, statistics, and data manipulation. However, with dedication, the right resources, and a strategic approach, it's definitely possible to overcome the challenges and become proficient in this field.

Can I get data analyst job easily? ›

There are quite a lot of skills you need to master to become a fully fledged data analyst. As such, it can be quite difficult. However, there are plenty of excellent resources that can help you along the way. Plus, the more you learn, the easier it often becomes to keep learning.

Is a data analyst a stressful job? ›

One of the key stress factors for data analysts is the constant pressure to deliver accurate and actionable insights within tight deadlines. The sheer volume of data that needs to be analyzed can also be overwhelming, leading to high levels of stress.

How long does it take to be a data analyst? ›

Suppose you are determined to become a data analyst. In that case, you can earn a four-year bachelor's degree in Data Analytics that will prepare you for various data analyst positions in the business and IT sectors.

How to start data analytics from scratch? ›

Training in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) qualifications is the best starting point to acquire the basic skills necessary for this profession. However, to work as a data analyst, you must have an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as: Computer science.

Can a data analyst work from home? ›

But you must be wondering whether it is possible to work from home in the field of data analytics. A short answer is yes. Data analysts are in high demand as one of the fastest-growing professions. At the same time, opportunities for work from home data analytics jobs are increasing at a rapid speed.

Is the Google Data Analytics course worth it? ›

While a comprehensive breakdown of courses deserves a separate discussion, I recommend the Google Data Analytics Certificate as an excellent starting point. Additionally, platforms like DataCamp and specific courses offered by Microsoft, such as their PowerBI Data Analyst course, warrant consideration.

Can a non it student become data analyst? ›

In summary, while a background in IT or computer science can be an advantage, it is not a requirement to enter the data analytics or data science domain. With the right education, training, and experience, anyone can develop the skills necessary to be successful in this exciting and growing field.

How hard is it to become a data analyst? ›

While it's true that a background in these fields provides a solid technical basis, it doesn't mean that a career in data analysis is unapproachable for people from other educational and professional backgrounds. Learning to analyze data will require some intensive study, dedication, and a great deal of practice.

Can you get a career in data science without a degree? ›

Absolutely! While a degree can help, it's not the only path to a career in data science. Employers often look for practical experience, a strong portfolio, and demonstrated skills. Certifications, bootcamps, and self-driven projects can all be alternative routes into the field.

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