Your Guide to Rewarding Data Science Careers and How to Get Started in Singapore

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Data Analyst

Data analytics is the new Excel. You don’t have to be an expert but being proficient at it is a plus.

You’ve probably heard of the term “data analyst” at some point in the last few years.

A quick search on jobs platform Linkedin will reveal thousands of available job openings for data analysts.

But what exactly do data analysts do, and why are companies in all sectors from Aerospace to Zoology — who seemingly have nothing in common — all hiring for the same role?

Growing importance of data

Data can help businesses better understand their customers, improve their advertising campaigns, personalize their content and improve their bottom lines. The advantages of data are many, but you can’t access these benefits without the proper data analytics tools and processes. While raw data has a lot of potential, you need data analytics to unlock the power to grow your business. Here is what we will be going over.

What is data analytics?

Data analytics is important because it helps businesses optimize their performances. Implementing it into the business model means companies can help reduce costs by identifying more efficient ways of doing business and by storing large amounts of data. Data analytics, in a nutshell, is the science of analysing raw data, in order to make conclusions about that information.

Essentially, you must first collect pieces, or sets of data, organise them properly, and then analyse them, in order to draw useful conclusions from them for business purposes. According to Cliff Chew, a former Senior Data Analyst at Grab, analysing data can help companies identify their key target audience, and help them to understand how best to shape their product to serve their needs.

Data can also help companies and organisations better optimise the use of their resources. For example, a restaurant can use data analytics to better gauge the exact amount of ingredients they need to purchase every month, in order to minimise food wastage.

Why is data analytics important?

Organizations can use data analytics systems and software to make data-driven decisions that can improve business-related outcomes. The benefits may include more effective marketing, new revenue opportunities, customer personalization and improved operational efficiency. With an effective strategy, these benefits can provide competitive advantages over rivals.

Regardless of what industry you are in, data analytics will come into use

Data runs our lives these days. Each time we use a search engine and begin typing a term, we are presented with suggestions uncanny in their accuracy.

With rapid advancements in digitalisation, traditional business models are being overtaken by new business models powered by data analytics and predictive data across all 23 sectors with Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs). If you are keen to stay ahead of the curve, both in your role and in your industry, then this highly in-demand Graduate Diploma Program is just for you.

What do data analysts do on a day-to-day basis?

A data analyst reviews data to identify key insights into a business’s customers and ways the data can be used to solve problems. They also communicate this information to company leadership and other stakeholders.

Ok, but what kind of skills do I need?

The good news is, you don’t need any prior work experience, and anyone with an open mind and a strong curiosity to solve problems can (in theory) be a data analyst. If you are keen to join the industry, you’re probably interested to know what qualifications you need to get hired.According to McKenzie, successful data analysts have strong mathematical and statistical skills, as well as:

Analytical skills to gather, view and analyze information
Numerical skills to measure and statistically analyze data
Technical skills including software and scripting languages to organize and present data

McKenzie said that data analysts also require a strong foundation of business knowledge and professional skills, from decision-making and problem solving to communication and time management. In addition, attention to detail is one of the essential data analyst skills as it ensures that data is analyzed efficiently and effectively while minimizing errors

On the other hand, this does not mean that there are no hard skills required for the job

For example, you need to be proficient in excel, Microsoft power BI and Tableau. It also helps to have an analytical mind, and to have strong communication skills, given that data analysts must be able to clearly convey their findings to business executives and other stakeholders.

Hmm. How feasible is it for someone to jump from a completely different field?

According to Chew, this isn’t as hard as people may imagine. He said that he doesn’t view data analytics as a field of its own, given that it requires a certain context to be useful. This means that a restaurateur, digital marketer or cybersecurity specialist can all become data analysts, provided they have the right skillset.

Chew also said that the economy will only become more dynamic in the future, and people may require more skills in order to remain competitive.

For example, a reporter could very well end up as a data analyst, using his experience in crafting narratives to make his analysis of data more understandable to stakeholders.

“Past and present skill sets should not be seen as mutually exclusive, but rather, as stackable components to help make the individual more employable”, he said.

How much can I expect to be paid?

While the technical skills needed to be a data analyst may seem daunting, the good news is that your remuneration will be quite solid. Fresh graduates in the field can expect up to S$4,000 monthly, according to Chew, and those with 10 years of experience can expect up to $10,000 a month.

If you’re unhappy with your current job, perhaps this is a good field for you to jump to.

Why are there so many jobs available?

You may be wondering: if the pay is attractive, then why are there so many job openings for data analysts? Our MSc Data Analytics programme will equip you to work in some of the fastest-growing sectors of data science and big data industries. A wide range of career opportunities will be open to you. Possible future career options include that of

Well, the truth is that many countries, including Singapore, are facing a shortage of talent in the field. This shortage hits Singapore even harder, given that it is a country that is strongly dependent on talent to maintain its global competitiveness. This shortage largely stems from the fact that the industry is fairly new; after all, the field did not even exist 10 years ago.

According to Chew, it’s important for Singaporeans to embrace the notion of lifelong learning, given how quickly new industries change, rather than believing that they are set for life after the conclusion of their tertiary education.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Data Analyst?

No matter what your specific interests are in the data analytics world, you’re going to need a qualification to get started in the field. You can consider joining Aventis Graduate Diploma in data analytics course

Recommended Programs

If you’re interested in joining the data analytics industry, you can consider enrolling in a beginner-friendly data analytics course like the Graduate Diploma In Business Analytics & Data Storytelling The course will span over just 6 months part-time There will be a mix of assignments, assessments, with a capstone project to end off the course. Best of all, no prior programming or technical background is necessary. Upon completion of this Graduate Diploma, you would be able to have a chance to pursue a rewarding career as a (but not limited to)

Masters of Data analytics for Advanced Learners and Senior Executives

For advanced Learner, you can also consider the Master of Science in Data Analytics aims to provide a deep knowledge of the techniques and unique issues surrounding the emerging use of data for analytics, decision-making, and monitoring within real-world contexts. If you are keen to stay ahead of the curve, both in your role and in your industry, then this is the program for you.

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