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Analytics is the process of analysing available data to find patterns and trends and draw meaningful insights.
Modern organizations use this process to asses main drivers of performance and efficiency across multiple areas and use the insights gained to guide future decision making.
If problem solving, especially in the business context, is your thing, then a career as an analyst may be just the thing you're looking for.
Analytics generally refers to computational analysis of data, and is a very broad field. Most often it is associated with business analytics, where professionals use data analysis to help businesses by improving various processes, products, services and similar, however analytics also plays an important role in various other organisations such as government departments.
To do their work, analysts employ their knowledge across fields such as statistical analysis, coding and programming and use of statistical and analytics tools, as well as their extensive knowledge of the industry sector they work in. They analyse data from multiple streams in order to asses past performance and advise businesses or clients on how to improve their performance in the future. Tools analysts use on daily basis vary with the field they work in, but often include various data bases such as SQL, analytics software such as SAS or Google Analytics, and data visualisation tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and comprehension of business terminology are also crucial for success in a data analyst role as they need the ability to understand various problems and questions that are being asked, as well as clearly communicate their findings and recommendations.
What do analytics graduates do?
Deriving value and actionable insights from their data streams has become a crucial part of success in many business fields, and Data Analysts are in high demand across the board. Data Analysts' work enables business to gain more customers, increase sales, gain a better understanding of customer and client interactions, improve their online metrics and gives them the ability to optimise their business performance by making informed and astute decisions.
Data Analysts perform a range of functions that enable them to effectively advise their businesses or clients, and on any given day these tasks can include things like:
- Perform data analysis to ascertain various business needs
- Elicit information from different stakeholders
- Define business cases
- Develop budgets and forecasts
- Model various business requirements
- Validate offered solutions
- Develop and manage projects
- Conduct price sensitivity studies
- Create reports and recommendations and report back to various parts of the business
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Studying analytics can lead to a successful career in many different fields. Currently, top industries that employ data analysts include:
- Banking, investment and finance
- Agriculture and primary industries
- Real estate and property management
- Telecommunications
- Healthcare
Completing one of our analytics courses will allow you to work as:
- Database Administrator
- Information and Data Professional
- Market Researcher
- Data Analyst
- Database Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Database Manager
- Big Data Visualiser
- Market Research Analyst
- Database Designer
- Data Engineer
- Data Architect
- Software or Applications Programmer
- Business Systems Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Assistant Database Developer
- Assistant Database Specialist
- Database Developer
- e-Research Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Business Data Analyst
- Database Coordinator
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Head of Cyber Security
- Head of Digital Transformation Security
- Head of Cyber Defence
- President Cyber Security
- Information Security Director
- Change Leader
- Cyber Security Executive
- Data and Cyber Security lead
- VP Cyber Security Strategy
- VP Security Assurance
- Security Governance Director
- Threat Investigations Lead
- Enterprise Risk Officer
- Governance Compliance & Risk Manager
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Analytics Manager
- Software Developer
- Systems Engineer
- Program Developer
- Analyst
- Machine Learning Engineer
- UX Designer
- Human Service Manager
- Human Centred Designer
- Client Services Director
- Investigations and Data Journalist (Analyst)
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Brand Manager
- Marketing and Market Research Professional
- Social Media Analyst
- IT Analyst
- Strategic Advisor
- Strategic Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Allied Health Worker
- Health Researcher
- Health Data Analyst
- Epidemiologist
- IT Manager
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- IT Consultant
- Technology Manager
- Director, Technology Strategy and Transformation
- Director, Technology Strategy and Transformation Consulting
- Chief Technology Officer
- AI Developer
- AI Technology Software Engineer
- AI Product Manager
- Software Engineer
- Artificial Intelligence Architect
- view all
You will enjoy working as a Data Analyst and perform well in your roles if you posses following skills and aptitudes:
- Critical thinking
- Enjoy tackling business issues and problem solving
- Great communication skills
- Enjoy working with databases such as SQL and Excel
- Have some programming skill, especially in languages such as R and Python
- Have reasonable knowledge of linear algebra and calculus
- Consultative skills
- Being detail-oriented and having focus on accuracy
- Process modeling and management
- Understanding of business systems and networks
Job opportunities
Data analytics is a growing field, with job prospects currently experiencing moderate growth in Australia. As more businesses shift undertake digital transformation and shift their processes online, the demand for trained Data Analysts will continue to grow across many different sectors. From banking and finance to agriculture and government sectors, wherever there is a need for analysis of large quantities of data, Data Analysts roles are and will be both in demand and highly valued.
Average Salaries
PayScale reports average earnings for roles related to data analytics at $77,000, with average remuneration for people with high level of experience and business acumen well above $100,000.
Industry Bodies
- The Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA)