
In addition, a master’s degree in analytics equips students with the programming languages, database languages, and software programs that are vital to the day-to-day work of a data analyst.ĭownload Our Free Guide to Breaking Into AnalyticsĪ guide to what you need to know, from the industry’s most popular positions to today’s sought-after data skills.įour types of data analytics build on each other to bring increasing value to an organization.

Analysts are also able to account for the competitive environment, internal and external business interests, and the absence of certain data sets in the data-based recommendations that they make to stakeholders.Ī Master of Professional Studies in Analytics prepares students for a career as a data analyst by covering the concepts of probability theory, statistical modeling, data visualization, predictive analytics, and risk management in the context of a business environment. Experienced data analysts consider their work in a larger context, within their organization and in consideration of various external factors. What is Analytics?Īnalytics brings together theory and practice to identify and communicate data-driven insights that allow managers, stakeholders, and other executives in an organization to make more informed decisions. If the role of a data analyst sounds like a good fit for you, here’s what you need to know. Entry-level data analysts receive an average starting annual salary in the $60,000 range however, success in the role can lead to senior positions with salaries exceeding $135,000. IBM has estimated that there will be more than 2.7 million job openings for professionals with data skills by 2020, with nearly 40 percent of jobs in advanced data analytics requiring a master’s degree or higher. But the job involves more than just looking at numbers: An analyst also needs to know how to use data to enable an organization to make more informed decisions.

In these organizations, the job of the data analyst is to assign a numerical value to these important business functions so performance can be assessed and compared over time. They also use data to identify inefficiencies and other business problems that need to be addressed. Organizations in all industries increasingly rely on data to make critical business decisions-which new products to develop, new markets to enter, new investments to make, and new (or existing) customers to target.
