The current era can be characterized by an abundance of data coming from every direction and surrounding us everywhere. Scientists refer to this explosion as Big data.
For those who don’t know, big data is the term that is commonly used to describe enormous quantities of data that is not always organized or structured. As a matter of fact, most of the data that businesses receive is in a messy, understandable form that is given a comprehensible form by the competent data analysts of the world.
A report was shared by McKinsey Global Institute which stated that approximately thirty billion pieces of content are posted on Facebook every single month. Even more astounding is the fact that by 2011, the US Library of Congress had gathered data that amounted to 235 terabytes, so you can imagine the size of their data reservoirs by this time. And, believe it or not, fifteen out of seventeen industries in the United States have even larger volumes of data than the US Library of Congress.
However, it’s not the quantity of data that matters as much as what you actually use it for. How companies utilize big data is what is essential to comprehend. Big data contains gigantic power and the way an organization explores that power decides its future.
There are techniques that are applied to draw insights out of big data which can prove to be immensely helpful in making strategic decisions in order to move in a remunerative direction. And, the professionals who assist organizations in doing so are called data analysts.
Many job portals have declared that Big data analyst is among the top five job profiles in the contemporary business world where data is the most precious asset to companies that is a huge game-changer in the competitive realm of commerce.
Hence, earning the position of a data analyst is a great achievement than one can experience in their career and a professional has been exceptionally talented and worthy of reaching up to that level. In this article, you will find a list of qualities that one must attain in the pursuance of a Big data analyst position.
The skills of a Big Data Analyst
- Programming
Learning the art of programming is one effort that every person aspiring for a data analyst job must make. As it is an essential skill that helps a data analyst make a statistical and numerical analysis which is a critical part of their job. The most marketable languages that one must invest money and time are, R, Python, C++, Java, among a few others. Fortunately, it is not that big of a task to become a data analyst as it is not mandatory to learn every programming language.
- Quantitative skills
Besides having knowledge of programming languages, a data analyst is supposed to be sharp enough to exhibit skills in multivariable, matrix algebra, and calculus and linear. Obtaining valuable techniques regarding statistics and probability are also crucial traits that can assist one in carrying out numerical analysis.
- Diverse technologies
Apart from programming, there is a range of disparate technologies that makes one an efficient data analyst. It compasses software, hardware, platforms, and tools. Basic tools, such as Microsoft Excel, R, and SQL, along with SPSS, SAS, and Cognos, are quite popular among Big Data Analysts.
- Knowledge of business & results
There is no good use of analyzing data and pulling out insights if it cannot be applied to realistic business situations. Therefore, have an understanding of how business works and what might help it grow is incredibly necessary for a Big Data Analyst.
