Data & Analytics is a rapidly growing industry, with a very diverse field of new and exciting roles appearing very frequently. From Data Engineers to Data Analysts, Machine Learning Engineers, and Data Scientists to new positions such as Analytics Engineers and AI Engineers. As the industry has developed over time, it’s very common for us as recruiters to be asked ‘how to get into this industry?’ Many individuals take the path of going to university, getting a degree, and starting as a junior or analyst whereas many Data Leaders I have spoken to over the years, backgrounds have very much not started that way and it’s a case of falling into the position that they are now successfully in from the responsibilities that they have picked up along the way.
As an aspiring data enthusiast, where should you start?
Education should always be your starting point, whether this is university or not. Many positions that come live now don’t require you to have a degree in Maths or Computer Science (even though that can always be seen as a plus) however it’s more about the commercial work you’ve done or what relevant skills you can bring through from another organisation.
You can also learn the basics from alternative programmes where you can receive professional certifications, boot camps or self-study courses. Having basic technical skills in SQL or Python can go a long way into your career and most engineering and analyst roles you see nowadays always ask for one of these, if not both! With these basics and hard skills such as communication, problem-solving and the ability to work within a team, you could be seen as up there in being one of the candidates a potential employer would look to interview for an entry-level or junior position.
Training comes next, as through projects and learning, you can gain more skills in data that you will need throughout your career, and this can be anything from developing yourself in the Cloud or Visualisation to also enhancing those hard skills which could be your ability to connect with different stakeholders or presenting your findings.
Within the industry nowadays we are seeing a range of companies from different sectors support with graduate schemes, and placements to help junior individuals grow into future opportunities. For example, the likes of Morrisons encourage others to join their 2-year graduate scheme programme in Data Science where they incentivise based on being exposed to all different areas of the business with the opportunity to be promoted to a Data Scientist within the team upon completion.
Kubrick Group is a known consultancy that supports people with no data or technology experience with a 2.5-year development programme which gives you exposure to real-world commercial projects with leading clients. The opportunities here are very enticing, as, after two years, you can join your client as a permanent employee or remain with Kubrick and progress internally.
Here at Orbition Group, we also support seniors and above with a free Mentorship programme which is designed to develop, upskill and progress the next generation of leaders in the data analytics industry.
There is indeed a huge list of organisations that are similar to these to encourage and motivate individuals to join the Data & Analytics community, which enhances that you don’t always need a degree to enter this field of work. With the right guidance, training and exposure, you can grow!
Lastly, one of the most important areas to focus on from the beginning and throughout your Data journey. Knowing the right people in your professional circle can sometimes lead to success. Other avenues that you can go down are attending events such as Big Data LDN or conferences that are put together for your particular industry or area of expertise. With these, new opportunities can be brought to your attention. LinkedIn will be your best friend (I’m biased as I’m a recruiter) however I have been able to witness over the past few years the sense of community that data & analytics individuals have with each other and how connected everyone is.
Building a successful career in Data & Analytics takes a mix of education, hands-on experience, ongoing learning, and smart networking. Since the industry is always evolving, staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial. By focusing on these areas, you’ll be well-equipped to thrive and reach your professional goals in this exciting field.
Natalia Kurasinski
Natalia is a highly skilled talent partner. With a passion for identifying top talent and a strong commitment to customer service, she has established herself as a valuable resource to both clients and candidates in the data & analytics industry.
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