There’s a misconception that D&A practitioners, that is people in the D&A world who get stuff done, need to work for technical leaders to develop their careers. This idea limits the real potential of career development in D&A roles.
D&A professionals like analysts, engineers and scientists are often hired to deliver excellent technical work—platforms, pipelines, dashboards, models, and frameworks. However, the idea that someone without a technical background cannot advance their career is babble.
People should be prioritising career progression that focuses more on the business impact one can contribute, rather than simply how technically skilled you are. Being successful in D&A roles is defined by quantifiable, tangible business benefits, not just technical achievement. D&A practitioners need to take a step back and ask themselves: How did my work create value for the business?
There is no shortage of learning opportunities to enhance technical skills in the data space. D&A professionals can continuously upskill through courses, mentorships, certifications, and self-learning.
The industry is rife with examples where technical excellence has been delivered, but the D&A team are considered to have failed because there’s been little business impact.
When one is weighing up job opportunities, it is important to focus on companies and leaders who emphasise business results over pure technical expertise. Look for organisations where the D&A leader, usually at the C-suite level, has the skills required to drive business outcomes, not just technical knowledge.
D&A leaders should have non-technical skills that enable them to align data strategies with business goals. Leaders who can explain how they’ve supported their teams in delivering business results will be more attractive to possible employers.
D&A professionals should prioritise working in an environment where the business impact of their work is recognised and valued. The real measure of success isn’t how technical your work is, but rather the business benefits and outcomes.
The future of D&A careers will increasingly be shaped by the ability to deliver business value, not just technical solutions. As an industry, we need to shift the focus of career progression and leadership expectations toward business outcomes and tangible results and away from technical capabilities.
Sophie Muscat
Sophie is our Head of Marketing. She has a wealth of experience in marketing and communications, having driven strategic initiatives and managed direct communications.
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