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An estimated 2.7 million job postings for Data Analytics and Science are predicted in the United States by 2020.
More and more companies are recognizing the importance of Big Data as a source to gain insights and make informed decisions. And Data Analytic specialists who can define Big Data, uncover hidden patterns, spot opportunities, and create insights for the betterment of a business are in high demand.
If you’re thinking about Big Data Analytics as a career move, read on for its opportunities and advantages.
- Easy to Start
“Data Analytics” defines the involvement of programming frameworks that include Java, C, Python, or Scala — however, the ability to think of ways to break through to a solution is also important.
Having a natural desire to find solutions, regardless of your present profession, will make it easier and interesting for you to learn languages that are in demand and to specialize with time.
Takeaway: There are many certification courses and materials online for both new and knowledgeable candidates who want to broaden their skills in Big Data. These include learning basic knowledge of Java or OOPS programming, or working with Unix /Linux platforms and tools like Apache Hadoop, R.
Get the latest update of Hadoop and access useful resources/tutorials about Big Data analysis framework at tutorialspoint.
- A Profession in Demand
Big Data Analytics is considered to be the most wanted expertise by 75 percent Internet of Things (IoT) providers, and over 68 percent of them are struggling to find employees with relevant expertise. The scope of professional opportunities is anticipated to grow in years to come.
Takeaway: Prescriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, and Descriptive Statistics are the major three types of Data Analytics job opportunities, and focusing on a niche can help you master and get competitive advantage in specific areas.
- Multi-industry/Domain Opportunities
With popular brands Software AG, Oracle Corporation, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, EMC, HP and Dell have invested more than $15 billion in software firms specializing in Data Management Analytics, increasing the demand for Information Management specialists across multiple industry and domain-types.
Takeaway: Big Data Analytics attain cost-effective solutions and improve decision-making power in multiple development areas, including healthcare, manufacturing, education, media, retail, and even real estate. You will have an opportunity to select from a variety of industries that match your skills and interests.
- Competitive Salary
In 2017, three out of top five technical jobs were involved with analytics (Data Architects had a median salary of $122,000, Data Managers, a median salary of $109,000, and Data Engineers a median salary of $105,000). The monetary benefits of shifting to a Data Analytics career can prove to be better than those of other IT professionals.
Takeaway: Students and young people who are logically driven, computer-savvy, and excellent communicators looking to make an above-average income while working for fixed hours should look into a Big Data Analytics as a career move.
- Explore Popular Analytics Tools and Techniques
If you have a flair for math and statistics, a Big Data Analytics career move will allow you to enhance your skills in applied statistics, linear algebra, real analysis, numerical analysis, and graph theory.
Takeaway: A degree in computer science would be an added advantage and allow you to enhance your skills for Python, Hive, and SQL coding, and these skills would help you stay ahead in the Big Data Analytics game.
- Enhance Retailer/Customer Relationship
Especially for B2B companies, Big Data Analytics gives better insights about their customers and eliminates the risks of guesswork. As part of the evidence-based segmentation and reporting structure, you’ll be able to build more-fluid and user-driven customer experience with the firm.
Takeaway: As part of a Big Data Analytics team with access to customers’ acquisition channels, you can help brands perform personalized marketing tactics that build customer loyalty.
- Have Authority
By performing Big Data Analytics, you gain insights about what worked and what didn’t, becoming a key person in the organization as it takes actions based on your analysis and solutions.
Takeaway: Being a part of the key performance analysis for an organization results in influencing top-level management, who will depend on you to help make crucial business decisions.
- Key Decision-Making Power
Big Data Analytics is an added value to any organization, allowing it to make informed decisions and providing an edge over competitors. A Big Data career move increases your chance of becoming a key decision maker for an organization.
Takeaway: With more and more companies depending on Big Data specialists, you’ll work with the key person of the organization to streamline decision-making layers from top to bottom and coordinate with local levels to act on insights.
- Multiple Programming Languages
Big Data Analytics is not limited to a single language or a framework. It combines advanced statistical and quantitative skills with programming ability, and there are many potential languages you can specialize in.
Takeaway: You may already have some knowledge of Java, Perl, Ruby, or even C++; by adopting Big Data Analytics as a career, you can extend your programming capabilities to Scala and Julia and MATLAB, too.
- Work with Recognized Brand Names
In addition to the opportunity to work with start-ups and small companies, IBM, SAP, Microsoft, HP, and Oracle are also exploring Big Data research. Of course, big companies are likely to require a data specialist with prior experience, but this creates a growth opportunity for you in the future.
Takeaway: By landing a Data Analytics job with a big name company, you may eliminate the costs in learning the programming language, as you will automatically get a chance to work with a team of experts who are already using multiple languages in their daily tasks.
- Become Specific Domain Campaign Expert
Big Data Analytics works in multiple technical languages for targeting multiple campaigns, such as market segmentation. Mastering in a particular language, you’ll grab a chance to be accountable for the complete delivery of domains that you specialize in.
Takeaway: As an expert, you offer a reliable solution to companies and they will not need to purchase an expensive database from external sources.
- Improve your Microsoft Excel Skills
A Data Analytics career will require the use of Excel to clean, organize, manipulate, and visualize data. Excel is one of the indispensable tools for managing data, so having some knowledge can give you an advantage in cracking a Data Analytic job.
Takeaway: There are many online tutorials and live seminars to educate you on the basics; those new to Excel can access video training programs offered by Microsoft.
- New Skill Opportunities
With data assurance, finance, sales, marketing, and Business Intelligence (BI) being the most popular work areas for Data Analyst specialists, you’ll have an opportunity to use your skills across multiple industries.
Takeaway: Acquiring Data Mining, Data Infrastructure, Data Visualization, and Decisions Analysis skills allow you to expand your service to different areas and enhance your Data Analytics knowledge.
- Growth Opportunity due to Digitization
Many companies recognize the importance of Big Data research and have adopted comprehensive digital operations to enhance consumer satisfaction. And with Big Data Analytics allowing companies to fuel their intelligence endeavors, there is a broad opening for beginners and professionals with the relevant skill sets.
Takeaway: A Big Data Analytics career move does not limit you to a particular field. With a relevant set of technical skills you can easily shift and grow with industries that best suit your interests.
- Become a Freelance Consultant
Big Data Analysts are also known as Big Data consultants who offer insights about key areas, including marketing and sales. As a consultant you would be responsible for the process from strategizing and analyses to visualization of various data coming from multiple sources.
Takeaway: If you have a good grip with smart algorithms and adopt the latest Big Data technologies, you can act as a key person for multiple companies who will depend on your data insights when making important decisions.
- Be a Part of Data Podcasts
Podcasts are a great place to enhance and explore new Data Analytics job opportunities. There are multiple podcasts available online; iTunes is popular with specialists from IBM Big Data and Analytics Hub.
Takeaway: Being a part of the Data Analytics community, you’ll get a chance to learn and grow together. Additionally, you’ll have a chance to increase your visibility among brands and business owners who regularly visit podcast platforms to understand the potential and growth opportunities with Data Analytics.
- Become a Mentor
With the advancement of your programming skills, you can be recognized while working in a company. You can increase the chances of applying for a mentor’s position and working with a team.
Takeaway: Increasing experience in a specific domain will attract opportunities beyond those of completing your tasks. Also, educational sites looking for mentors for their multiple Big Data Analytics programs can be a source of income.
- Become a Stakeholder
If you have an ability to offer creative solutions with the power of Data Visualization, you can become a stakeholder of companies that offer more than a good salary.
Takeaway: As a Data Analytics specialist, your salary isn’t fixed salary; by helping companies make improved decisions, you can earn additional perks or a high commission.
- Become an Excellent Communicator
Data Analytics career prospects depend not only on how good are you with programming —equally important is the ability to influence companies to take action. As you work for an organization, you will improve your communication skills.
Takeaway: As the number of Big Data Analytics projects you work on grows, your chance of influencing companies to take actions on-the-go also increases.
- Get a Chance to be a Data Scientist
Last, but not the least, you have an opportunity to be an all-in-one solution provider who combines the jobs of a Data Analyst and Data Engineer. For example, a mid-size level company will distribute the work of cleaning, structuring, and performing Big Data projects among several people. However, many companies depend on one Data Scientist who performs all the tasks.
Takeaway: The job role of a Data Scientist may sound multifaceted, however, having an ability to use your skills in multiple areas related to the successful management of an organization will help you make a mark in the world of Big Data Analytics.
Over to You
No matter how advanced Big Data Analytics jobs get, human insights will always be in demand. And as more companies look for experts to understand data and offer effective solutions, the demand for Data Analytics professionals will continue to increase for years to come.