Who is a Big Data Analyst?
Before we talk about how to become a Big Data Analyst, let’s understand, ‘what is data analysis?’ Data analysis is a unique method of cleaning, modeling, and transforming data for discovering useful information.
As you can guess by now, a Data Analyst is someone who can analyze data according to the business requirements. In particular, Big Data Analysts are responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and then creating reports. These reports are created on Big Data that has been stored and maintained by the organization they are working for. Unlike Data Analysts, Big Data Analysts specialize in the analysis of Big Data.
Before going further check out the Data Analyst Roadmap video
What does a Big Data Analyst do?
Next, let’s understand, ‘what does a Big Data Analyst do?’ They use manual and automated techniques for analyzing large unstructured or raw data. Further, they use different software that helps them find useful information.
Since Big Data Analysts have knowledge and skills related to Big Data Analytics software, they closely work with Data Scientists, Management teams, and Database Developers/Administrators.
How to become a Big Data Analyst? The Skills Required
Interested in becoming a Big Data Analyst?
Next, in this blog, let’s look at how to become a Big Data Analyst. Since the major role of a Big Data Analyst is to help in the growth of the business, there are various skills required.
Let’s talk about the key skills required for becoming a Big Data Analyst:
Programming: Python, R, Java
Since big data is still evolving, working around complex datasets requires the use of popular programming languages such as Python, R, C++, Java, SQL, Ruby, etc. Since Big Data Analyst need to work with complex datasets that can’t be solved through standard processes, they need to have knowledge of programming languages. Also, in order to deal with unstructured data, they require several customizations on a day-to-day basis.
Data Warehousing: Relational & Non-relational Database
If you have knowledge of non-relational and relational databases, it is a huge advantage for you as it is crucial for becoming Big Data Analysts. Examples of relational databases include Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle Database, MySQL, etc. And non-relational databases, also called NoSQL, include MongoDB, Cassandra, HBase, Neo4j, etc.
Computational Frameworks: Spark, Flink, Samza
A good understanding of frameworks, such as Apache Spark, Apache Flink, Apache Samza, etc., along with MapReduce and Hadoop, is definitely required. These technologies help in the processing of big data for streaming.
Business Knowledge: Validate, Sort, Evaluate
For focused analysis, we require validating, sorting, relating, and evaluation of data. The major reason behind the huge demand for Big Data Analysts is the lack of resources with apt technical skills. So, you would also need to have in-depth technical knowledge for the business needs to work.
Quantitative Aptitude and Statistics: Statistical Knowledge
Along with the use of technology, a basic understanding of statistics is also required. Statistics is known as the building block of Big Data Analytics. Core concepts related to Statistics include probability distribution, summary statistics, and random variables. All of which are important if you are an aspiring Big Data Analyst.
Critical Thinking: Analytical Skills
Big Data Analysts should have exceptional analytical skills to deal with. Majorly required to work with numbers, patterns, and trends for the formulation of conclusions.
Big Data Analyst Job Outlook
The number of scientists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is rapidly increasing. In the upcoming years, they seem to increase by 24 percent. Companies are struggling to fulfill the demand for Big Data Analysts due to the shortage of talent in the market.
Big Data Analyst Salary
Wondering what a Big Data Analyst salary is? Well, according to Indeed, on average, Big Data Analyst salary is US$69,372 per year.
However, there are many factors that affect the Big Data Analyst salary. They are:
- Years of experience
- Educational
- Big Data Analyst certifications.
For a managerial position, of course, the Big Data Analyst salary package increases.
After looking at the salary package, are you wondering how to become a Big Data Analyst? Well, it is pretty obvious now!
Looking at the specific trends in Big Data Analyst salary in India, this is how it is varying in different roles and over different experience levels:
Big Data Analyst Job Description
Big Data Analyst job description would have a few pointers as given below:
- Figuring out the questions which are to be asked and checking whether they can be answered analyzing the dataset
- Determining the technical difficulties related to data collection and data analysis
- Identifying new data sources and methods for improving data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Collecting, analyzing, and reporting data for meeting several business requirements
- Extracting patterns and trends
- Reporting data in a comprehensive and repetitive way
3 Steps to Launch Your Career in Big Data
Now, let’s see how to become a Big Data Analyst in just three steps!
Step 1: Getting a bachelor’s degree in either information technology, computer science, statistics, or any subject related to mathematics as Big Data Analytics deals with maths and statistics mainly
Step 2: Getting a Data Analyst experience. If it is difficult for you to get employment as a Data Analyst, working as an intern in startups will really get you all the experience you need to get an amazing job as a Big Data Analyst. Internships provide valuable training and experience
Step 3: Advancing your career with certifications. To attract big firms to you, you must get certified, and this is mainly because the firms want their employees to be well versed with the technologies for which they are hired. Comparing an individual having knowledge but no Big Data Analyst certification with another who has the Big Data Analyst certification, companies tend to choose the latter with the certification. Also, the annual salary will be higher for him/her.
Now, it is your call how you want to become a Big Data Analyst.
