Is data analyst a good career in 2024? | salary, AI, day in the life

Should you become a data analyst? Are you on the path to becoming a data analyst but unsure of whether it's right for you? What about AI and the future of data analysts? I answer top 3 questions including the day in the life of a data analyst, what is a data analyst, and data analyst skills to determine whether a data analyst career is worth pursuing in 2024.
📚 Resources
Excel: imp.i384100.net/jr6oAP
SQL (I've personally used DataCamp to learn SQL): datacamp.pxf.io/PynDkY
Tableau: imp.i384100.net/xkoGb5
Python: imp.i384100.net/Gmdz5m
Google Data Analytics Certificate: imp.i384100.net/9gqYQy
Storytelling with Data: amzn.to/3HoHYmf
Interview Query (similar questions to the ones I’ve seen in my interviews): shorturl.at/lyLNT
🖥️ My Desk Setup
Keyboard: amzn.to/3Sny1fw
Mouse: amzn.to/47aYpgM
Cable Management: amzn.to/47hQz5b
Dell Dock: amzn.to/3tNVahv
🙆🏻‍♀️ Connect
📫 Newsletter w/ Free Resume Template: agathakang.com/subscribe
📸 Instagram: / agathaakang
🔗 LinkedIn: / agatha-kang
🎥 TikTok: / agathaakang
Business inquiries: [e-mail]
📄 ABOUT ME:
My mission is to help you grow your career, especially in the world of data analysis. Switching careers to become a data analyst from a non-tech background was overwhelming. I made a lot of mistakes and wasted time trying to figure it out. But having been a manager of data analytics and now a senior business intelligence engineer in tech (FAANG), I've learned a lot and I'm excited to use my experiences to help you navigate your career path. I hope this channel gives you the clarity and motivation to get started!
⌚️Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Question 1
02:23 - Question 2
03:49 - Question 3
05:40 - Outro
Content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Some links are affiliate links that support the channel at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!

[@agathakang]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments! Feel free to connect with me on 📷instagram: instagram.com/agathaakang/ and through my 📬newsletter: agathakang.com/subscribe (free resume template in link)

[@ChanStar19]

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you mentioned that data analyst might work out for introverts! I hate being around people all the time 🤔

[@agathakang]

haha nice to meet a fellow introvert :)

[@NB20079]

I appreciated this video especially when i heard that an introvert person can do this job hehehe, follow up questions in the part of finding a job. Better to create a first portfolio even if I Don't have any experience as a data analyst for a company? Because I've been from another non tech job and now i have started to change my career in Data analysis job? Thank you

[@MHb789]

@@NB20079 what do you think in the current scenario of AI,will in future there be less number of jobs or vacancies?

[@rpg3588]

Excellent video! This is what I needed

[@user-xo4qn1zr9u]

Great video! If you're able to do a project walkthrough that would be very insightful!

[@agathakang]

Thanks for feedback! I have it on my list of video ideas

[@asomya87]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing your insights with us. I am in the phase where I am learning the skills to get into this field. Hopefully, with time, I am able to fetch myself a job and get an entry into this field.

[@agathakang]

Yes it's definitely a career field I think anyone can get into. You're doing the right thing. It takes time, but with practice you can definitely attain data analytics skills.

[@agathakang]

Would love to know where you guys are in the data analyst journey. Are you just exploring the career field? Have you taken any courses? Are you in the interview process?

[@armchairstatistician1556]

Hi Agatha, I'm in the education phase of the journey, taking Coursera courses. I also watch many KZbin videos to gain insight into what I need to do next. I find the advice fairly consistent about getting the basic skills and having a portfolio to show to potential employers. But I get discouraged by some videos saying how tough the job market has become and all that. I sometimes worry I'm wasting time learning all this because, while I really like it, I'm afraid I won't eventually find someone to hire me. I'm sure many people feel this way. Thank you and love your videos!

[@agathakang]

@@armchairstatistician1556 the job market is tough right now but it definitely has its ups and downs. If you're enjoying data analysis, I would say continue that path. Leverage your skills and look for entry level roles. Even if it's not a "data analyst" job title there are jobs where you can use similar skillsets like critical thinking and excel to prepare you for the data analyst role.

[@tomphillips5513]

Started teaching myself (Python) through KZbin videos and utilising Chat GPT to understand parts of code and the concepts behind certain functions. With that, I made a data scraper to gather data from several web pages to be used in a ML model whereby I’ll attempt to predict the outcomes of NFL games (my current end of year project for university). I started an accredited data analysis course 5 weeks ago alongside my final academic year to consolidate what I’ve learned, build upon it and get a recognised certification out of it. All going well so far and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I hope to get into data science at some point in the future, however, I’m noticing that salary for data analysts and scientists are far lower in the UK than they are in the US.

[@OneSmileAtATime.]

I am exploring this career, but I feel like it’s over saturated currently. $50-$60k/yr entry is pretty good though to me, considering it’s taking me two jobs to make that now!

[@JuanDorta]

Lovely video! I got subscribed :) I am currently doing my master's in strategic communications, but thanks to research, business strategy, storytelling and my out-of-the-ordinary curiosity I have become highly interested in data. Do you think that I can adapt my communication skills from my undergrad/master's and apply it to a career in data analytics by learning the technical aspects or am I severely behind people with cs and stats backgrounds?

[@agathakang]

Thank you and yes! I would say you're in a good place to pivot and just add some technical skills to your existing skillset of having a strong background in business, strategy, and communications. I too don't have a cs or stats background and was able to leverage my existing business skills to land my first data role in healthcare actually. Highlight your ability to be a good storyteller and communicate in your resume and interviews and I think those skills will really make you stand out and help you change your career to a data analyst.

[@svenfriess8275]

Hi Agatha, thanks for sharing your thoughts about the role. I agree, that it will come to 'critical thinking' and above. As of now, machines will do the actual work better and faster than humans; I think, it's about drawing the right consequences and follow-up's of any situation described through all the data./S.

[@agathakang]

Agreed! Machines definitely do it faster but they are only as smart as the data analysts that tell it what to do and can interpret the results correctly

[@syedfaisal28]

Hey @agatha I have a question . I would like to ask which is the best laptop for data analyst . I am starting to learn it on MacBook but i find it hard to do it on the MacBook. Please let me know which laptop would be best.

[@agathakang]

It's honestly whatever you are most comfortable with or whatever your employer gives you lol I've used both Mac and Windows and if you're working on Excel I would say Windows is definitely easier. Personally because I don't use much Excel on the job and I use a Mac for my personal laptop, I prefer the Mac. But if you're working with cloud technology the laptop doesn't matter so much.

[@user-cx7lf3bs1q]

Haha! Could relate to the "unintentional data analyst" thing!

[@agathakang]

haha agreed! ❤

[@MHb789]

Hi Agatha,as an introvert did you find it challenging in the beginning to be around people and attend meetings ?Or is that something you acquired from your previous role as business consultant?I would like to get into this field,but dont know if this is the right job for me as an intovert?

[@luthfinugraha485]

Hi Agatha, thank you for sharing these videos. I really enjoyed your videos and looking forward to your next videos. Can you consider making videos that explain tools that are usually used by Data analysts in daily work? for example about Python, when do you use it? and what kind of case that need to use python?

[@agathakang]

Yes that's a good video idea and thank you! Generally python is used in the ETL process to load data and for data exploration. I will add this to the list and create a more detailed video.

[@capturingmoments20s]

up for this

[@L4-rr1tt]

Can you suggest some data-focused careers where soft skills are considered less crucial?

[@agathakang]

Soft skills are used in pretty much all data roles but in my opinion, the data engineer role requires less interactions with stakeholders as their job is to maintain the infrastructure of data on the back end.

[@BenNaidoo-yy7mw]

@@agathakangthanks Agatha. To become a data engineer do I need a degree in IT? And the path to becoming a data engineer do I need to start as a data analyst first?

[@mugomuiruri2313]

good

[@agathakang]

thank you!

[@temiymahs_World]

Any bootcamps you suggest?

[@agathakang]

Hey! Yes I've used a bootcamp to pivot my career from working as a healthcare analyst to a business intelligence engineer in tech. I put a link to all the resources I like including a bootcamp in the description. Hope it helps!

[@AA-hh7fu]

Very good idea 💡. I say, Haha I have 2 years of experience as a Data entry operator in HR department. Data entry operator will be no career in future. I am sad to hear about it. How do I work on this new position at HR department?

[@agathakang]

The data entry role is tough because AI technology is only getting better. But it sounds like you have opportunity to work with data in your role. Try practicing data analysis skills on a small subset of the data at work. Think about what types of problems and analysis you can do with it and that way you can get hands on work experience.

[@AA-hh7fu]

@@agathakang You are right. I don't work on this data entry and scanning. I am happy to work. This is my item. 📃Proficient in: 1. Excel and Word 2. Correspondence email writing skills without a handwritten notepad 🚀AI project topic for human resources wing: 1. Developing my paragraph idea by writing commands using email 📊 To-do list task management system: 1. Add the data to the spreadsheet 📂 HR Responsibilities through the description task title: 1. Master employee files leave database's main folders 2. Employee personnel file new joiner process documentation 3. HR tags dispatch/envelope form with the letters 4. HR tags of files: master employee’s personnel 5. Prepare a file of candidates’ interview evaluation form 6. HR flag label with the file document

[@AA-hh7fu]

Data analysis is very difficult to understand how the start of preparation data analysis reports. No fake. I can write a comment and am happy to work.

[@kalMHe]

❤

[@agathakang]

🩷

[@Ashmoke]

So should I start with SQL or Nah?

[@agathakang]

Yes 100% definitely will need SQL if you want to be a data analyst. But I will say just intermediate level is fine. No need to be advanced

[@kazirahat8376]

Can u pls tell what's ur $ "lpa" around

[@agathakang]

Hey I'm not sure what currency "lpa" is to do a conversion for you but you can do a quick google search to convert the usd salaries from the video to lpa

[@oregonfelder1]

AI will find correlations much quicker, but you’re right, a human will ultimately have to decide if that correlation is anything substantial. My statistics professor gave an example of correlation != causation: “there is statistically significant data that suggests people with innie belly buttons score better on academic exams.” Correlation yes, causation…I hesitate to say yay or nay. 😅

[@agathakang]

haha sounds like a good professor. I like that example!

[@joykorshiwor699]

I'm a nurse in Africa. Currently taking data analyst courses I hope it's worth afterwards

[@agathakang]

Yes it’s definitely a career field I think is worth it if you can put in the work to learn it!