In recent years, the field of data analytics has emerged as one of the most sought-after career paths among the youth. As organisations across industries heavily rely on data and its analysis to make informed decisions, the demand for skilled data analysts continues to grow. In this article, we will explore the importance of data analytics and various aspects of pursuing careers in data analytics, including job roles, and more.

What is Data Analytics?

In the present time, when we talk about business decision-making or making business strategies, the term ‘Data Analytics’ is being used every now and then, and one may wonder, ‘What is data analytics?’ Let’s understand what this term is. 

Data analytics refers to the process of analysing data to draw out insights and make informed decisions. It involves collecting, organising, and interpreting large sets of data to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. Data analytics uses a variety of techniques, including Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, Mathematical Formula, Correlation & Causation, and Regression Analysis, to solve business problems and improve decision-making.

Importance of Data Analytics

Data analytics has become the foundation for companies and organisations across industries, irrespective of their sizes. It plays a pivotal role in analysing customer behaviour, market trends, and bringing innovation, thus helping immensely in making data-driven ideal business decisions, ensuring cost reduction, customer satisfaction, improved efficiency, and increased revenue. All these make it a crucial tool for success.

It provides foundation for the following: 

• Informed decision making
• Making innovations
• Analysing customer behaviour 
• Study market trends

Data Science vs Data Analytics 

You must be wondering how Data Analytics is different from Data Science as they both involve working with data. Let’s understand the difference between these two. 

Data Analytics is majorly concerned with collecting, understanding, and analysing past data to gain insights on trends, patterns, customer behaviour, correlations, etc. The tools used for data analysts are SQL, Excel, and visualisation software. 

Data Science, on the other hand, is a broader field that encompasses data analytics and other advanced techniques. It focuses on predicting future trends and discovering hidden patterns in large and complex datasets. Data scientists use machine learning algorithms, statistical modelling, and data mining techniques. 

The table below shows the key difference between Data Science and Data Analytics.

Feature	Data Analytics	Data Science
Focus	Understanding past data	Predicting future trends
Data Types	Primarily structured data	Structured and unstructured data
Techniques	Statistical analysis, data visualisation	Machine learning, AI, data mining
Goal	Inform decision-making	Discover new insights, build predictive models

In essence, data analytics is a subset of data science. While data analysts provide insights based on historical data, data science goes a step further to uncover hidden patterns and build predictive models that can drive innovation and growth.

Why Choose a Career in Data Analytics?

The following points show why one should choose a career in data analytics. 

High Demand and Job Security

The data analytics industry is growing rapidly, with organisations investing heavily in data-driven strategies. This demand generates a wealth of job opportunities with good salaries.

Diverse Career Paths

Data analytics spans across all industry types.  This allows data analytics professionals to choose roles that align with their interests and skills.

Scope for Innovation

Working in data analytics often involves solving complex problems and creating innovative solutions, making it an intellectually rewarding field.

Excellent Future Career

As technology advances, data continues to be at the core of business operations, ensuring long-term relevance for data analytics professionals.

Careers in Data Analytics

The field of data analytics offers multiple career opportunities with good comparative salaries. The table below shows the careers in data analytics with salaries. 

Career	Job Profile	Average Annual Salary Range (In Rs)
Data Analyst	Analyses datasets to identify trends and insights. Prepares reports and visualisations to support decision-making.	5 lakh – 8 lakh
Business Analyst	Focuses on aligning data insights with business goals. Works closely with management to suggest data-driven strategies.	3.5 lakh – 5 lakh
Data Scientist	Builds predictive models using advanced statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms. Cleans and processes raw data for analysis.	8 lakh – 11 lakh
Data Engineer	Designs and maintains data pipelines and databases. Ensures the availability of clean and structured data for analysis.	6 lakh – 9 lakh
Quantitative Analyst	Works primarily in finance to model market risks and predict trends. Uses data analytics to guide investment strategies.	7.5 lakh – 9 lakh
Marketing Analyst	Analyses consumer behaviour and campaign performance. Provides insights to optimise marketing strategies.	3.5 lakh – 5 lakh

*Note: The salaries mentioned above are entry-level salaries sourced from various sources on the internet. Hence, they can vary.

Courses Offered in Data Analytics

In India, one can pursue a wide range of data analytics courses via both online and offline mode. Following are some popular ones: 

Online Courses and Certifications

• Google Data Analytics Certificate
• Coursera Data Analytics Specialisation
• edX MicroMasters Programme in Statistics and Data Science
• Simplilearn Data Analytics Course

Offline Programmes

• Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate Programmes
• Executive Programme
• Bootcamps

Conclusion

A career in data analytics offers immense opportunities for growth and innovation. With the right mindset, and continuous learning, one can thrive in this field. Whether you’re just starting or considering a transition, data analytics offers a great career with the potential to make a meaningful impact with good remuneration across industries.

Also Read: Best Data Science Colleges In Delhi NCR 2024