Pursuing a Career in Business Analytics

Pursuing a career in business analytics might just be the best career decision you could make in the 21^st century. Whether you are already experienced in the field of analytics and want to branch out into business analytics or are a complete newbie and are looking to start your career in this field, there is no better time than now to begin. This is a career that could be virtually recession proof, as the world of business is linked inextricably to the world of data. The digitization of data has made it crucial to develop more ways of organizing, storing, and analyzing this data. With almost all data being stored in the digital format, making business decisions today is based on the analysis of the data that is collected over a period of time.

The opportunities for business analytics are increasing by the millions all over the world with a huge gap existing between the number of opportunities being opened up in this field and the number of people who are really qualified and experienced for it. That is why, whether you are shifting your career gears or gearing up for your first job in this field, it is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

First, it is important to understand the necessary skill sets and innate interests that are most suited for this career. After all, along with hard work and discipline, it helps to be naturally talented and interested in a certain field in order to excel at it. Here are the top traits needed to succeed in the field of analytics and enjoy it while you are at it!

• You get a high out of solving problems.
• You love helping people and businesses solve problems. The greater the impact of the solution, the greater your satisfaction.
• You are curious and ask a lot of questions which help you learn more than your peers.
• You persevere and never give up until you are able to get the solution to a problem.
• You want to get deeper into your technical skills in this field.
• You already have good experience in the business world and want to capitalize on it to help drive businesses towards their potential.
• You love working independently while also enjoying collaborating with people.

The field of business analytics is also one that is highly lucrative, especially now that there is a shortage of qualified personnel for the opportunities that are available in this field. This is also a field where you can expect a great deal of job security. There is virtually no redundancy of skills in this area as long as you are willing to update your skills and adapt with the growing technology.

As of now, this field is a bit unorganized as it is a growing field. So here’s how to get started in this field with a few easy steps:

• One way would be to get trained on the job within a company itself. For this, you would have to get hired by companies that are driven by decisions based on business analytics. Most companies in the technology sector, banking sector, telecommunications, and analytics consultancy companies are the best bet for a great environment to learn these skills on the job.
• The other way would be to get certifications related to business analytics. These are available both online and in person.
• It also helps to attend business analytics seminars, workshops, industry forums, conferences, etc., where you get to learn new skills as well as network with others who are already in this field.
• Google Analytics training is offered for free on Google, which should be enough to get you aware of the basics of this field.
• Internships in firms that use business analytics is also a great way to get your foot in the door in this field.
• There are also good books available on business analytics which you either borrow from your library or buy as an investment into your future.
• The internet has a wide array of resources, both free and paid, for business analytics enthusiasts that will support you considerably as you start on this path.

Even the World Economic Forum had referred to big data as a new economic asset, likening it to the importance that oil was given once upon a time. Big data is valuable for governments, organizations, businesses, institutions, etc., so it goes without saying that a career in this will be well received wherever you may be in the world.