Currently, there is a paradigm shift in the marketplace as many professionals are looking for job roles in analytics, primarily related to fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and other subjects. However, there is a misconception that only individuals with an IT or engineering background can build a successful career in analytics. However, as the field evolves, many domains in analytics require more than just technical knowledge, for example, business analytics.

In this article, we will highlight how non-tech professionals can contribute to the field of analytics efficiently. However, before we delve deeper into the ‘how,’ let’s answer the ‘why’ and ‘what.’

Why You Should Consider Making A Career Shift To Analytics

1. Huge Job Opportunities

Data Analytics is considered to be one of the most ‘hot’ jobs in the current market as the demand for analytics skills has increased exceptionally. However, there is a significant deficit on the supply side globally and is not restricted to any one location. Hence, there is a large number of unfilled jobs across the globe due to a shortage of skills.

2. Multi-Industry Opportunities

With the help of analytics, businesses can implement cost-effective solutions and improve decision-making power in multiple development areas, like healthcare, manufacturing, education, real estate. Hence, depending on your interest, you will have the opportunity to select your desired field from a variety of industries.

3. Key Decision-Making Power

In today’s generation, companies understand the importance of making data-driven decisions. Hence, as a data specialist, you will get the opportunity to work with a critical person in the organization. You will also be part of the decision-making team and streamline the layers from top to bottom and coordinate with subordinates to ensure appropriate action is taken on the insights.

4. Work With Reputed Brands

Data analytics started small, being restricted to start-ups and small companies looking for business opportunities. However, with the evolution of the industry, giants like IBM, SAP, Microsoft, HP, and Oracle are exploring analytical research. That being said, these companies will look for professionals who are experts and have experience in the field. So, you can’t expect to secure a job at these firms in the beginning. However, it does create a growth opportunity for you.

5. Become an Excellent Communicator

As a data analyst, your career prospects don’t only depend on how good your programming skills are, rather the combination of your technical skills and your ability to influence companies to take action on your insights to play the primary driving force. Hence, as you keep progressing in the field, your communication skills are sure to improve tenfold.

What Are Analysts Expected To Do

Typically, analysts working in the field of analytics are expected to be proficient with concepts like data mining, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and multivariate testing. They are also expected to work closely with the management of the company and provide logical and data-driven insights to make business decisions, right from product development to marketing. To break it down in pointers, analysts are expected to:

• Gather data from multiple sources 
• Evaluate problems and opportunities in the business and identify various areas for improvement 
• Evaluate the feasibility of a solution and possible outcomes using modeling and analysis 
• Create activity diagrams, use cases, business scenarios, document analysis, and workflow analysis 
• Study data accumulated from surveys and workshops 
• Communicate and coordinate with external and internal customers and vendors 
• Understand the business needs of a customer and create applications and operational processes to fulfill the requirement with analytics and product management skills

To fulfill the requirements above, the analyst is expected to have an in-depth understanding of various engineering concepts and modeling techniques and methods. They are also likely to be able to develop a case and communicate among team members and customers. Lastly, they need to be able to conduct cost and benefit analysis to guide the company towards a high return on investment.

How Can A Non-Tech Graduate Fit Into This Role

The job description can be threatening for a non-tech graduate, like a commerce student, as analytics is a relatively new field of them. However, a commerce student, for instance, can make use of their strong foundation in finance and management to understanding insights from the data and make better decisions. Moreover, their experience of dealing with numbers can play a crucial role in deriving useful information from numerical data. Non-tech professionals looking to move to the analytical industry, need to work on the following skills:

• Document creation and training 
• Understand workflow management process improvement 
• Gain a thorough understanding of research, analysis and data management
• Get familiar with software applications and even technical experience such as coding
• Upgrading excel skills

Regardless of how advanced technology and analytics get, businesses will always need human insights to analyze the data and derive insights to make decisions. Hence, more and more companies are looking for experts to understand data and offer data-driven decisions to help their business reach new heights of success. So, it doesn’t matter which field you come from, if you have an interest in data analytics, the time jump the bandwagon is now! All you need to do is register for an analytics course at reputable institutes like N.L. Dalmia and kick-start your career in big data analytics.