Becoming a Data Analyst

Get started with your data analysis career with in-depth explanations of key concepts, real-world applications, and career guidance

Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Key Features

Conquer all essential data analysis techniques using real-world exercises, mini-projects
Learn essential tools like Excel, SQL, and Power BI, which are crucial for any data analyst
Get career guidance and tips for building a portfolio, regardless of your background or experience

Book DescriptionThis guide is designed to take you from novice to confident data analyst. Starting with the fundamentals of data analytics, you will explore what data analysis entails and why it's crucial in today's data-driven industries. You'll develop a data analyst mindset, honing your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through practical exercises.

You'll be introduced to different types of data, data sources and key concepts like KPIs and data warehouses. Hands-on chapters will guide you through Excel for basic data analysis, teaching you vital functions, pivot tables, and visualization techniques. You'll dive into SQL to query and manipulate data as well as data cleaning and exploration to prepare datasets for meaningful analysis.

More advanced chapters will introduce you to Power BI, so you can build interactive dashboards and use DAX for advanced calculations. You'll work on major projects that will form a professional portfolio showcasing your skills in sales analysis, HR analytics, and customer insights.

Finally, the book will teach you the art of communicating your findings through data storytelling to different audiences. You'll also find guidance on continuing education and career growth, ensuring you're well-prepared to launch a successful career in data analytics.What you will learn

Understand the fundamentals of data analytics and the role of a data analyst
Develop an analytical mindset for problem-solving
Gain proficiency in Excel for data analysis, including pivot tables and basic statistics
Learn to write SQL queries to extract and manipulate data
Learn data cleaning and exploratory data analysis techniques
Create compelling data visualizations and dashboards using Excel and Power BI
Build a data analytics portfolio with real-world projects
Communicate insights effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Who this book is forIf you’re interested in pursuing a career in data analysis or enhancing your existing data analysis skills or simply want to learn how to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions, this book is for you. It’s designed for beginners, so no prior experience in data analysis is required. However, basic computer literacy, proficiency in using Microsoft Excel, and familiarity with mathematics and statistics will help you on your journey. The book is suitable for students, recent graduates, and professionals from various fields, including business, finance, healthcare, and education.