5 High-Paying Careers That Require Data Skills

Today’s world revolves around data. Every time we use our smartphone or log into our computer, we leave a data trail behind us.

How do we make sense of all that data? Through careful data analysis. By inspecting, transforming and modeling that data, data analysts are able to discover useful information that uncovers trends, improves business practices, and helps companies make more profitable decisions.

Given the profitable insights hidden in countless streams of data, data analysts are a hot commodity in today’s job market. And though ‘data analysts’ are one kind of career path that analyzes data, there are actually many more relevant data analysis jobs than you might initially expect.

Whether you’re looking to leverage a data analytics boot camp to freshen up your skills, or looking for a brand new data analyst career, here are five jobs that require some heavyweight data digging.

If you are looking to analyze data, being a data analyst might be the job for you. Data analysts develop systems to collect data — and then they take that data and use it to help companies answer questions, make better decisions, and ultimately increase their profits.

As you might imagine, turning complex numbers into plain English is no easy feat. But analyzing the data is only half the battle — translating that data is just as critical if the business is to act upon it.

For that reason, a data analyst requires a keen attention for detail, effective communication skills — especially around explaining technical ideas — and the ability to creatively brainstorm new approaches to analyzing data. Effective data analysts are actually incredibly well-rounded, and it is for that reason that many choose to attend a data analyst boot camp program before starting a data analyst career, or to up skill along the way.

Businesses are in the business of making profits, and every organization runs into problems, along the way. It is a business analyst’s job to facilitate a potential solution.

While a data analyst is typically focused on collecting and analyzing data, a business analyst typically takes it a step further, helping the business decide what to do with that data.

To do that, business analysts must first and foremost do more research into understanding a business’ needs, responsibilities, and opportunities. Though data analysis is a key part of the job — you will often be asked to write requirements and construct specific data models to support their needs — there is typically more high-level strategic thinking in the role of a business analyst than a data analyst. 

The role requires deep communication skills as well. You will have the opportunity to interact with key stakeholders of the business, both to gather information and in communicating solutions.

In many ways, you will serve as a guidance counselor, giving your input on what solutions fit a business’ needs based on the data at hand. Business analysts are not limited to one task, so you may find yourself testing for quality one month, managing and developing projects the next, and validating solutions and defining business cases the month after that.

Much like data analysts, business analysts find great value in up skilling or learning from a data analyst bootcamp programs in order to better equip themselves for their career growth.

Project management is one of the more multi-faceted data analyst jobs on the market because of the wide range of tasks they face. In fact, one of the biggest aspects of being a project manager is defining each project and managing it within your company’s budget. You will also need the ability to analyze trends in the marketplace and find solutions for problems that will inevitably manifest themselves.

While you will not be working alone in this regard, you will also have the responsibility of managing teams to facilitate productivity. Unfortunately, that means that if a certain project goes awry, the product manager typically takes the blame. However, if you are willing to take on the responsibility, Project Managers are usually compensated well and enjoy strong career growth to match.

Digital marketers use data to inform a company’s promotions and marketing campaigns when it launches products or services. Many businesses survive or fail based on the success of their launch, and as a digital marketer, you will play an integral part in ensuring they succeed.

To be a digital marketer, you will need the ability to collect and analyze data so you can target your promotions appropriately, discover which promotions are working and which ones aren’t, and discern how to update those campaigns most effectively.

As with other data analyst careers, digital marketers require a great deal of people skills. You need the ability to connect with others, think objectively, and sell stakeholders on effective campaigns. Information and data can change quickly, and you must also be able to adapt to the rapid pace at which the campaigns progress.

While the skills required for a data analyst career and a data scientist overlap, there is a significant distinction between the two. A data analyst typically collects data and analyzes it to find trends that may be important for an organization. A data scientist, on the other hand, builds new models and processes to better equip data analysts to do their jobs well.

As a data scientist, you will help companies interpret data, solve complex problems and uncover insight from copious amounts of data in order to help meet their goals. The core requirements of this career are no different than the careers listed above, but be advised that proficient data scientists typically have a diversified educational background. Data scientists typically have all of the skills that data analysts have, but with particularly strong foundations in the fields of math, analytics, and computer science. Like those in other data analysis careers, learning these skills or freshening them up in a data analytics boot camp program is often a good idea.

The field of data analysis is diverse and growing fast. The requirements may be copious, but so is your potential once you find your niche.

Visit the UofT SCS Data Analytics Boot Camp to discover how you can leverage data in your current role, or begin the transition into an exciting new career. Explore our online or in-class options.