The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Graduate Scheme / Internship
6-12 monthsSkills to master
- Foundational SQL, basic data cleaning in Python, understanding business context, professional communication.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully completed all assigned project tasks with minimal supervision.
- Received positive feedback on accuracy and eagerness to learn.
- Can independently perform basic data extractions and report generation.
- 2
Self-Taught / Bootcamp Graduate
1-2 years (post-bootcamp or self-study)Skills to master
- Building a strong portfolio of personal data projects, networking, interview preparation, translating theoretical knowledge to practical application.
You're ready to move on when
- A well-documented portfolio demonstrating SQL, Python (pandas), and visualisation skills.
- Ability to articulate project challenges and solutions clearly.
- Demonstrated ability to pick up new tools and concepts quickly.
- 3
Career Changer (from a data-adjacent role)
1-3 years (depending on previous role)Skills to master
- Formalising existing data handling skills, learning structured programming, understanding analytics methodologies, adapting to a dedicated data role.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully transitioned from using data informally to a structured analytical approach.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new technical skills required for formal data analysis.
- Can connect prior domain knowledge to analytical challenges effectively.