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
Junior Data Analyst / Entry-Level Reporting Specialist
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Basic SQL querying, Excel proficiency, understanding of business metrics, attention to detail in reporting.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers accurate reports on time.
- Can independently write simple SQL queries.
- Proactively identifies and flags data discrepancies.
- Clearly communicates data findings to immediate team.
- 2
Customer Support Analyst with a Data Focus
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- SQL for customer data, understanding of customer journeys, troubleshooting customer-reported data issues, strong communication skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Can extract specific customer data to resolve support tickets.
- Identifies patterns in customer data issues.
- Comfortable using BI tools to investigate customer behaviour.
- Proposes solutions to recurring data-related customer problems.
- 3
Business Analyst with a Technical Lean
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Requirements gathering, process mapping, basic data modelling, SQL for reporting needs, understanding of business operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Translates business needs into data requirements.
- Can perform basic data validation for business processes.
- Uses data to support business recommendations.
- Comfortable working with technical and non-technical teams.