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
University Graduate (Quantitative Field)
0-1 year post-graduationSkills to master
- Translating academic knowledge into practical business problems, mastering our specific BI tools and data sources, understanding operational terminology.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully completed a final year project involving data analysis.
- Completed an internship in a data or operations role.
- Can demonstrate strong SQL and Excel skills.
- 2
Operations Coordinator / Administrator with Data Focus
1-2 years in a previous operational roleSkills to master
- Formalising existing data analysis skills, learning advanced BI tools, understanding data governance and best practices.
You're ready to move on when
- Already building complex spreadsheets to manage operational data.
- Proactively identifying data issues in their current role.
- Expressed a clear interest in moving into a dedicated data role.
- 3
Data Entry / Reporting Specialist
1-2 years in a dedicated reporting or data entry roleSkills to master
- Moving beyond routine reporting to more analytical tasks, learning how to interpret data, and understanding the business context of the numbers.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers accurate reports on time.
- Has started to automate parts of their current reporting process.
- Asks 'why' about the numbers they're reporting, not just 'what'.