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 / University Leaver
0-1 yearSkills to master
- Core BI tool proficiency (Tableau/Power BI), basic SQL, data cleaning in Excel/Python, understanding of business metrics.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully built and deployed 3-5 simple dashboards.
- Consistently delivers accurate data pulls and reports.
- Actively participates in team discussions and asks insightful questions.
- 2
Apprenticeship / Bootcamp Graduate
0-1 yearSkills to master
- Practical application of BI tools, data manipulation techniques, project-based learning, understanding of agile workflows.
You're ready to move on when
- Completed all assigned project work to a high standard.
- Demonstrates initiative in learning new tools and techniques.
- Can clearly articulate the business impact of their visualisation projects.
- 3
Junior Analyst (non-BI specific)
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Transitioning from general data analysis to visualisation-specific best practices, deepening SQL and Excel skills, learning a dedicated BI tool.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully transitioned from Excel-only reporting to BI tool-based dashboards.
- Can independently troubleshoot minor data issues.
- Has a clear understanding of data storytelling principles.