ROADMAP TO BECOMING A

DATA ANALYST
Your cheat sheet to becoming the ultimate data analyst

Younes Fadil
Barmij Academy

March 23, 2024

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 ROADMAP TO BECOMING A DATA ANALYST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The road to data analyst .................................................................................................................... 4

Foundational Education ................................................................................................................. 4

Building Technical Skills ................................................................................................................ 9
Gaining Practical Experience ....................................................................................................... 11

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THE ROAD TO DATA ANALYST

T he The journey to becoming a data analyst can be exciting! Here is a breakdown of the
steps to get started in a career as a Data Analyst.

Foundational Education
a. Formal Education (Optional): A bachelor's degree in fields like statistics, mathematics,
computer science, or economics can provide a strong base.

Why formal education is important?

While a formal education is not mandatory to become a data analyst, a bachelor's

degree in certain fields can give you a head start in this in-demand career. Here is
why these specific degrees are beneficial:

 Statistics and Mathematics: These fields provide a rock-solid foundation in

the core concepts used in data analysis. You will gain strong skills in areas like
probability, hypothesis testing, data modeling, and experimental design. This
knowledge is essential for understanding and interpreting data effectively.
 Computer Science: A computer science degree equips you with
programming languages and software development skills that are crucial for
data analysis. You will learn how to manipulate data, build data pipelines,
and automate tasks. This will make you a more efficient and productive data
analyst.
 Economics: An economics degree exposes you to data analysis methods used
in the business world. You will gain an understanding of econometrics,
forecasting techniques, and how to analyze market trends. This knowledge
can be valuable if you are interested in a data analyst role in finance,
marketing, or consulting.

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Here is a deeper dive into the advantages a formal education can provide:

 Structured Learning: A degree program offers a well-rounded curriculum

that covers the essential aspects of data analysis. You will learn from
experienced professors and have access to academic resources like libraries
and labs.
 Hands-on Experience: Many degree programs incorporate projects and labs
into their curriculum. This allows you to gain practical experience working
with real-world data sets and applying your knowledge to solve problems.
 Networking Opportunities: Being part of a university program allows you to
connect with professors, classmates, and alumni who can be valuable
resources throughout your career.

b. Self-Learning Resources: If you do not have a degree, there are many online courses,
bootcamps, and tutorials available to learn the essentials of data analysis. Let us
explore some of the available resources that you can learn from.

 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Platforms like Coursera, edX, and
Udacity offer a wide range of data analysis courses, from beginner to advanced
levels. Many are free or have a low monthly subscription fee, making them a
budget-friendly option. The benefit of MOOCs is their structured learning
approach with video lectures, quizzes, and sometimes even projects.
 Company Websites: Many tech companies, like Google and IBM, offer free online
courses and tutorials on data analysis topics. These can be a great way to learn
directly from industry experts and gain insights into the tools and technologies
used by leading companies.

What free resources are available from these companies?

Google:

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: This comprehensive

program on Coursera provides job-ready skills in data analytics. It covers
topics like data collection, data wrangling, data analysis with SQL, data
visualization with Tableau, and more. While not entirely free, it offers a 7-day
free trial to explore the course content.
(https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-data-analytics)
• Google Cloud Training: Google Cloud offers free online training on various
cloud technologies, including some relevant to data analysis. For instance,

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their "BigQuery for Beginners" course introduces you to Google's data

warehouse and its functionalities for data analysis.
(https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/introduction)

IBM:

• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate: This Coursera program from IBM
covers the fundamentals of data science, including Python programming, data
analysis with libraries like pandas and NumPy, and machine learning
concepts. It provides a solid foundation for data analysis careers. Similar to
the Google program, it offers a 7-day free trial.
(https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-data-science)
• IBM SkillsBuild: This platform offers various free, bite-sized courses on data
science and analytics topics. For example, their "Introduction to Data Analysis
with Python" course provides a basic introduction to using Python for data
analysis tasks. (https://skillsbuild.org/learners)

Microsoft:

• Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Learn offers various learning paths and modules
focused on data analysis using their Azure cloud platform. Their "Analyze
Data with Azure Data Explorer" path introduces a powerful tool for exploring
and analyzing large datasets. Microsoft Learn courses are entirely free to
access. (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/data-analytics-
microsoft/)

 Independent Platforms: Websites like DataCamp and Kaggle Learn provide

interactive courses and practice problems specifically designed for learning data
analysis with Python and R. These platforms often have gamified elements and
progress tracking to keep you motivated. Let’s explore what these platforms
provide:

DataCamp:

• Platform Focus: DataCamp offers a structured learning path with

interactive courses and practice problems designed for beginners to
advanced data analysts. They primarily focus on Python and R
programming languages commonly used in data science.

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• Course Structure: DataCamp breaks down learning into "tracks" that cover
specific areas like data manipulation with pandas, data visualization with
libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn, or machine learning fundamentals.
Courses within these tracks consist of video lectures, coding exercises, and
quizzes to solidify your understanding.
• Gamification and Motivation: DataCamp incorporates gamified elements
like points, badges, and leaderboards to keep you engaged. You can
compete with friends or challenge yourself to complete learning paths
within a timeframe.
• Subscription Model: DataCamp offers a limited number of free courses
and exercises. To access their full course library and practice problems, you
will need a paid subscription.

Here is an example of a DataCamp course:

• "Python for Data Science" (https://www.datacamp.com/courses/intro-

to-python-for-data-science) This beginner-friendly course introduces
you to Python programming, data manipulation with pandas libraries,
and data visualization with Matplotlib.

Kaggle Learn:

• Platform Focus: Kaggle Learn complements the Kaggle competition

platform by offering free, short courses on data analysis concepts and
tools. These courses are designed to be more concise and to the point,
making them ideal for quick skill acquisition.
• Course Structure: Kaggle Learn courses typically involve video lectures,
coding exercises, and quizzes. The platform emphasizes practical
application, with many courses focusing on using specific libraries and
tools relevant to data analysis competitions hosted on Kaggle.
• Community Focus: Kaggle Learn leverages the strength of the Kaggle
community. Many courses are created and maintained by data scientists
and analysts, offering valuable insights from industry professionals.
• Completely Free: All courses and learning materials on Kaggle Learn are
entirely free to access, making it a budget-friendly option for self-learners.

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Here is an example of a Kaggle Learn course:

• "Intro to SQL Queries" (https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-sql)

This beginner course teaches you the fundamentals of querying
databases using SQL, a crucial skill for data analysis tasks.

Choosing the Right Platform:

Both DataCamp and Kaggle Learn offer valuable resources, but the ideal
platform for you depends on your learning style and goals:

• Structured Learning Path: If you prefer a well-defined curriculum with

a step-by-step approach, DataCamp might be a better fit.
• Quick Skill Acquisition: If you are looking for focused courses on
specific tools or concepts, Kaggle Learn could be your go-to platform.
• Gamification and Motivation: If you thrive on competition and
leaderboards to stay engaged, DataCamp might appeal to you more.
• Completely Free Option: If budget is a concern, Kaggle Learn's free
courses are a great starting point.

Remember, you can also explore both platforms and utilize the resources
that best suit your learning needs!

 Books and Articles:

• Books: There is a wealth of books available on data analysis, catering to

different experience levels. Look for titles that cover foundational skills like
statistics, Python for data analysis, and SQL. Books provide in-depth
explanations and can be a valuable reference throughout your learning
journey.

Examples of books:

"Python for Data Analysis" by Wes McKinney 

(https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-for-data/9781491957653/)

"Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data" by Charles Wheelan 
https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Statistics-Stripping-Dread-
Data/dp/0393071952

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"Data Science for Business" by Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett 

(https://www.amazon.com/Data-Science-Business-Data-Analytic-Thinking-
ebook/dp/B00E6EQ3X4)

• Websites and Blogs: Websites like Towards Data Science and Analytics
Vidhya publish high-quality articles on data analysis trends, techniques, and
tools. These can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements
and learn from experienced practitioners.
Examples of blogs & websites worth checking:
"Towards Data Science" (https://towardsdatascience.com/)
"KDnuggets" (https://www.kdnuggets.com/)

Additional Tips for Self-Learners:

• Set realistic goals and timelines: Self-learning requires discipline. Break

down your learning goals into smaller steps and create a study schedule to
stay on track.
• Find a learning community: Connect with other aspiring data analysts online
or in your local area. Sharing your learning journey and challenges with
others can be motivating and help you learn from each other's experiences.
• Focus on building a portfolio: Don't just learn, apply your skills! Work on
personal projects using the datasets you find on Kaggle or choose your own
area of interest. Showcase your projects on a platform like GitHub to
demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers.

Remember, self-learning is a journey. It takes dedication and perseverance, but

with the right resources and approach, you can develop the skills and
knowledge needed to become a successful data analyst.

Building Technical Skills

• Programming Languages: Python (especially popular for data science) and R are
commonly used for data manipulation and analysis.
• SQL:
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a fundamental skill for any aspiring data
analyst. It allows you to communicate with relational databases, which store and
organize vast amounts of data. Here is a deep dive into SQL, along with some free
resources to get you started:

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Why Learn SQL?

o Essential for Data Access: Most data used in data analysis comes from databases.
SQL provides the key to unlock this data, allowing you to extract specific
information for analysis.
o Querying and Filtering: With SQL, you can write queries to retrieve specific data
subsets based on your needs. Imagine a giant warehouse full of information; SQL
lets you search for and retrieve only the precise boxes you need.
o Joining and Aggregating Data: Databases often contain information spread across
different tables. SQL allows you to join these tables based on common fields and
perform aggregations like calculating sums, averages, or counts.
o Relatively Easy to Learn: SQL is a beginner-friendly language with a clear syntax.
While there is always more to learn, you can grasp the core concepts and start
querying databases relatively quickly.

Free Resources to Learn SQL:

There are numerous fantastic free resources available to learn SQL. Here are a few
highly-rated options:

o Khan Academy: Intro to SQL: Querying and Managing Data:

(https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/sql)
o SQLBolt: (https://sqlbolt.com/)
o Codecademy: Learn SQL: (https://www.codecademy.com/catalog/language/sql)
o w3schools SQL Tutorial: (https://www.w3schools.com/sql/)
o SQLZoo: (https://mos.sqlzoo.net/)

• Data Visualization Tools:

Data visualization is a crucial aspect of data analysis, transforming raw numbers and
statistics into easily understandable visuals. Here's a deeper dive into some popular
data visualization tools you can explore:

Tableau:

o Strengths: Tableau is a powerful and user-friendly tool known for its drag-and-
drop interface. It allows you to create a wide variety of charts and graphs, from
basic bar charts to complex interactive dashboards. Tableau excels at handling
large datasets and offers features for data blending and storytelling.
o Learning Resources: Tableau offers a wealth of learning resources, including free
video tutorials, documentation, and online courses. They also have a vibrant user

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community where you can ask questions and get help. Here's a link to their
learning portal: https://www.tableau.com/learn
o Subscription Model: Tableau primarily operates on a paid subscription model,
with different tiers catering to individual and enterprise needs. However, they do
offer a free trial to explore the platform's functionalities.

Power BI:

o Strengths: Power BI is a business intelligence tool from Microsoft that integrates

seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Excel. It provides a robust set of
features for data visualization, report generation, and data sharing within
organizations. Power BI is particularly well-suited for creating interactive
dashboards that can be embedded in websites or applications.
o Learning Resources: Microsoft offers comprehensive learning resources for
Power BI, including video tutorials, documentation, and online courses. You can
find them here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/fundamentals/
o Subscription Model: Power BI offers both free and paid tiers. The free version
has limitations on data storage and collaboration features, while the paid versions
cater to enterprise needs.

Other Data Visualization Tools:

While Tableau and Power BI are popular choices, there are many other data
visualization tools available, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Here are a few to
consider:

o Google Data Studio: A free tool from Google that's easy to use and integrates
well with other Google products like Sheets.
o Matplotlib (Python library): A powerful and free Python library for creating
static visualizations. Great for customization but requires some programming
knowledge.
o Seaborn (Python library): A built-on top of Matplotlib, offering a high-level
interface for creating statistical graphics in Python.

Gaining Practical Experience

Personal Projects: Personal data analysis projects are an excellent way to solidify
your learning, explore your interests, and showcase your abilities to potential
employers. Here is a breakdown of how to approach personal projects:

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Finding Datasets:

• Online Repositories: Numerous websites offer free and publicly available

datasets on various topics. Here are some popular options:
o Kaggle: A treasure trove for data enthusiasts, Kaggle provides
datasets across different domains like finance, healthcare, and social
media. Many datasets come with competitions that can further
challenge your skills. (https://www.kaggle.com/datasets)
o UCI Machine Learning Repository: This repository from the
University of California, Irvine, offers a broad range of datasets for
various machine learning tasks.
(https://archive.ics.uci.edu/ml/index.php)
o Data.gov: This US government website provides open data from
various government agencies, covering diverse topics like
economics, demographics, and environment. (https://data.gov/)
• Personal Data: Consider using your own data! Maybe you can track your
fitness data with a wearable or website and analyze trends. You could
scrape publicly available data from social media platforms (adhering to
their terms of service) to analyze user behavior or sentiment.

Choosing a Project Idea:

• Align with your Interests: Pick a topic that genuinely interests you. This will
make the project more engaging and keep you motivated. For instance, if you
are passionate about sports, you could analyze sports statistics or player
performance data.
• Start Small & Gradually Increase Complexity: Begin with a project that uses
a manageable dataset and focuses on a specific question. As you gain
experience, tackle progressively more complex problems with larger datasets.
• Consider Project Types: Here are some project ideas to spark your creativity:
o Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA): Analyze a dataset to understand its
structure, identify patterns, and summarize key characteristics.
Visualize the data to uncover relationships and trends.
o Predictive Modeling: Build a model to predict future outcomes based
on historical data. For example, you could predict housing prices or
customer churn (customer defection).
o Classification Problems: Classify data points into different categories.
This could involve analyzing customer sentiment in social media posts
or categorizing emails as spam or legitimate.

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o Data Cleaning and Wrangling: Real-world data often has

inconsistencies or missing values. Develop skills to clean and prepare
the data for analysis.

Project Development Stages:

• Define Your Question: Start by clearly defining the question you want your
project to answer. What insights do you hope to gain from the data?
• Data Acquisition & Cleaning: Once you have a dataset, clean and prepare it
for analysis. This might involve removing duplicates, handling missing
values, and formatting the data consistently.
• Exploratory Data Analysis: Get familiar with the data by performing EDA.
Visualize the data to understand its distribution, identify patterns, and
uncover relationships between variables.
• Modeling & Analysis: Depending on your project type, you might build a
predictive model or perform more advanced analysis techniques.
• Visualization & Communication: Create compelling data visualizations to
communicate your findings effectively. Tell a story with your data!
• Reflection & Documentation: Document your project steps, challenges
encountered, and the insights you gained. Reflect on what you learned and
how you could improve your approach in future projects.

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