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Data engineers use percentages, proportions, and ratios to transform raw data into meaningful patterns. Find out more about becoming a Data Engineer and listen to resident Joy’s journey.  

What do Data Engineers do? 

Working with large data sets to uncover crucial information is part of a data analyst's job description. They gather and arrange the information before using special tools to analyse it. They can find insightful patterns and trends in the data, enabling businesses to make wise decisions. To clearly present the facts and communicate their conclusions, they provide visual reports. 

Experience the journey of a Data Engineer in this interview with Islington resident Joy Kalombo and explore further career information below. 

Soft skills:  

  • Problem solving  
  • Critical thinking  
  • Attention to detail 
  • Time management  
  • Patience   
  • Clear communication and teamwork  

Hard skills:  

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is fundamental for data manipulation, basic analysis, and visualisation 
  • Basic understanding of mathematical concepts used in data analysis, such as percentages, proportions, and ratios. 
  • Basic programming skills in Python or R for data analysis tasks. 
  • Understanding of SQL (Structured Query Language) for querying and managing databases is crucial for extracting relevant data.
  • Familiarity with basic statistical concepts like mean, median, standard deviation, and correlation. 

Typical progression pathway  

The career path of a data analyst typically begins with entry-level positions, where they gain practical experience and assist senior analysts. As they progress, they become data analysts, handling larger datasets and contributing to decision-making.

With more experience, they can advance to senior or lead roles, taking on more complex projects and providing guidance. Some data analysts may choose to specialise further as data scientists, applying advanced techniques and developing predictive analytics solutions. 

Routes into a career into Data Engineering 

Via a degree in:  

  • Computer Science 
  • Economics 
  • Mathematics or statistics 
  • IT 
  • Industrial Engineering or Systems Engineering  
  • Physics 

Via a bootcamp or course such as: 

  • Coursera data analytics courses 
  • General Assembly training 
  • Skills Bootcamp in Data Analytics and Visualisation 
  • Just IT Data Bootcamp
  • Sparta Global paid training 

Salary expectations 

Entry-level salaries range between £23,000 and £25,000. According to Glassdoor the average base pay for a Data Analyst is £39,548 per year. Experienced, high-level and consulting jobs can command £60,000 or more.   

Top industries to explore: 

  • Finance 
  • Technology 
  • Retail 
  • Healthcare 
  • Manufacturing