If you have a tendency to think objectively and you've always been good with subjects like math and statistics, you might consider pursuing a career in data analytics. The field is certainly attractive, with relatively high salaries and a propensity for long-term growth. But is this career path truly a good fit for you?

The Many Roles of Data Analysts

In some ways, it’s a mistake to categorize all data analysts as the same; after all, there are many different ways to look at data and many different career paths available to analysts. However, this is a major selling point to people considering the data analytics profession. 

Whether you want to tackle one specific type of problem or work in one specific type of industry, you'll have a host of options available to you. In this article, we'll be focusing on commonalities across jobs and career paths within the umbrella of data analytics.

Reasons to Consider Data Analytics

These are some of the most interesting reasons why people consider a career path in data analytics:

• Demand and job growth.Demand for data analysts is likely to grow, and quite explosively, over the next decade or two. Already, companies aren't able to fill all the data analytics positions they have available. Data is one of our most important commodities in the modern era, and we need skilled scientific minds to interpret and present the data we gather. In the future, companies are going to have even more data to process and even more complicated questions to ask, so it only makes sense that demand for data analysts is going to grow.
• High pay. Depending on where you live, the starting salary for a data analyst is likely to be quite impressive. And even if you're not satisfied with that entry-level salary, you'll be pleased to know that there are likely salary increases in store for your future. The best data analysts, with more than a decade of experience, can demand an absurd amount of money.
• Leadership opportunities. The career path of a data analyst can ultimately lead you to a leadership position, if that's what you want. You might be able to lead and mentor a full team of newer data analysts, take on a decision-making role within an organization, or even start a business of your own once you've developed your skills sufficiently.
• Job flexibility. Career paths for data analysts can take many different forms. The foundational skills you'll learn at the beginning of your career are going to be indispensable for a wide variety of different jobs and applications. You can choose to develop yourself however you want, exiting undesired roles and pursuing more exciting ones as you see fit.
• Relative accessibility. It's something to think that data analytics is a prohibitively difficult subject to learn, or that only extremely bright minds can comprehend it. But this isn't necessarily true; with focus and discipline, almost anyone can learn the fundamentals of data analytics. It also doesn't take a decade of education to master the subject.
• Industry options. Are you interested in working in marketing? Manufacturing? Novel technologies? As a data analyst, you'll be capable of working in almost any industry. You can choose exactly what you want and change your mind if it doesn't work out.
• Constant challenges and unlimited growth potential. If you like to be challenged, you'll be right at home in a data analyst role. There will always be new problems to solve and new opportunities to grow as a professional. You'll never have to worry about being bored.

Are You the Right Fit for a Data Analytics Career?

So are you a good fit for a career in data analytics?

The best data analysts have the following qualities in common:

• Curiosity. Data analysts are naturally curious. They like to learn more about the world, and they ask critical questions to do it. In your job, you'll likely dive down many different rabbit holes, exploring new questions on a daily basis.
• Objectivity and logic. Qualified people in data analytics also operate with objectivity and logic in mind. They don't make decisions based on gut feelings, nor do they work with ambiguities or subjective interpretations. If you live a very objective, ordered, logical life, you'll probably be a good fit in data analytics.
• Creativity in problem solving. Hearing that, you might assume that all data analysts are black and white thinkers, but this isn't the case. In fact, the best data analysts exercise creativity in their approach to problem solving. Not every question can be solved through brute force, so occasional moments of lateral thinking are indispensable.
• Affinity for math and statistics. If you want to succeed in data analytics, you need at least some affinity for math and statistics. There are many aspects of this rule that extend beyond the realm of math and statistics, but if you struggle with these subjects, you may not be a good fit.
• Comfort in presenting. Data analysts are typically required to present their findings to others. Accordingly, you should feel comfortable with public speaking and presenting.

Not everyone has the interest or the aptitude to become a data analyst. But because this career is so accessible and flexible, it's a reasonable option for a good chunk of the population. If you're on the fence, consider taking a remote class in data analytics to see how you really feel about it.