12 | February 2017
Education & Career
The Next Big IT Career: Data Analytics Turns Big Data Into Career Opportunities By d-mars.com News Provider
and capital and equipment management have also historically been data-intensive.
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areer opportunities in technology continue to expand exponentially: the computer and information technology field is expected to grow 12 percent, adding nearly half a million new jobs by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's Occupational Outlook Handbook. What's more, the median wage for people in the field is nearly $50,000 higher than the median for all occupations. If you're considering a career in IT, but aren't sure common jobs like coding or systems maintenance are for you, data analytics is a growth niche that may be worth a look, industry watchers say. In an industry that's booming across all disciplines, anticipated demand for data analysts has inspired leading universities like Western Governors University (WGU) to offer new bachelor's and master's degree programs in the field. What is data analytics? You've probably heard the term "big data" - it's the next big thing in IT. From social media and public records, to mobile phone apps that track spending habits, companies have more sources of consumer information than ever before. The sheer volume of information constitutes "big data," and in the competitive business world, companies can gain an edge by using that information to better market their products to consumers. Data analytics helps companies manage big data and analyze it, so they can better target different audiences, differentiate their messages and product offerings, calibrate their market, and formulate sales and financial strategies. Companies that don't know how to analyze their data risk losing valuable time, money, market share, and customer loyalty.
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Using a variety of tools, techniques and strategies, data analysts help companies interpret their big data and find value in the information they gather every day from myriad sources.
Opportunities analytics Opportunities in data analytics Because big data has become so pervasive, virtually every company needs a data analyst, from retail stores to the service industry, heavy industry to finance. A professional with a data analyst degree might work on marketing strategy, marketing management, financial analysis, digital marketing, SEO management, customer experience management, marketing automation, web analytics management, capital and asset planning, property management, and human resources strategy and analysis. Marketing in particular offers many opportunities for people with degrees in data analytics. Finance,
If you already have an interest in information technology, a career in data analytics may be for you if you also: • Enjoy problem-solving. Data analysis is like solving a complex puzzle you create yourself from the pieces provided by a number of different sources. • Thrive on challenge. • Excel at understanding both macro and micro patterns. • Have good math skills. "Crunching numbers" is very much a part of the data analyst's job, and strong math skills can help you better manage and understand the volumes of data you'll deal with every day. • Have strong communication skills. As a data analyst, you'll need to be able to effectively explain complex concepts and data-derived insights in layman's terms to executives with varying levels of technical knowledge. To pursue a career in data analytics, you'll also need a degree. The field is growing at such a rapid pace that WGU, a non-profit, online competency-based university with more than 77,000 students nationwide, recently launched bachelor's and master's degree programs in data analytics. The bachelor's program prepares students to establish, secure and maintain data environments, and teach them the skills needed to analyze the data to identify patterns, explain phenomena, and predict trends. The master's program teaches experienced professionals more in-depth skills for data management and analysis, including data mining, manipulation, interpretation, programming and communication/visualization. Visit www.wgu.edu to learn more. – BPT
Education & Career
The Corporate Couch: Beyond 2017 By Dawn D. Mitchell Contributing Writer
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his time of year brings new perspectives, opportunities, and hope for new levels of experience and connection. However, transitioning into a new year is also a FORCED adjustment for everyone, which may bring an element of stress. Why? Because change often results in being uncomfortable, making mistakes, and experiencing anxiety related to uncertainty. For example, there is always that awkward period in the beginning of the year where you may keep writing “2016” on various documents instead of “2017.” The routine, familiarity, and comfort with writing 2016 for 365 days straight
causes our thinking to settle there. In fact, in those moments, we actually are not thinking at all, but have placed that written phrase on autopilot. It doesn’t require concentrated focus anymore to pen. It has been programmed into our consciousness. And we are quite comfortable with that, until next year when we uproot our programming, repeat the cycle, and relax…again. This can also be the case with a career transition. As a career coach, I speak with people daily who are making the adjustment to being unemployed, acclimating to a new career, or taking the plunge to start a business or non-profit organization. The adjustment period can run the gamut between brutal and euphoric depending on the situation. Often, it errs on the difficult side because of the depth of attachment to a previous position, company, or lifestyle. The more attached to a particular state of being, the more anxiety and fear tend to show up when change occurs. It takes time, patience, support and loving reinforcement to navigate through the stages of change, loss, and uncertainty. Although change raises emotional hurdles that must be confronted, it also brings huge opportunities for massive positive results.
If you are experiencing anxiety related to a career transition, the following three steps can help you strengthen your resilience and support a new positive perspective: 1. Focus on gratitude – Gratitude combats anxiety. It is not possible to focus on gratitude and fear/anxiety simultaneously, therefore, making a conscious effort to count your blessings can interrupt fearful thinking patterns and bring back balance to your mind. Try writing down five things you are grateful for every day upon waking. Over time, this will begin to help you manifest joy in your life, as there is always something to be grateful for. 2. Know who you are – You are not your job title. Your job is just a ROLE that you play; it doesn’t define who you are. You were created for a purpose. Spend some time connecting within and consulting your Higher Power (the “manufacturer of you”) to receive insight. Read inspirational books, walk in nature, and spend time in silence to support this process. The roles you play in life may change, but your purpose for being does not. Getting to know who you are from the inside out (versus the outside in) snatches your power back from outside influences that may have
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previously given you identity. 3. Get Support – If you are having difficulty adjusting to a job loss or career transition, it may be because you have temporarily forgotten your power, strength, and ability to be resilient. Every one of us forgets sometimes! That is why we need support. Connect with someone who can remind you of all of the obstacles you have successfully overcome, who can see your greatness, help you with a plan, and point you back in the direction of your dreams. Let’s work together to make this the best year yet, but let’s not get comfortable there. Staying open to greater will make each subsequent year even better than the last! Dawn D. Mitchell is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur with a passion for inspiring professionals who have been laid off, wish to make a career change, or who need spiritual support with work-related challenges. As founder of The Corporate Couch, her vision is to give clients the tools needed to create an empowered global workforce. Her new book “Light After a Layoff” has just been released and is available at www.TheCorporateCouch.com.