5 Tips for Non-Programmers Learning Analytics
There has been a perception lately that one must be a programmer for someone to make a career in analytics. I think this statement is as absurd as saying that to swim, you must be a fish! We know other creatures out there can swim and aren’t fish. Any analytics company requires people with diverse skill sets
The only important skill you must have is the ability to understand data and draw insights out of it. If you think you are not a programmer, then these are the 5 things that you must focus on:
1. Become good with a GUI tool
If you don’t enjoy programming, then the first thing that you can do is to become good with a GUI tool. There are plenty of such tools out there, you can start with plain old excel and graduate to more sophisticated tools like Tableau and some R GUIs such as R Commander or Rattle.
2. Be a storyteller
Even after a model is created and analysis is prepared by people well versed in programming, someone still has to communicate the results to the stakeholders and stakeholders also don’t understand programming and the mumbo jumbo of statistical models. Someone has to break it down for them. You can be that person!!!
3. You think you have sales skills? Become better with them
No analytics company will be able to execute analytics projects if they don’t have people who can convince prospective clients to do business with them. You think you have a knack for convincing people and also you are someone who understands what analytics is, then you can actually end up making a lot of money, maybe more than a data scientist!!!!!!
4. Be good with statistics
Most programmers are good at hacking things up and coming up with analysis, but 99% of them lack the academic training to understand statistics. If you know your p-values well and can come up with good experimental designs, then you can give any programmer a run for their money any day. It’s very difficult to find good statisticians.
5. Know your domain well
If you are a veteran of a specific domain (Retail, Telecom, Health Care etc), you know how different players in your domain conduct business, then you can be a very valuable resource for any analytics company. No amount of programming knowledge or mastery of statistical techniques can beat the experience gained by being in a specific domain for a long time.
Does Data Science Require Coding?
Data Scientists are in high demand. But what goes into the making of a skilled Data Scientist? Does Data Science require coding? Are there Data Science courses without coding? Is it possible to get the best job in IT without programming?
Let us find out.
Many Data Scientists started jobs without coding experience. The basic requirements for a non-programmer to become a Data Scientist is:
- A grasp of probability and statistics is required
- The passion for playing with numbers
- Capability to recognize and solve business challenges
- The ability to derive information from a given data collection
- Possesses the capability to analyze data from every aspect
- Engage with stakeholders
- Excellent modeling, communication, analytical, and technical skills
Best job in IT without programming skills
IT Project Manager
One of the most coveted without programming IT jobs is that of an IT Project Manager. Technology projects require ample supervision and management. They supervise the project from conception to completion, ensuring that no details are overlooked in the project. IT Project Managers must understand the fundamentals of what is happening on the project’s technical side.
Software Quality Tester
Software quality testers (SQTs) ensure that software products are of good quality before they are deployed to the public. SQTs run scalability, operational, and test runs on software to break it to uncover defects and improve product quality. It is one of the best jobs without coding or requiring prior programming knowledge.
Data Analyst
People who like studying big data sets, recognizing trends, and explaining their results can choose a career as a Data Analyst. Data Analysts must be proficient in Mathematics, Statistics, and Analytics; thus, data mining and processing expertise are essential for this job.
IT Support Specialist
IT Support Specialists is one of the best job in IT without programming and commands a high pay. IT Support Specialists streamline clients’ setup. They also learn how to use new software equipment and resolve any difficulties. This job role combines technological knowledge with customer service. Thus, basic technical expertise is required to analyze and fix project problems.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, you need not be a fish to swim. To be a part of the rapidly expanding analytics industry, you need not be a super programmer.
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