3 Things Data Analytics Boot Camps Don't Teach You - But Should

SQL is great...

but there is more to being an analyst other than SELECT * FROM WHERE. Most career tracks and data boot camps focus on the technical basics, such as spreadsheets, SQL, data visualization - all great places to start. After all, you must learn how to walk before you can run, and having a solid foundation built on the fundamentals is wise.

However, there are other critical skills that you are likely ignoring that could ignite your career in analytics once harnessed. Those skills are:

• Visual design
• Agile methodology
• Version control

Working on these additional skills can improve your career in analytics considerably

Implementing these less commonly talked about skills in the world of analytics is like hitting the turbo-boost button on your career. Do you find yourself frequently getting passed over for promotions? Or perhaps you are attempting to land that first job in data - but the interviewers and recruiters keep ghosting you. Then continue on and learn how these skills are the secret sauce to catapulting your career to new heights.

1) Basics of Visual Design

What is visual design?

Visual design goes beyond mere aesthetics - and aims to improve a products usability through the thoughtful use of imagery, typography, color selection, layouts, and space. If there is one secret being kept: it's knowing the basics of visual design can turn you from an good analyst, into a great one. Why? Because, at it's heart, design is entirely about communication and storytelling.

Why should you learn visual design?

Are your dashboards collecting dust? If you answered yes, then it's time to learn how to craft beautiful products that users actually want to use by leveraging visual design. By brushing up on the basics, you can turn your eyesore of a Tableau dashboard into an interactive piece of business art. The quickest way to increasing your reputation, gaining favor, upping your influence, and making big bucks with your (hopeful) employer is achieved through better design. Why? Because your key stakeholder is likely to be more visual inclined, rather than statistically.

Here's what you truly need to know:

• Basic Principals of Graphic/Visual Design
• UI/UX Design Fundamentals
• Pre-Attentive Attributes
• Gestalt Principals

Now that your work has better aesthetics and functionality, how should you be working?

2) Agile Project Management Methodology

What is Agile Project Management Methodology?

Agile project management methodology is an approach to development that focuses on releasing incremental versions of products by adopting a project life cycle that promotes faster work, is super-adaptable to changing project requirements, and optimizes workflows through short iterations and tasks.

Why should you learn Agile Project Management Methodology?

Agile empowers you with a framework of how to work more efficiently. If your team or project manager hasn't adopted it yet - you should personally. Learn how to

Here's what you truly need to know:

• Core Values & Principals of Agile
• Backlog + Kanban Boards
• Design/Development Sprints
• Daily Standup Meetings

Now that you know how to work, how should you be protecting that work?

3) Utilize Version Control

What is version control?

Version (or source) control is the practice of tracking and managing changes to files.Version control systems are software tools that help teams manage changes to files over time by keeping track of every modification to the file in a special kind of database known as a repository. And the best part? If a mistake is made, a file becomes corrupt or is accidently deleted, a hard drive fails, you need not feel pure panic. Simply rewind the hands of time and compare or download earlier versions of the file.

Why should you learn version control?

Version control is a safeguard to your work. Having access to backups and reversions will minimize disruptions to the team or project. It offers traceability, helping you idenity where a file went wrong or who let it go off rails. Have you ever felt the peace of mind that comes with a complete change history of every file? There is no better sleep.

To git going with version control, here's what you need to know:

• A complete change history of every file
• Traceability
• Backups and Reversions
• Creating Repositories
• Commits
• Branching and Merging

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Ready to excel?

If you find yourself constantly getting passed over for promotion, or never getting calls back from recruiters and interviewers, then its time to stop giving them a reason.

By learning how to make your work beautiful (and useful), never losing your work, and learning how to work, you will become a high-caliber analyst. This is how you land that next job, or receive a huge bump up in pay with that new fancy promotion.

If need helping landing that first job, or keep getting passed on promotion and want to create more visually stunning and beautiful dashboards in Tableau, either for your portfolio or projects at work, let's chat. I offer Tableau tutoring customized to your needs that will help you get where you want to be.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2022.