The ever-increasing importance of data for businesses has led to the growth of business intelligence (BI). Companies with a strong BI strategy and workforce can perform analyses that help them make data-driven business decisions quickly.

In this guide, we talk about a business intelligence analyst’s job responsibilities and the various paths you can take to become a business intelligence analyst.

BI analysts use data to increase productivity and profits for companies. BI analysts comb through large amounts of data and produce reports that identify meaningful trends. These trends are then used to generate actionable insights, which help an organization make profitable decisions.

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BI analysts are expected to have a range of skills in data processing, analysis, visualization, and more. They are also expected to be aware of the most popular technologies used to handle and process data efficiently, such as big data, distributed computing, cloud computing, and more.

More often than not, BI analysts are also tasked to interact with employees and update them on the various technological changes that occur in a company. They must be good enough at communication and leadership to explain decisions and changes effectively.

Since the role of a BI analyst is crucial to the functioning of a business, they need to be well educated and highly qualified in their field. Luckily, there are many viable ways to attain the education necessary to add value to a company.

One of the most common degrees among BI analysts is a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a business-related field. Below are a couple of education paths that you can follow to become a BI analyst.

Bachelor’s degrees are the best way to begin your journey to becoming a BI analyst. Most companies expect prospective employees to have a bachelor’s degree, even for entry-level jobs. A bachelor’s degree builds a foundation of data and business skills.

You should also consider a master’s degree in a relevant field to improve your skills. Although this is not mandatory, it strengthens your knowledge.

Bootcamps are a great way to compensate for the lack of a degree. But if you really want to impress a hiring manager, you can also couple your degree with a boot camp.

Bootcamps are available in part-time and full-time formats. Some even offer projects to help you learn by example and apply concepts in practical scenarios. In some cases, you might need preparatory classes before starting a boot camp, as they can sometimes move too fast for beginners.

Online courses are an excellent medium for building skills and strengthening job applications. To increase your chances of getting hired as a BI analyst, you can consider taking up courses in data management, data visualization, data modeling, distributed computing, cloud computing, and more.

Becoming a BI analyst takes patience and hard work. Below is a list of steps you can follow that will make becoming a BI analyst easier.

The role of a BI analyst requires you to possess a range of technical and soft skills. Below is a brief list of skills you should add to your toolkit.

According to PayScale, BI analysts receive an average salary of about $69,597. According to Indeed, the more senior BI architects earn an average annual income of $119,706. These figures show that a career in business intelligence has a lot of potential for growth.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of management analysts is projected to increase by 11 percent by 2029. This figure is much higher than the average figure for all careers. With job opportunities on the rise, this career is definitely worth investing your time and resources into.

The BI analyst role is an essential position in any business. To become an entry-level BI analyst, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a business-related field. It’s also a good idea to have at least one certification to demonstrate your skills.

BI analysts handle a business’s data and create reports that can be used to make decisions. For this, they are tasked to collect, process, and visualize data from multiple sources.

Read more about the job description and responsibilities of a BI analyst below.

Certifications can help you strengthen your resume and get ahead in your career. Below are some of the top certifications that you can receive.

Meant for senior-level personnel in the IT industry, the CBIP certification validates that you are up to date with the latest BI technologies and are aware of the best practices in data management and business analytics.

CBIP requires two or more years of full-time experience in computer systems, data handling, resource planning, systems analysis, application development, and programming.

The Microsoft Certified DAA certification validates that you are a subject matter expert. You can plan and create scalable data models, collect and manipulate data, and provide value to businesses using data visualization. This certification is meant for BI professionals who use Power BI to create reports and dashboards for firms, either in the cloud or on-site.

The IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11 certification validates that you can build advanced reports and dashboards using data or files. It further certifies that you are capable of enhancing, customizing, and managing professional reports. Before acquiring this certification, you must first learn JavaScript, SQL, database concepts, and data visualization.

A BI analyst job interview focuses on exploring your expertise in the domain of business and data analytics. Since BI analysts are expected to handle large amounts of data and draw insights from them, be prepared to answer several questions on various data management and visualization tools.

Below is a list of questions that business analysts are asked in a typical interview.

The answer to this question depends on how far you have already come in the process. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, it would take you just four to eight weeks to complete the required training and gain the necessary skills. If you have yet to get your bachelor’s, it will take you more than four years to become a BI analyst.

If you already hold a degree in a field that is not related to business or computer science, you will be required to gain multiple certifications to validate your skills as a BI analyst. These certifications usually take up to six months to complete.

Considering the growth projections through 2029 and the ample opportunities for advancement, this is one of the top professions to consider taking up in 2021. If you haven’t acquired your bachelor’s degree yet, you should work towards becoming a BI analyst.