.png?sfvrsn=64de123d_2 "5 Jobs You Can Get with CompTIA Data+ (1)")
Organizations have been collecting data for years. Everything from names, photos, contact information, behavior patterns and activities, personal settings and much more is fair game these days. But having possession of this data and knowing how to effectively leverage it to improve business are two vastly different things. That’s why organizations are increasingly starting to hire data professionals.
The ability to analyze data is at the heart of many of our emerging technologies. As the importance of data analytics grows, more job roles are required to set context and better communicate vital business intelligence.
If you're looking to break into a data role, take a look at the CompTIA Data+ training solutions and certification. CompTIA Data+ is a new, early-career certification for professionals tasked with developing and promoting data-driven business decision-making. Candidates that differentiate themselves with CompTIA Data+ will be qualified for a variety of data analytics jobs.
Let’s take a closer look at how data professionals who have CompTIA Data+ are qualified for the following jobs:
What Skills Does CompTIA Data+ Cover?
Before we dive into each of these job roles, let’s look at how CompTIA Data+ prepares you for these positions. Compared to other professional certifications, CompTIA Data+ is the only entry-level, vendor-neutral, hands-on analytics certification on the market.
CompTIA exams are developed through an intensive process where professionals come together and discuss what knowledge, skills and abilities are required to perform certain job roles. That means you can be sure the topics covered by CompTIA Data+ match the knowledge, skills and abilities data professionals need today.
To be successful in any of the above listed data job roles, an individual should be able to do the following:
- Mine data
- Manipulate data
- Visualize and report data
- Apply basic statistical methods
- Analyze complex data sets while adhering to governance and quality standards throughout the entire data life cycle
It’s no surprise that these are the exact skills covered by CompTIA Data+. (Check out the exam objectives for yourself – download them for free!) Companies are looking to hire qualified professionals who can better analyze and interpret data and communicate those insights to inform business decisions.
5 Jobs You Could Get with CompTIA Data+
If you earn CompTIA Data+, you may be interested in one of the following in-demand data jobs.
1. Data Analyst
If you like numbers and digging deep into data sets but also possess a need to be creative and satisfy your curiosity, then a role as a data analyst may be a good next step for you.
A data analyst works closely with an organization’s data to assist in making better business decisions and provide insights that support decision-making efforts in the following ways:
- Collects, analyzes and reports on data through creating reports, dashboards and other visualizations associated with customers, business processes or market economics
- Develops and implements databases and data collection systems
- Acquires data from primary and secondary sources
- Cleans and validates data
- Designs data models
- Implements new data analytics methodologies
CompTIA Data+ shows potential employers that you can handle these tasks and add value to their organization.
For example, under the domain of Data Analysis on the CompTIA Data+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to summarize types of analysis and key analysis techniques (3.3). This includes understanding the process to determine the type of analysis along with several distinct types of analysis.
According to Burning Glass Technologies, demand for data analysts will increase by 11.8% over the next decade. Furthermore, median salaries for data analysts range from $62,000 for those with 0 to 2 years of experience to $95,400 for those with 9 or more years of experience.
Read more about becoming a data analyst.
2. Reporting Analyst
If you have an excellent eye for detail along with strong organizational and multitasking abilities and you thrive under pressure, then a job as a reporting analyst may be a good fit for you.
A reporting analyst analyzes metrics, designs reports and communicates their findings and suggestions to leadership in the following ways:
- Designs business analysis and data recording systems
- Maintains databases and performs necessary updates
- Analyzes and collects data for various types of reports
- Creates reports that provide insights that align with key business points
- Communicates the results to management
- Monitors data to identify changes and trends
CompTIA Data+ not only proves you can collect and analyze data, but it shows employers you can also translate your findings into easy-to-understand reports.
For example, under the domain of Visualization on the CompTIA Data+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to compare and contrast types of reports (4.5). This includes understanding static, dynamic, ad-hoc, self-service, tactical and recurring reports.
The compensation and job outlook for this position is similar to that of a data analyst. According to Burning Glass Technologies, reporting analysts can earn a median annual wage of $72,291.
3. Business Intelligence Analyst
Companies need people who are trained to analyze, translate and communicate findings from mountains of data. If you have the passion and the skill set, a position as a business intelligence analyst might be for you.
A business intelligence analyst puts the data collected by an organization to effective use and provides insights that support decision-making efforts in the following ways:
- Collects data that is consistent with company goals
- Maintains and updates business intelligence tools and databases
- Programs tools and data models to help visualize and monitor data
- Analyzes data such as revenue, sales, market information or customer engagement metrics
- Interprets the data
- Communicates findings that suggest ways to grow and improve the business
CompTIA Data+ validates your ability to understand how collecting and translating specific data can improve specific business processes.
For example, under the domain of Visualization on the CompTIA Data+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to use appropriate methods for dashboard development (4.3). This includes understanding dashboard considerations, the development process and delivery considerations.
The median annual wage for business intelligence analysts is $87,660, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also predicts an increase of 14% from 2020 to 2030 for these types of positions, with 907,600 net new jobs expected during that 10-year period.
Read more about becoming a business intelligence analyst.
4. Marketing Analyst
If you enjoy working with numbers and using data to inform decisions about customer acquisition, engagement and conversion, then a job as a marketing analyst could be your next move.
A marketing analyst researches and accumulates data to help an organization market its products or services in the following ways:
- Observes and predicts future trends in marketing and sales
- Analyzes data using statistical software
- Assembles reports and presents the results to clients and management
- Gathers overall data on consumers, competitors and market conditions
- Evaluates different methods for data collection
- Assesses the effectiveness of marketing strategies
CompTIA Data+ proves to employers that you know how to collect the right kind of data – and what to do with it – to improve marketing efforts and ultimately the bottom line.
For example, under the domain of Data Mining on the CompTIA Data+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to explain common techniques for data manipulation and query optimization (2.4). This includes understanding techniques like filtering, sorting, date functions, logical functions, aggregate functions and system functions; along with parametrization, indexing and subsets – to name a few.
The median annual salary for a marketing analyst is $65,810, according to the BLS. The BLS projects an increase of 22% for marketing analysts, with 163,600 net new jobs expected from 2020 to 2030.
Read more about becoming a marketing analyst.
5. Operations Analyst
If you enjoy working with data collection and using statistical methods to make decisions about future actions, a position as an operations analyst could be your next move.
An operations analyst researches and identifies problems to be solved or improved to help an organization in the following ways:
- Recognizes and solves problems in business logistics, health care or other fields
- Explains findings and recommendations using written memos, reports and other documentation
- Gathers and organizes information from a variety of sources, like computer databases or customer feedback
- Utilizes statistical analysis, simulations, predictive modeling or other methods to analyze information and develop practical solutions
- Helps advise managers and other decision-makers on the effects of various courses of action to take to address certain problems
CompTIA Data+ proves to employers that you have the skills to transform business requirements in support of data-driven decisions.
For example, under the domain of Data Governance, Quality and Controls on the CompTIA Data+ exam objectives, candidates must be able to summarize important data governance concepts (5.1). This includes accessing and understanding security, storage environment, use, entity relationship and jurisdiction requirements, as well as knowing how to classify data and report data breaches.
The median annual salary for an operations analyst is $86,200, according to the BLS. The BLS projects an increase of 25% for operations analysts, with 25,600 net new jobs expected from 2020 to 2030.
Read more about becoming an operations analyst.
As the importance of data analytics grows, more job roles are required to set context and better communicate vital business intelligence. Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data can drive priorities and lead business decision-making. CompTIA Data+ validates you have the skills required to facilitate these decisions.
CompTIA Data+ ensures data professionals are qualified to mine data more effectively, analyze with rigor, avoid confounding results and produce reports that persuade – not confuse. Make yourself a more valuable team member. Proof of data literacy means you’re more employable and more upwardly mobile.
Learn the skills you need with CompTIA CertMaster Learn. Sign up today for a free trial!
