What if the numbers you see every day could help you make money? Think about the money a shop makes, the scores from a football match, or the results of a school survey. All these numbers tell a story, and someone has to make sense of them.
That person could be a data analyst.
Data analysis is a skill that can help you solve problems, support businesses, and prepare for future job opportunities. The exciting part is that you can start learning it while you are still in school.
Also read: Over 13,000 students participate in ASSEP quiz
What does a data analyst do?
A data analyst collects and studies information to help people make better decisions.
For example, imagine your school wants to know which subjects students find most difficult. A data analyst could study students’ results, look for patterns, and explain which subjects need more attention.
Businesses need data analysts, too. A shop owner may want to know which products customers buy most often. A football coach may want to study players’ performances. A clothing business may want to know which designs people prefer.
By studying the information, a data analyst can help these people understand what is happening and decide what to do next.
Start with the right skills
You do not need to know everything about computers before you begin. Start with the basics.
- Learn mathematics. You will need to understand numbers, percentages, averages, and graphs. These skills help you compare information and spot patterns.
- Learn spreadsheets. Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets help you organise information, carry out calculations and create charts. For example, you could use a spreadsheet to track your weekly spending and see where your money goes.
- Explore coding. As you improve, you can learn SQL, a tool used to find information in databases. You can also learn Python, a programming language used to work with data.
Take your time. You do not have to learn everything in one week.
Learn without spending too much money
You can begin learning data analysis without paying for an expensive course. Websites such as YouTube and Kaggle Learn offer lessons that can help beginners understand the basics.
If you have access to a computer, practise as you learn. If you only have a phone, you can still watch lessons and explore spreadsheet apps, although a computer will make many tasks easier.
Be careful with online adverts promising quick jobs and huge earnings after a few days of training. Building a useful skill takes time, and nobody can guarantee that you will become rich overnight.
Practise with everyday information
The best way to improve is to practise what you learn. Start with something simple. You could record the results of football matches, compare the prices of snacks in different shops or conduct a small survey about students’ favourite school subjects. Put the information into a spreadsheet. Calculate totals, find averages and create charts to show your results.
Next, ask yourself what the numbers mean. Which snack costs the least? Which team scores the most goals? Which subject is the most popular?
These questions will help you learn how to find useful answers from information. Always ask permission before collecting information from other people. Avoid collecting private details or sharing anyone’s personal information without permission.
Build a portfolio of your work
A portfolio is a collection of projects that shows what you can do. It can help you demonstrate your skills when looking for paid work in the future. Your first portfolio can be simple. You could include a chart showing the results of a school survey, a spreadsheet tracking expenses with made-up figures or a report comparing football teams.
For each project, explain what you wanted to find out, how you organised the information and what you discovered. You do not need to wait until you are an expert. Start with small projects and improve them as you learn.
How can you make money?
Once you have learnt the basics and practised enough, you can begin exploring ways to earn from your skills.
- Help small businesses organise their records.
Some small businesses keep sales and expenses in notebooks. You could help an owner organise these records in a spreadsheet, calculate totals and create simple charts. This can make it easier to understand how the business is performing.
- Create charts and reports.
Schools, clubs and community groups sometimes need help presenting survey results or activity records. If you can organise information and explain it clearly, you may be able to offer this service.
- Create useful spreadsheets.
You could help people make sales trackers, stock lists or expense records. These tools can save time and make everyday tasks easier.
- Explore freelance work.
Freelancers work for different clients on specific projects. Some businesses hire data analysts to organise information, prepare reports or study sales figures. As a beginner, start with simple tasks you understand. Build your experience before accepting more difficult projects.
- Work towards an internship or a job.
As your skills improve, you can look for internships and entry-level opportunities. After secondary school, you may also consider studying computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a related course. If you are under 18, check the age rules of any freelance platform and involve a parent or trusted adult when looking for paid work online.
Will you become rich?
Data analysis can become a source of income, but your earnings will depend on your skills, experience, and the work available to you. Learning a few spreadsheet commands will not automatically make you rich. Focus on becoming good at solving problems. The more useful your skills become, the more opportunities you may find. Also, be careful of anyone who promises you a guaranteed job in exchange for money or asks for your passwords or bank details.
Start small, dream big
You do not have to wait until university to explore data analysis. You can begin with mathematics, practise using spreadsheets and work on small projects with information around you.
With time, you may discover that you enjoy studying sports results, helping businesses understand their sales or finding ways to solve problems through numbers.
The world needs people who can turn information into useful answers. You could become one of them. Your first project does not have to be perfect. It just has to get you started.
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