Due to the industries huge success, a job in Data is almost synonymous with excellent career opportunities. It is no surprise that many people are looking to enter this growing sector. Data is an exciting industry to be part of; it is fast-paced and challenging, but perfect for those who think outside of the box and are focused on problem solving.
After starting your career in Data, you could work with a number of different teams who may require your skills and knowledge to help them improve their Data processes as a business. Companies are prepared to pay extremely competitive salaries for Data Analysts as these roles are in high demand across all fields, putting newcomers in a great position.
If this sparks an interest in you, and you would like to find out more information on how to flourish in a new tech role – read our guidance below. We will take you through the different routeways you can take to kickstart your career in this promising sector.
DATA APPRENTICESHIP
An apprenticeship is a combination of both practical work experience and educational training. You will be earning a wage as an employee, learning from experienced staff, whilst working towards gaining an industry recognised qualification. This is a fantastic way for all different types of people to launch their Data career.
Going down the apprenticeship route is a great option for people going into a specific field, like Data, as within the workplace you will build the specialist skills that employers need the most.
A hugely attractive feature of apprenticeships are that, unlike university, they are fully funded by the government and your employer. Not only do you not have to pay to complete one – you actually get paid for doing one! Meaning you have no need to worry about built up tuition fees and student debt.
At Baltic we are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible technical training possible, allowing you to develop the knowledge needed to thrive in a digital role. With the support of the fantastic employers we work with, you will gain real industry experience and invaluable practical skills which will put you well on your way to a successful career in Data.
Currently we offer a Level 3 apprenticeship in Data Analysis, with the opportunity to progress onto our Level 4 programme after. These courses establish the knowledge, skills and behaviors required of a Data professional, find out more.
DEGREE IN DATA
An apprenticeship might not be the best option for people that want to move away to study, or for people not ready to commit to working full-time. If you prefer a more traditional classroom environment, going to university could potentially suit you better!
There are many types of Data courses that you can study at universities across the UK. These courses include: Data Science, Business Analytics, Information and Data Science (MIS), Information Management, or Data Analytics.
When deciding on a University course make sure to really think it through and weigh out your pros and cons. Unlike an apprenticeship, studying at a university in England can cost up to £9,250 per year depending on what course you enrol onto.
On the bright side, you don’t have to choose between either taking part in an apprenticeship or completing a degree!
Many of our current Data Analysis apprentices are graduates looking to start their career journey, and our apprenticeships offer a fantastic entry level route into the field. On the other hand, your learner journey doesn’t have to stop with an apprenticeship. Many apprentices choose to go on to study Data at degree level as part of their professional development.
ONLINE DATA COURSES
Taking part in an apprenticeship and/or attending university is a big commitment, you are committing yourself to a minimum of twelve months in full time education. This isn’t a manageable option for everyone.
To find out if Data is the most suitable routeway for you, you can complete online courses in this sector before making any big decisions. This is a great way to work out whether you’re a future Data specialist without getting yourself caught up in any massive commitments!
Here are a few we recommend:
- CodeCademy is a free online learning platform with high quality courses focusing on coding, created to teach 12 different programming languages.
- Treehouse offers a “Beginning Data Analysis†course which covers all the fundamentals you’ll need for data analysis, including Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel.
- On LinkedIn Learning you can access a free month of their “Become a Data Analyst†course which helps you develop the technical skills for data analyst career paths.
NEXT STEPS: APPLY FOR A DATA APPRENTICESHIP
If you have decided that an apprenticeship sounds like the perfect way to launch your career in Data, we have employers across the country looking to recruit their next Data professional.
For more information, check out our latest vacancies.
If you’re still undecided whether completing an apprenticeship in Data is the right pathway for you, read more into our Data Analysis programme.