Responsibility and Skills Requirements for Entry Level Analytics Professionals

As companies continue to incorporate analytics into all aspects of their business, there is a growing demand for analytics professionals with the right mix of skills and experiences. This study examines the responsibilities and skill requirements for entry level analytics professionals by analyzing the job ads posted on three major job sites during a six-month period. The author's results show that companies expect entry level analytics professionals to work with a team and to contribute in early stages of analytics work. In terms of technical capabilities, companies stress the general abilities to work with data, including the use of database and spreadsheet tools for organizing, analyzing, and reporting data. Surprisingly, data mining, optimization, and other advanced analytical methods are not often listed as desired skills for entry level positions. The study can help universities and institutions in curriculum design as well as in working with the industry to define and guide the development of skill requirements.