Is it possible to be a data analyst (DA) with non-tech background?

Disclaimer: This blog is based on my 8-year experience working with data in fast moving environment from unicorns and fast growing startups. It may not be applicable to all businesses.

Content:

1. DA is not a technical role, but a jack of all trades

2. Example of a high performer DA with non-technical intern at Vatico

3. Take away to become data analyst with non-tech ground

1. DA is not a technical role, but a jack of all trades

Through my 8 years careers (including but not limited to Gojek, Foodpanda), I realize data is not really a technical role, but a jack of all trades. You need a bit of business and a bit of tech. Thus one can do well if started with either technical or business ground, Regardless of which background one from, there are 3 key skills that an DA needs to master:

+ Problem Solving: An DA works with one or a few stakeholders. Your stakeholders often bring problem and expect insights, solution. At our company – Vatico, the CEO recently asked data team: Should we resume the cash on the delivery as a payment option? If we resume the cash on delivery payment option, what is the expected incremental of order? What is the expected cost for operation (to handle cash and partner)? Problem solving is a universal skill needed across function: marketing, finance, accounting, operation, data. Before touching any technical part, one needs be good a problem solving framework.

+ Communication: Once scoped and structured the problem, then DA needs to communicate to stakeholders to aligned the problem and expected solution, deliverable. 

+ Technical skill: Data/Insights retrieval (mostly SQL, sheet)

Out of these 3 skills, the most easier to learn is technical skill. This could be SQL or any structure data tool (Excel, Google Sheet). All of these can be picked up via online class, data bootcamp. Last, but most challenging is problem solving. Problem solving needs years of practice and practice. Lucky enough, if one have worked with fast growing or top tier business , you have often been trained intensive in a problem solving. Thus, out of these 3 skill sets, technical skill is relatively easier to pickup.

2. Example of a high performer DA with non-technical intern at Vatico

JX is a third year student from National University of Singapore and interning with Vatico for 3 months at our Danang office. As an Economic student, JX started with limited knowledge of tech. She started first month focusing on familiar herself with our problem solving framework at Vatico, then pickup SQL and then be becoming a high performer in our data team. Read her series for more detail on her experience at Vatico.

3. Take away to become data analyst with non-tech ground

• Focusing on problem solving skill by interning at fast-growing (in terms of revenue, transaction). At fast growing startup, there is a tone of problems
• Pickup SQL: Probably the only technical skill you need
• Improve your communication: How to present your idea, insights

-> Apply DA intern at Vatico: https://vatico.vn/tuyen-dung-data-analyst/