r/dataanalyst

Hi everyone,

I’ve been working as a Data Analyst for around 2 years now. My day-to-day work mainly involves writing SQL queries, building and maintaining data pipelines, creating dashboards and visualizations in Power BI and Tableau, and doing some ETL work.

Until recently, I wasn’t too worried about AI chatbots. I saw them mostly as productivity tools: useful for writing queries faster, explaining code, brainstorming dashboard ideas, or helping with documentation.

But with the recent progress in AI agents, tools like OpenClaw, and increasingly autonomous systems that can interact with software, run workflows, analyze data, and potentially automate multi-step tasks, I’m starting to feel like this is a much more serious shift.

So I wanted to ask people here:

- How do you see the future of the Data Analyst role over the next few years? Do you think the role has its days numbered, at least in its current form?

- If so, where do you think someone with a Data Analyst background should try to move their career?

- And if you don’t think the role is going away, what skills do you think will become more important for Data Analysts to stay relevant?

I’ll be honest: I’m genuinely concerned about this. My career as a Data Analyst has only just started, and I already feel like it could be under threat. I don’t mean in two weeks, but maybe in two years if these tools keep improving at the current pace.

I’d really appreciate hearing how others are thinking about this

Hy I am a fresher looking for opportunities. I have been continuously applying for internships and jobs, but there is no response. I can build ETL pipelines, data clean, do visualization, and build ML models. Please suggest project ideas for me.

I already have a good amount of study material, classes and resources. I’m happy to share everything I’ve collected. I’ve been finding it hard to concentrate while studying alone, so I’m looking for someone who wants to study together consistently and keep each other accountable.

Currently learning things like SQL, Python, and data analysis concepts. We don’t necessarily have to be at the same level.

We can do silent study sessions, share progress, solve doubts together, or just stay on call while studying.

No pressure to be perfect or super productive all the time. Just trying to stay consistent and focused.

If this sounds like something you’d be into.... You know where to find me.

We recently opened an analyst role at our company. It’s intended to be entry-level, but more on the “career-ready” side; fundamentals in Excel advanced functions (PivotTables, Power Query, XLOOKUP), plus some exposure to Power BI and general data analysis/reporting.

We’ve had a ton of applicants, which is great. On paper, many candidates look solid, with certificates or even Master’s degrees in data analytics, and they list all the tools we’re looking for.

But once we get into interviews, there’s often a big gap. Some candidates who list Excel or Power BI skills struggle with basics like XLOOKUP or building a PivotTable, and their exposure to BI tools sometimes seems very surface-level, like a single project or spent a week on it.

I’m all for learning on the job and helping people grow. In fact, we’d love for this role to act as a funnel for our senior analyst roles after 2 years. But at the same time, I’m not expecting to teach fundamentals from scratch.

Am I misunderstanding what these programs/certifications are actually designed to teach?

Is this just the current market, where candidates are incentivized to list tools they’ve only briefly used?

Or are expectations for “entry-level” roles just misaligned right now?

Curious to hear perspectives from both hiring managers and analysts. What are you seeing out there?

One month into my job as a Marketing Data Analyst, I decided to dive deeper into the data analysis iceberg to maybe create more value for myself as an analyst... and keep my job safe.

So, I literally just watched an Alex The Analyst course. It was good. I just downloaded MySQL. Learned SELECT lol and just went on LeetCode to play around with it. I try to solve the problems then just ask ChatGPT or Claude why that works. I'm thinking I should finish the course (since it's only 4 hours long) then whenever I learn of a new function, I should try it out on LeetCode?

I'm a beginner when it comes to analysis btw. A baby, actually. I'm literally only a month into this job.

Anyone here have any tips on how to learn it THE RIGHT WAY? I might be doing it wrong. The only programming language I initially knew were HTML and CSS.

I wanted to ask for some advice from people already working in analytics/data roles.

I’ve been job searching for over a year since finishing my master’s degree in analytics. I’ve had a few interviews and made it to final rounds a couple times, but haven’t gotten selected yet.

Right now I’m in the process of changing my immigration status and I’m hoping that helps improve my chances once I’m back on the market.

My question is: if you had 2-3 months of time while waiting for a work permit to arrive, what would you focus on to help your career as an analyst?

I already have a few data projects from my master’s program, but most of them were built using static CSV datasets. I’ve been thinking about trying to build more real-world projects using live data/APIs instead so my portfolio feels less “school project” based and more practical. I’m just not fully sure what would actually help the most when recruiters or hiring managers look at it.

I’m trying to figure out the best way to spend my time instead of just sitting around waiting. Projects? Certifications? Networking? SQL/Power BI/Python practice? Applying anyway? I just dont want to waste the time.

Would really appreciate hearing what you’d do in my position. Thanks a lot.

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I've been applying for data analyst roles too, but it didn't work out. Is it really possible to do freelancing in data analysis, I've heard people saying the business won't trust the freelancers with the data. I'm not sure if I should start freelancing. and even if I did, i don't know where to find clients. The same upwork and fiverr are too crowded. please share your insights!

I’m trying to transition into a data analytics career. I have an undergrad in Philosophy and currently work as a retail manager, so I don’t have formal analyst experience yet.

Right now I’m doing the Google/Coursera Data Analytics Certificate, although from what I’ve read, projects and practical skills matter more. I’m proficient in Excel and SQL, and I have some experience with Power BI. Currently trying to get better with DAX since I keep hearing it’s very valuable.

At my current job, I voluntarily analyze sales and operational data because I find it useful, even though it’s not officially part of my role.

For people already in the field: what skills, projects, certifications, or advice would you recommend for someone trying to break into data analytics from a non-traditional background? Appreciate any help. Thanks!

I was job hunting and found this IT company called “AtudeTeam” or “Team Altitude,” which is apparently hiring Data Analysts. I recently graduated, so this would probably be my first job. Their website looks decent and professional, but I can’t find any other sources confirming that they’re a legitimate company.

The job is remote, and I didn’t go through a proper interview process. I was basically hired directly after they found my resume on a job posting site.

I just wanted to ask if anyone here knows them or has heard of them before.