Data Analyst/Report Writer

[AnthonyGerrard]

I want a bit of a change of a career. At the moment I am an access/sql server db developer - bit of web etc

I have a Mathematics degree. So I think the foundations are there for a data analysis type job rather than a major starting again.

What kind of skills should I be looking to add to my CV.

I have a short SPSS course in mind, maybe improve my Excel skills and to look at further report writng skills.

The reason for change is - obviously access is extremely limited in term of salary - and also I want to get away from GUI - user interfaces/ Software integration , compatibility issues.


If anyone already working in similar roles can offer any advice - I'd be very greatful.

 

[kevlray]

I know that the Business Intelligence (BI) field is really taking off. The problem is which report writer to concentrate on (Webi, Crystal Reports, MS-Report Builder, etc.). With anything you go with, SQL skills will be key. More companies seem to going to data warehouses (cubes). We don't use them here (yet).

I hope this helps.

 

[pwbrown]

The company I work for(a global company - not going to mention who) are currently recruiting different analyst roles, they are looking for people with advanced Excel skills and report writing. People with Business Objects and Crystal Reports knowledge are sought after. Depending on your skill level starting salary is £35,000.

 

[Vassago]

SSRS (Reporting Services) is starting to see a lot more action. I hated Business Objects. lol

 

[pwbrown]

SSRS (Reporting Services) is starting to see a lot more action. I hated Business Objects. lol

Why? I always found it easy to use and pretty straight forward.

 

[Vassago]

Just personal preference.

 

[rodmc]

I think we're starting to see crystal reports being phased out in favour of BOXI/Wi, with many of the aspects of CR being incorporated into BOXI/Wi. Given that SAP own both product lines I would see why they would want to go down that route.
I dont think there been a new version of CR in a few years now!

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

Thanks for the replies everyone - a bit to think about.

 

[mdlueck]

Yes to the BI suggestion. There is an entire field of various methodologies / branches in the BI field which I have only barely scraped the surface of. Dealing with cube data as well.

Polish up your LinkedIn profile as well. Example: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mlueck and monitor who views it. I have an interview this afternoon with a local company simply by seeing a local executive having viewed my profile, I looked up their addy / sent them a link invite / they accepted and also sent an additional email stating their interest in my profile and an offer to come in to interview. Perhaps if I had not noticed their visit I would have never learned of the local need.

Something I do and find very challenging to articulate is the neatness of the code I develop. In my coding style, I find myself always prefixing table aliases onto columns being selected so at a glance at a SELECT it is clear which columns are coming from which tables. Also in complex SELECT queries I comment the various WHERE conditions. Recently at the client I am currently serving at, assisting another consultant I got a peek at a query out of the production ERP system. That query had a few tables joined together, no use of table prefixes to clarify which columns were coming from which tables, and the tables names looked like system generated random ones.