Data Analyst

5 stops · self-paced · a common path, not the only one

1. 📍

   You are here

   Today — wherever you're starting from

2. 📚
   LearnNext stop →

   Learn spreadsheets deeply, then SQL

   Master spreadsheets first (most 'data' jobs still live in them), then SQL — the one skill nearly every analyst posting asks for. Both are free to learn.

   ⏱ self-paced · 💵 free–low cost

3. 📚
   Learn

   Pick a visualization tool (Tableau, Power BI, or just charts)

   Pick one of Tableau or Power BI and get good at it. A clear chart that drives a decision beats a fancy model nobody understands.

   ⏱ self-paced · 💵 free–low cost

4. 📜
   Get certified

   Do the free/low-cost Google Data Analytics certificate

   The Google Data Analytics certificate is cheap and teaches the real workflow. It won't get you hired alone, but it structures your learning and looks legit.

   ⏱ weeks–months · 💵 program fees vary

5. 🔨
   Build skills

   Build 2–3 portfolio projects with real public datasets

   2–3 projects on real public datasets, each with a written 'here's what I found and what we should do,' is your actual resume. Put them online.

   ⏱ self-paced · 💵 free–low cost

6. 💼
   Break in

   Apply for analyst roles — show your dashboards

   Link your dashboards in every application. 'Business Analyst' and 'Reporting Analyst' are often the same job under other names — apply to all of them.

   ⏱ self-paced · 💵 free–low cost

7. 🏁

   Data Analyst

   Your destination