Learn business analytics

Business analytics skills

Business analytics professionals employ a mix of data science and business communication skills to accomplish their daily tasks. Business analytics professionals are typically expected to have a grasp of:

• Big data infrastructure
• Business intelligence
• Technology governance
• Data visualization
• Data structures
• Data extraction
• Data analysis techniques
• Technical data science tools
• Programming languages

How to get started in business analytics

Whether you want to prepare for a new data-driven career or build upon your existing business analytics skills, the following steps can help you achieve your professional goals:

1. Learn business analytics fundamentals (0-3 months)

Getting started with business analytics requires a knowledge of the fundamentals. Enrolling in an online business analytics course allows you to master key skills like data management, data visualization, and business communication on your schedule. In the first few months of your business analytics journey, look for courses that cover:

• Microsoft Excel analyses
• Key business metrics like revenue, cost, market size, and market share
• Data visualization techniques
• The principles of operations management

Introductory data analytics and business courses can also provide helpful context as you plan your business analytics career path.

2. Work on projects to practice your business analytics skills (3-6 months)

After enrolling in an online course or program, you should seek opportunities to practice your business analytics skills. This may be in the form of an internship, a capstone project, or full-time employment. Hands-on projects allow you to apply the skills you've learned in a real-world setting. Examples of projects you may be able to pursue include:

• Helping a startup measure and contextualize its market share
• Creating a report with charts and graphs summarizing your employer's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
• Using a data processing tool like Excel to calculate and organize a company's key performance indicators, then presenting the results to key stakeholders

If you need help finding ways to apply your skills, don't hesitate to talk to professors and peers in your professional network. They may be able to direct you to the right opportunities.

3. Create a portfolio to showcase your work (6+ months)

Proof of your business analytics skills is crucial in the professional world, so you need a portfolio to showcase any business analytics projects you've completed. Even if you're early in your career and have only completed class projects, a portfolio can show employers that you understand how to apply your on-paper skills to real-world scenarios.

Start by creating a LinkedIn account if you don't already have one. Then, add examples of your work to your profile. Ideally, you will also have a professional website or folder dedicated to your work. Be sure to include several strong examples of your skills, such as:

• Business or data analytics courses or capstone projects
• Internship work
• Full-time employment
• Personal projects or hobbies that illustrate business analytics skills

You should also summarize each example and explain which business analytics skill(s) it illustrates.

How long does it take to learn business analytics?

Learning business analytics can take a few months to several years, depending on your background and professional goals. If you want to earn a business analytics degree, your education will take longer to complete and cover more topics than one business analytics course.

Find your business analytics learning path

• Courses: Online courses can typically be completed within 4-12 weeks.
• Certificates: Earning a professional certificate can take between two and 10 months.
• Executive Education: Executive Education programs take 6-8 weeks to complete.
• Degree programs: A bachelor's degree in business analytics takes around four years to earn, while a master's degree takes around two years.

Business analytics jobs

Data scientist

Data scientists use machine learning, predictive modeling, and data analysis techniques to process and extract meaningful insights from data. They may gather, organize, and make predictions based on raw data. A data analytics professional — a type of data scientist — uses data visualization and statistical analysis to inform business decisions.

Data scientists work across many industries, including insurance, finance, healthcare, tech, science, and consulting.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• BLS median annual salary (2024): $112,590
• BLS projected job growth (2024-34): +34%

Market research analyst

Market research analysts examine consumer preferences, business environments, and other features to determine possible service or product sales. They assist businesses in understanding what products or services are in demand, who will likely buy them, and the price consumers are willing to pay.

Market research analysts work in industries like company and enterprise management, information, finance and insurance, wholesale trade, science, and technical consulting services.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• BLS median annual salary (May 2024): $76,950
• BLS projected job growth (2024-34): +7%

Computer systems analyst

Computer systems analysts consider a business's digital systems and recommend improvements, helping the company operate more productively. While some computer systems analysts hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, others have a degree in business, as computer systems analysts work on the business side of an organization.

Computer systems analysts work in industries that include company and enterprise management, information, finance and insurance, computer systems design, and government.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• BLS median annual salary (May 2024): $103,790
• BLS projected job growth (2024-34): +9%

Management analyst

Management analysts suggest ways a business can improve its efficiency. They recommend ways for managers to increase profits by lowering costs and raising revenues.

The primary industries for management analysts include professional, scientific, and technical services; management of companies and enterprises; finance and insurance; and government.

• Required education: Bachelor's degree
• BLS median annual salary (May 2024): $101,190
• BLS projected job growth (2024-34): +9%

Your next steps on edX

Whether you plan to become a business analytics professional or incorporate business analytics skills into your current profession, an edX course or program can help you achieve your educational and professional goals. Take the next step in your career journey today.

• For those curious about business analytics: Enroll in a business analytics course.
• For aspiring business analytics professionals: Explore business analytics bachelor's and master's degree programs.
• For professionals who want to upskill for management or executive positions: Take your skills to the next level by signing up for an Executive Education program via edX.

Last updated June 23, 2025