🔥 Hot take: you’re already a data analyst - you just don’t realize it yet.

Don’t believe me? Give me 4 minutes to convince you. 👇

What Is a Data Analyst, Anyways?

Most people think a data analyst is a job title handed down by some omnipotent company. But that’s B.S.

Simple definition: someone who analyzes data to solve problems using an analytical mindset.

It doesn’t matter if you use Excel, SQL, Power BI, pen and paper, or even just your brain. If you look at data, find patterns, make decisions, and communicate those findings, boom. You’re a data analyst.

Welcome to the club! 😎🥳

Data analytics is about:

• Cleaning and preparing data

• Finding patterns and trends

• Communicating insights

• Taking action based on analysis

If you’ve ever opened a spreadsheet, made a chart, tracked metrics, or even just mentally organized information to solve a problem, you’re a data analyst.

Let’s dive into some practical examples.

Seven Professions Where You’re Already a Data Analyst

If you’ve read my newsletter for awhile, you’ll know they don’t call me Avery “Practical” Smith for nothing. Okay, no one calls me that. But I learn through practical examples.

So here are 7 ways these professionals are already analyzing data.

1. Sales Professionals

• Analyzing lead conversion rates by channel to maximize profit

• Creating weekly sales reports to monitor pipeline health and forecast revenue

• Segmenting customers in a CRM to personalize outreach and improve efficiency

2. Teachers

• Tracking student performance data to improve learning outcomes

• Analyzing team participation and engagement trends

• Making data-driven decisions for large groups of students or clients

3. Delivery Drivers

• Optimizing delivery windows by analyzing traffic patterns and live alerts

• Ensuring projects meet standards and minimizing operational downtime through A/B testing communication

4. Physical Therapists

• Tracking patient recovery data to identify effective treatments

• Auditing billing codes and financial transactions

• Charting progress and aligning service logs with success metrics

5. Parents (Stay-at-Home or Otherwise)

• Tracking weekly grocery expenses to reduce waste and overspending

• Building chore workflows with planners and reward systems to boost productivity

• Charting diaper changes and feedings to ensure child well-being

6. Retail Workers

• Tracking hourly sales to optimize inventory during peak times

• Using mental maps to quickly locate products for customers

• Processing thousands of financial transactions accurately

7. Construction Workers

• Collecting and comparing vendor quotes to maximize ROI

• Identifying high-risk materials and procedures using historic data

• Tracking material costs and ensuring accuracy in blueprints

No matter you’re current profession, you can view it as a data position.

Want to stump me? Send me an email with your profession and I’ll reply back with my take.

Why Should You Care That You’re a Data Analyst?

“Okay, cool, Avery. I guess I can call myself I’m a data analyst. Why should I even care?” Here are three good reasons.

1) Your resume needs it.

If you’ve been applying for jobs and not hearing much back, it’s probably because in today’s job market, companies are looking to hire people with data analytics experience already. You’ve been thinking (and your resume indicates) you have no data analytics experience. But after reading this, hopefully you realize you do! Edit your resume!

2) Your LinkedIn needs it.

Once again, recruiters are looking to fill data analytics roles with existing data analysts. By updating your LinkedIn to look more like a data analyst, you’ll have more recruiters knocking at your door.

It can be as simple as adding “Analyst” to your current title or even “Data-Driven.” Small changes go far in the ATS. Update your LinkedIn!

3) You need it.

Let’s be real. Your confidence is low. You’re experiencing mega imposter-syndrome. Why? Because you’re learning 387 new things quickly. Because you’re trying to change careers. Because you keep getting rejected.

Once you change your mindset from, “I’m not a data analyst. I don’t belong.” to “I’ve been doing data analytics for years! I can do this!”, you get reborn life. Your confidence rises. You apply to more jobs. You get more interviews. You get hired. Rewire your mind!

Yes, You Are a Data Analyst

Don’t want for some almighty powers to give you the title of “data analyst.”

Instead, claim it. Take your career into your own hands.

You’ve already been doing this. You are capable of doing it more. You are a data analyst.

And I’m enjoying watching your journey.

Keep up the good work.

p.s. I did a whole podcast episode about this where I dive a bit deeper. Listen if you enjoyed reading.