This week, our Q&A with Chris BrooksAssociate Professor, University of Michigan I specialize in data analytics, and in particular teach students how to use data to shape public policy and positively impact the public sector.
The idea of pursuing a career Data analysis Setting vague goals can be insufficient. To clarify your long-term direction, it’s helpful to narrow down the type of data you want to work with and what you want to achieve with it. For example, you might want to study shopping habits to inform advertising decisions, or use manufacturing data to make supply chain processes safer and more efficient. Or, like Professor Brooks, you might want to use data to improve society.
Your data focus area will become your niche, and you’ll likely use more and more data as your career progresses. Advanced Data Skills Learn techniques to hone your expertise in your field. You can also explore specialized higher education opportunities in areas such as: Courses taught by Professor Brooks.
Of course, the first step to achieving your long-term data goals is learning the basics. Here, Professor Brooks explains: Aspiring data analysts Explore what you should and can do to continue growing in your niche.
Best Data Analysis Skills
According to Professor Brooks, it’s worth developing the following skills:
“The overlap between these types of skills shouldn’t be underestimated!” he says. “For example, data visualization is as much about computer programming and statistics as it is about communication and critical thinking. Having a strong foundation in both technical and non-technical skills allows public policy analysts to draw attention to their results in a more effective way than having only technical skills.”
The best data analysis tools
Professor Brooks first R programming language In RStudio, add the following to your toolkit:
“Keeping up with a rapidly changing field Machine Learning and artificial intelligence “For most knowledge workers, this is important, and tools like R allow them to take advantage of advances in these fields without getting bogged down in the details of how each method or algorithm works under the hood,” he adds.
How to continue your career development
Professor Brooks advocates for proactively learning and staying up to date with new technology trends.
“Instead of just waiting for a course on the topic you need to open up, proactively connect with communities of like-minded people through Meetups, Reddit, or by engaging with existing communities and leaders on social media,” he says. “Once you become familiar with the terms they use, such as trend analysis and multivariate analysis, look for online learning opportunities across various platforms. In this interconnected world, options for growth are closer than ever before.”
Keep learning
Our Full interview with Professor Brooks Want to hear more of his wise advice?
Practice your technical data skills Top specializations for beginners from University of Michigan on Coursera:
Building for a data niche Mid-level specializations include:
