Technical analysts are the unsung heroes of the tech industry. They’re the ones that spend hours studying the back end of gadgets, tools, equipment, and even software to see what is and what is not working with regards to them.
Their findings contribute to the following development process, and, just like that, you end up with a brand-new piece of tech that is completely devoid of faults.
Specific job duties of a tech analyst range from implementing upgrades to designing interfaces. Does the prospect of performing these kinds of tasks day in, day out make you more determined than ever to follow this career path? If so, go and follow it!
Here’s what you need to do to become a technical analyst:
Earn your degrees
You need to earn the degrees that hold the keys to the industry of technical analytics if you want to enter into it.
First and foremost, you’re going to need a bachelor’s degree in the field of IT.
In order to enroll on such a course, in most cases a high school diploma with good grades in math and science is going to be deemed a requirement — no matter what IT subject you decide to study, the bulk of your learning is going to be centered around STEM projects, which means it is essential that you have a background in these kinds of highly analytical subjects.
On your IT course of choosing, amongst over niche subjects, you will cultivate a deeper understanding of computer programming, technology architecture, and database management.
Your time in education isn’t quite done yet, however. After you’ve finished up with your IT course and donned that bachelor’s hat and gown, you’re going to have to get right back to work by enrolling yourself on a postgraduate course.
To the point, you need to earn yourself a Master’s in Applied Statistics. This course will well and truly prepare you for the analytical challenges that you are going to face in your career.
You will delve into a spectrum of statistical methods, you will learn how to make predictions, you will understand what it takes to devise experiments, and you will equip yourself with the tools you need to solve real-world problems.
Fear not, as devoting your time and effort to such a demanding course need not hamper your ability to progress in a professional sense. By taking the online Statistics Masters program offered by Michigan Tech, you would be allowed to study towards your degree in your own time and at your own pace, as all of your learning would take place via the Internet.
Taking this kind of remote course would mean that you wouldn’t have to bend your schedule too much to study, revise and take tests.
More importantly, enrolling on such a program would allow you to carry on devoting every last bit of effort you have to the work experience that you also have to undertake at this time.
Gain work experience
Just as you would in any other field as demanding as technical analytics, you need to gain work experience in it before you can step into it in a professional sense.
When it comes to work experience opportunities, one good thing about this field is that it is so incredibly broad — you could gain experience in a range of specific areas, from banking to healthcare, simply because every industry needs technical analysts.
During your time on work experience, you can expect to be charged with the following duties:
- Assisting with app or software development
- Helping your superiors to find solutions to technical problems
- Maintaining pieces of technology to ensure they are always ready for use
- Making the tea and coffee (this is just a given for people on work experience, regardless of the industry they’re working in!)
Work on a number of skills
Throughout your time in education and on work experience, you should seek to cultivate several all-important skills…
Technical analysts must:
- Possess problem-solving skills
- Be able to solve complex math equations
- Work in a highly focused manner
- Be able to communication complex concepts to a variety of people
Obtain a VPC
As its name suggests, the Voluntary Professional Certification (VPC) is not necessary and completely voluntary, so you don’t have to break your back to obtain one. Earning this kind of certification will, however, set you up in good stead for the future and could very well prove to be invaluable to you as you seek to advance in your career.
With this certificate under your belt, you will be able to put professional appraisal on your CV; this stamp of approval will only ever make you stand out from the crowd whenever you make job applications. What’s more, with a VPC you will prove that you are able to perform certain complex tasks, the likes of which you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed to take on.
In order to apply for a VPC, you will have to prove that you have worked in your industry in a professional capacity for at least two years.
When the time comes to make your application, you’ll also be asked to take and pass a written exam on your specific subject area. If you wish to go down this route with your career, then, you better be prepared to devote a lot of time and effort to your venture!
As a technical analyst, no two working days would be the same for you. You would be tasked with studying all kinds of gadgets tools, and pieces of software every single day. What’s more, you would be faced with all sorts of complex concepts and equations every single day, too.
If you think you’re up to the challenge of being a technical analyst, you should be sure to put the advice laid out above into practice right away and follow your professional aspirations.
The sooner you start on that long and winding road, the sooner you’ll be sitting pretty atop of your chosen career ladder!
