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Recently, we explained what you can do with a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, what jobs you can get with the degree, and why you should consider getting your degree in this field.
Today, we’ll discuss how to start a career as an operations research analyst, which is one of the best jobs for people who hold a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics.
This guide will cover why you should consider a career in operations analysis, including what you’d be expected to do on the job, why you’ll need to complete a related degree before attempting to land this job, and what you can do to improve your chances of success.
After you’ve read about becoming an operations analyst, please fill out our information request form to learn more about our online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems & Business Analytics or our online Master of Science in Data Analytics.
If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.
According to Glassdoor, an operations research analyst is an individual who works to improve the effectiveness of operational activities in organizations. To accomplish this objective, operations analysts have to be well-versed in mathematics, data analysis, and information technology principles and best practices.
Why? Operations analysts are the individuals in charge of gathering data from various parts of the organization and analyzing that data to gain insights into what the organization does well, where it’s having issues or problems, and what can be done to improve performance.
The primary goal of an operations analyst is to help improve the efficiency of the organization by implementing data-driven changes that lead to real performance improvements. You can think of operations analysts as the people in charge of developing data-based business strategies used to assist the organization in meeting its objectives.
If you’re serious about becoming an operations analyst, then you should consider specializing in a discipline like data analytics.
Operations analysis is an excellent career option for individuals with strong analytical skills and a passion for problem-solving.
This field offers opportunities to work in various industries, including manufacturing, technology, banking and finance, health care, and retail.
Operations analysts can apply their methodology to virtually any process, product, or service, so their skills are useful to nearly every single organization.
Here are some additional advantages to becoming an operations analyst:
An operations analyst searches for trends and patterns in data using their knowledge of statistics, computer programming, and databases. They do this to look for ways to boost an organization’s efficiency, help plan for future growth, and troubleshoot issues that the organization may be experiencing.
In this way, you can think of operations research analysts as being problem solvers, or optimizers, since the entire purpose of the role is to improve performance, however, and wherever possible.
The operations analyst position is an excellent choice for those looking to begin or advance their career in data analytics. This job entails converting raw data into useful information that can be used to drive business decisions, making it an excellent niche for anyone studying data analytics.
As technology advances and we all continue to generate more data, it’s expected that the demand for skilled analysts capable of making sense of all the data available will continue to rise.
Because operations analysts’ work is crucial to organizational success, many employers looking to hire operations research analysts will require that job candidates have a degree in a related field, such as Data Analytics, Management Information Systems, and Business Analytics, Information Technology, Information Technology Management, or Computer Science.
If you want to be an operations analyst, you should first learn about mathematics and database management, as these topics will be incredibly important for your work in the field. Developing expertise in these areas will provide you with the solid foundation you need to succeed in this challenging industry.
With the right skills and training, you can become an essential member of the operations analytics team, helping to convert a mess of data into valuable insights that help you inform sound business strategies.
Data scientists and business analysts are two of the many job titles associated with operation analytics, but they’re just two of the most common job titles. Operations research analysts may hold any of the following positions, or others not listed here:
The role of an operations research analyst revolves around data, including collecting it, storing it, reviewing it, investigating it, and using it to come up with data-driven ideas to improve real-world business results.
If you’re interested in getting a job in the industry, where you’re sure to be asked to help with managing data, using analytical skills, and developing business strategies backed by actual data, then you’ll need to develop a whole host of skills and abilities required to handle these complex, challenging tasks.
According to SAS, operations analysts must be capable of collecting, storing, and reviewing large amounts of data to find the insights that will help their organization operate more efficiently.
They accomplish this task using advanced programming skills, statistical analysis methods, and a deep, complex understanding of business processes, best practices, and the organization’s specific goals.
Working in operations analysis usually includes a mix of the following activities:
As a professional operations analyst, you should be prepared to handle tasks like:
If you want to become an operations analyst, you must have strong analytical skills, as you’ll need to be capable of understanding complex data sets, identifying trends, and developing strategic recommendations based on an analysis of big data.
However, you should also make sure to develop exceptionally strong problem-solving skills as there’s a good chance that your work will include needing to regularly overcome unexpected challenges.
To become a successful operations analyst, you will need to develop a range of skills and abilities. Some of the most critical include:
The best way to get started as an operations analyst is to get a degree in Business Management or Data Analytics.
Getting your degree will provide you with a solid foundation of skills and the knowledge required to achieve success as an operations research analyst.
To improve your odds of landing a great role, make sure to gain as much experience as possible working with data, and consider completing internships or even part-time jobs in the field while you study the industry.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical educational requirement for operations research analysts is to have a bachelor’s degree in business, operations research, management science, analytics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or another technical or quantitative field.
The BLS notes, however, that some employers may prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree, and for the industry’s best jobs, we highly suggest considering completing a master’s program like CSU Global’s M.S. in Data Analytics, as this should help improve your marketability for the field’s most competitive roles.
Getting your degree in the field will ensure that you have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to serve as a successful operations analyst, including all the required computer skills, basic programming knowledge, and strong analytical skills that you’ll need to use each day on the job.
The coursework you complete will develop your ability to do more than simply analyze data sets using SQL or Python, but also improve your business skills, software skills, and problem-solving abilities
Choosing to get your degree from CSU Global will ensure that you’re well-prepared for a career as an operations analyst, laying the groundwork for you to build a successful, lifelong career in the industry.
Studying data analytics will provide you with opportunities to learn about the following topics:
Core courses for CSU Global’s data analytics program include:
The skills you will gain in these courses will provide you with the skills and abilities you need to analyze large data sets, allowing you to make better business decisions driven by real data, rather than assumptions.
You can improve your chances of successfully launching a career as an operations analyst by doing several different things.
First and foremost, you’ll need to develop strong computer skills, since virtually all the work you do in the field will require computers.
This includes developing your ability to use business intelligence tools, statistical software, and databases themselves. You should become familiar with programming languages used for data operations, including SQL and Python.
To succeed in this field, it is also necessary to have excellent communication skills, since you can’t just find insights, but have to be capable of presenting them to others.
This means you’ll need to develop skills and abilities used to effectively communicate with managers, team members, and other stakeholders to keep them informed about the data analysis process, the findings, and the suggestions you have for improving business operations.
Finally, problem-solving abilities are going to be essential to your daily tasks, because this job requires you to develop innovative solutions to complex business problems.
To further enhance your academic credentials, you might also want to consider completing one or several industry certifications, which could prove to become a valuable asset for your resume.
According to Zippia, the following are some of the best industry certifications for a career as an operations analyst:
Finally, remember that while all of the hard skills like data modeling and computer programming are critical to achieving any level of success as an operations analyst, you’ll also need to spend at least some time developing your soft skills too.
Soft skills include things like communications, professionalism, and your ability to work with others, and these skills can help make or break a career in the industry.
While CSU Global’s programs focus on providing you with the essential hard skills you need for the job, we’ll also help you develop the soft skills you need to build a successful career as an operations analyst.
Yes, we recommend pursuing your degree online, as there are several compelling reasons to pick an online program over in-person learning.
First, getting a data analytics degree online will allow you to learn data analytics from the comfort of your own home, saving you both the time and money that would have been required to commute to an on-campus program.
Next, online programs tend to provide much more flexibility than on-campus programs, allowing you to study not just wherever, but also whenever you choose to do so.
If you’ve got a busy schedule that includes family or work responsibilities, then studying online will make it much easier to find time to attend to your studies without impeding your other responsibilities.
Choosing to study with us at CSU Global ensures you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that come from studying online, as our entirely online programs offer:
Since operations analysts are all about improving organizational efficiency, you’re likely to appreciate the efficiency advantages that our program provides, and we hope that you’ll take advantage of these benefits to help jumpstart your career as an operations research analyst.
Our online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics was designed to provide you with everything you need to launch a successful, lifelong career as an operations research analyst.
This program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, so you can rest assured that your degree will earn the respect of hiring managers, while also providing you with real value as you seek to launch or advance your career in operations analytics.
Our program is also sure to help set your resume apart from other applicants for competitive jobs, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including::
Furthermore, CSU Global itself is widely regarded as an industry leader in higher education, having recently earned several important rankings, including:
Finally, we offer affordable tuition rates and a tuition guarantee to ensure that your rate won’t increase as long as you remain enrolled as a student with us.
To learn more about our fully accredited online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, please call (800) 462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.
Are you ready to get started? Apply today!
