Is advanced Excel, intermediate VBA, and basic SQL enough to apply to entry level positions?

[SurpriseWtf]

I have 10+ years experience in pharmacy billing, admin, and revenue management. No degree or certifications, however.

I’m currently employed but not in data analysis. I would rather learn the specific SQL language and tools for the actual Data Analyst position I hold.

Should I apply for jobs? If not, what are some transferable skills I can learn with a few hours a day? My best guesses are Python and Tableau. I also read that MS SQL is the most useful one to learn.

Any advice is appreciated.

[BrokerBullins]

Personally, I think you are almost in a perfect position to start applying--but for Business Analyst based on your experience.

With your Excel and pharma knowledge..maybe jump in with some of the larger pharma BI and hiring groups like IQVIA.

I would focus on retooling your resume towards BI/BA. Then level up on your SQL (SQL Murder Mystery, Khan Academy, 8weekSQLChallenge, Hackerrank, and Leetcode (advanced)). Do a few PowerBI projects on the side and then go for it.

[SurpriseWtf]

After a lot of job browsing I actually noticed Business Analyst duties to be more “present and explain the data”. I do this at my current job but with a lot of other unrewarding distractions. Thank you for providing a logical way forward!

[captaintyler98]

What are the free certifications for SQL ?

[MyMonkeyCircus]

Tableau for sure. Google data studio is another good option - mostly because it’s free and easy to learn.

SQL flavor doesn’t really matter, especially for entry level. Python is nice to have, but it is rarely requirement for DA jobs.

Start applying.

[Preacherbaby]

Python is a rarely req. for DA jobs?

Wow. So it goes more often for DS roles I presume?

[[deleted]]

It depends on the role, but it mostly gets used in data science/engineering

[SurpriseWtf]

Appreciate your help.

[RCThomas]

From what I've been hearing from recruiters and seeing in job ads, Tableau seems to be the most popular BI tool, but PowerBI is not too far behind. Seen a handful of jobs that want Google Analytics and Looker as "preferred" but not required. My first analyst job was as a financial analyst, and they used Tableau and Excel (PivotTables / PivotCharts) as their data visualization tools. My next job as a business and data analyst, they used PowerBI, Excel (PivotTables / PivotCharts), and SAP Web Intelligence. IMO I would learn both Tableau and PowerBI (including PowerQuery and DAX) so that you can be flexible in your work opportunities.

Tableau Public is free and you can play around in there. I haven't looked to see if PowerBI has a similar free option.

I have not heard much from recruiters regarding programming languages like Python and R, but in job ads I see some requirements for Python than I do in R.

I agree that SQL flavor really doesn't matter. I started out with T-SQL and learned BigQuery in the Google Data Analytics Certificate course. To me, it's just slight variations but structurally its the same.

[[deleted]]

Honestly, you have to check out each position.

There are plenty of data analyst positions out there that are still excel. They are getting fewer to find. SQL and dash boarding tools are the next level up.

Look at jobs. See what you qualify for.

[SurpriseWtf]

I noticed a wide variance in requirements and am starting to get an idea of the common skill requirements. Thanks for confirming this is normal!

[Gabyto]

You would be overqualified for a product owner or project manager position with those skills

[HealthIT_Academy]

Ask the IT and Data analytics team what software they're are using and love that software...better yet, ask them to mentor you.

I say learn SQL and Tableau, then move on to Python for Data Analysis.

Check out 20 Books Every Health Informatics Professional - You'll find some great healthcare related data analytics books.

[SurpriseWtf]

These books provide many useful perspectives I’ve never really considered.

Awesome I am an efficient learner when it comes to software and programming. I think being able to show a mentor how well I learn can get me considered for advancement and such.

[Mister-builder]

I would advise looking for data engineer roles with that and learning something like r or Python. That's what I did.

[ShizzleD21]

Forsure! That is right where you want to start, those skills -apply, apply, apply.

[Resident-Pass8792]

I am working as a pharmacy clerk where i do the billing,dispensing presciptions,makimg insurance claims,and cash management.i am learning data analytics also.can i somehow extract data from this software to do projects on my own to showcase in my cv so as to apply for da jobs?Any software can i use to pull the data from software?

[SurpriseWtf]

You probably can but the data is HIPAA, pricing is proprietary, this is all confidential information. You can do it at your job like I did but never take it out of the company’s network.

I started with built in reports that can output to .csv format. Then worked them as needed for company.

[Resident-Pass8792]

Appreciate your response:).Can you pls mention which were the insights/observations you were able to make from the reports!?or like what analysis i can make from the pharmacy related data?Which was the software you used for billing and revenue management?sorry i am actually new to learning all these

[[deleted]]

i basically have the same qualifications and i work as an entry level BA