ANALYTICS A FUTURE IN ANALYTICS

ANALYTICS A FUTURE IN ANALYTICS

WHAT IS ANALYTICS? In the information age in which we live, almost all of us consume and produce digital data, either for business, community or private uses. We access data, we manipulate it, we store it and we create more and more of it. The field of analytics provides the expertise to navigate and make sense of this ever-increasing sea of information. Analytics focuses on the linkages between mathematics, statistics and computing. Data is analysed over a wide range of contexts using statistical, mathematical and computational techniques. However analytics goes beyond simple analysis and computation; its primary goal is to enable business decisions based on appropriate data. Accordingly, we have seen the rapid rise of organisational structures and career fields such as business intelligence and business analytics. Are you a problem solver? Do you like puzzles and games involving logical thinking, and working with people to help solve their problems? Are you generally curious and driven toward making an impact through your work? Then analytics could be a great career choice for you.

OUTLOOK AND TRENDS Growth areas Data visualisation allows businesses to ask interactive questions of their prepared data sets and get immediate, engaging visual responses. Increasing importance of mobile data enables companies to define useful mobile metrics, understand mobile technology and the data creation process, and collect and analyse mobile data. Cloud-based analytics allows businesses to save on infrastructure design, set up and management costs, to focus on key issues and to gain business insights. This includes platforms such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Predictive analytics it has become essential for businesses to predict and anticipate trends, in order to make proactive decisions and better shape their outcomes. Wearable computing revolution as more people start using wearable technologies such as Google Glass and smart watches, companies can increasingly monetize the data collected through these devices. Source: tdwi.org/articles/2014/01/28/5-data-analyticstrends-2014.aspx Big data Big data is hot! McKinsey Global Institute s report on big data predicts by 2018 there will be a shortage of 1.5 million analysts/managers who can make datadriven decisions and 140,000-190,000 positions open for data scientists. The difference? Data scientists need advanced analytics skills in statistics, computational mathematics or predictive analytics. They spend more time on computer algorithms, working with data, software and systems, rather than working with people. On the other hand, business analysts/managers need a basic understanding of analytical techniques but spend more time interfacing with people than computers. They often work on broader business questions that can be solved using simpler analytics techniques. Source: www.sas.com/en_us/insights/articles/analytics/ amplify-your-data-career-with-analytics.html WORK SETTINGS Work opportunities can be found in a wide array of sectors and industries in New Zealand, including financial and business management, engineering and industrial, building and construction, government departments and agencies, and research and education. Analytics qualifications tend to be gained through mathematical sciences or computer information sciences pathways. Although there is not necessarily a fixed delineation, career options tend to vary depending on the pathway. A mathematical science pathway is more likely to lead to roles that are focused on analysing data, drawing conclusions, providing feedback to clients and stakeholders, and proposing solutions and recommendations. A computer information science qualification will more likely result in roles centred on gathering, manipulating, processing and storing data, as well as managing IT strategy, security, system management and database design. There are opportunities for considerable advancement in large organisations. In the past, graduates started in a technical role and worked up to management. Now it is possible to enter graduate programmes and then advance to senior or management positions. The big financial services firms provide excellent opportunities. For example, KPMG in New Zealand has a data analytics team providing services for clients such as identification of fraud, waste or abuse, assessment and enhancement of financial and data models, spend analysis, data migration planning and revenue leakage analysis.

CAREER ROLE EXAMPLES Data Insights Analyst An insights role with a core statistical and analytic focus. Work mainly with SQL and Excel, but also with a range of other tools including R and SPSS. Work directly with the marketing, IT and business intelligence teams and present to a variety of stakeholders on a regular basis. Prepare a variety of ad hoc reports regularly. Implementation Analyst Supports data synchronisation service line, supporting existing users and implementing the system with future clients. Involves the support and roll out of additional service lines. Performs data analysis, prepares reports and carries out training and general co-ordination activities as required. IT Graduate Business Analyst Supports reporting and analytics functions, and contributes to the ongoing improvement of business processes in the organisation. Determines appropriate solutions that meet end users specific requirements, while also ensuring the security and integrity of business data and engaging in other change projects as required. Supply Chain Analyst Develops and tests plans to ensure product availability while utilising the most cost effective methods. Undertakes data mining, analysis and data manipulation to assess current operational situations and propose new strategies and methods. Carries out troubleshooting and contributes to the completion of organisational projects and goals. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE People and communication skills Exceptional interpersonal skills for cross-team collaboration. Can communicate with personnel at all levels to provide quality customer service. Ability to understand where gaps are in a business and able to manipulate data, derive useful insights, and make recommendations to the business. Strong presentation skills and able to translate technical reports into digestable information. Analysis and problem solving skills Ability to apply sophisticated predictive modelling and quantitative and statistical analysis Technical and software knowledge High level knowledge of statistics, algorithms, quantitative methods, data mining, predictive analytics, data reporting, logistic regression and decision trees Database applications including mining, data import, table creation, query creation and macros SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SAP, SQL, SPSS, Angoss, R and Excel. PERSONAL QUALITIES Personable and intelligent and comfortable being in a client-facing role Able to rapidly adopt and adapt to working with new technology/platforms Logical, analytical and methodical Quick to learn new tasks Highly accurate with a knack for knowing when to drill down to detail Motivated, proactive and able to manage time to meet deadlines SALARY GUIDE Salaries vary substantially depending on experience and the type of industry. Graduates Intermediate to senior roles with 3 5 years experience Salary (per year) starting salary around $50,000 $70,000 $100,000 Salary range is indicative of the New Zealand job market at the time of publication and should only be used as a guideline. PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION This is not a requirement but membership of professional bodies and associations can be of huge benefit for professional and career development. Relevant local organisations include the Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) NZ, the New Zealand Analytics Forum and the New Zealand Statistical Association. THE AUT ADVANTAGE Graduates of AUT Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Analytics benefit from a strong emphasis on practical skills because they have the experience, in third year, of working on a range of computing or analytical projects with companies such as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Eagle Technology and FutureTech. FURTHER STUDY OPTIONS Further study in mathematical sciences is available at postgraduate level, including the Bachelor of Science (Honours), Postgraduate Certificate in Science, Postgraduate Diploma in Science, Master of Analytics, Master of Health Informatics, Master of Science, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy.

CATHERINE MANSELL Sales Analyst, NZME (New Zealand Media and Entertainment) Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences in Analytics and Astronomy I originally chose to do a maths degree for the astronomy major but was really inspired by a lecturer in my second year and decided to do the analytics major as well. By the time I was halfway through the major, I knew I wanted to solely do analytics for my career. Being able to convert messy data into something people understand using programming tools and Excel is really interesting to me. In this role I am responsible for analysing the sales and supply of commercial newspapers. This includes forecasting, automatic supply using SQL scripts and analysing subscription and retail sales. I love getting to do what I enjoy every day. I love making a positive impact to the overall business and seeing how the changes I make using data, help to make other peoples jobs easier. For the future, I plan to stay with NZME and to continue learning and growing my knowledge of analytics. Longer term, I would really like to work for a company who develops statistical tools such as SAS or perhaps work on analysing for a large international company. EMPLOYER COMMENT Beyond the technical skills expected of appropriate graduates, we look for genuine enthusiasm for the job someone who is willing to learn, will fit well with the existing team and can solve problems by adapting existing tools to new uses. In her interview, Catherine was really passionate about analysis and statistics. Her enthusiasm was infectious and we could see straight away she would fit well in our team. The newspaper industry has changed a lot in the last 20 years. As we move increasingly onto digital and mobile platforms, there is a lot more data to make sense of and use in the development of the business. Consequently, there is a rapidly growing need for people with data analytics skills and expertise. Andrew Niven Commercial Manager, NZME Auckland

ANALYTICS USEFUL WEBSITES NZ Mathematical Society www.nzmathsoc.org.nz Statistics New Zealand www.stats.govt.nz Analytics Section of INFORMS www.informs.org/community/analytics American Society of Quality Statistics Division www.asq.org/statistics For the most up to date information on the study of analytics, visit our website: www.aut.ac.nz/analytics You can also contact the AUT Student Centre team for help and advice: 0800 AUT UNI (0800 288 864) email: studentcentre@aut.ac.nz CITY CAMPUS 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central NORTH SHORE CAMPUS 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland SOUTH CAMPUS 640 Great South Road, Manukau, Auckland AUT MILLENNIUM 17 Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, Auckland Connect with us now: www.aut.ac.nz/social The information contained in this career sheet was correct at time of print, March 2015