Hi awsoci,


Thank you for your response. This has been most helpful and has definitely help me work out what types of things I need to think about / do.

I am currently based in Bristol,England. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of jobs in data analysis, it is just convincing them to give me a shot. I think the biggest hurdle is only ever performing data analysis in a academic role - not a commercial one. Nonetheless, parallels can clearly be drawn between the two.

Cheers again.

Dear All,

During my PhD I have thoroughly enjoyed the data analyst aspect of my course. Predominantly I have used SPSS and R (I have also dabbled in Python - but that has generally been for fun, rather than actual application to my Datasets). I am currently coming towards the end of my PhD in Psychology (Quantitative methods used throughout).

I personally believe that a life in academia really isn't for me (Although I have enjoyed my experience as a Doctoral Researcher). My major aim now is to secure a job in Data Analyst, ideally, a job where I am using software such as SPSS, SAS or R on a daily basis. At this moment in time, I am new to the field, so I am not setting out to work in a specific field, although I am aware of how broad the sector is in data analysis is.

Despite almost having a PhD I am willing to settle for lower paid jobs (Jobs that I MAY have been able to secure after my Masters rather than my PhD) simply to break into the industry. Anyway, I am just wondering of anyone can offer any advice to where to start? I have come across posts such as:

Marketing Analyst
Insight Analyst
Data Analyst
Commercial Analyst....


Many of the job descriptions have been quite intimidating, and I find myself wondering the best approach to use it when hunting and applying for such jobs...

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.