Analyst

An analyst is a professional who systematically examines information to explain, interpret, or project outcomes and to support decision making. Analysts typically collect, clean, and analyze data; identify patterns and trends; assess risks and opportunities; and translate findings into actionable recommendations. They operate across sectors such as business, finance, technology, government, healthcare, and journalism.

There are widely recognized specializations, including business analysts who map processes, elicit requirements, and align IT solutions with business goals; financial analysts who evaluate investments, budgets, and company performance; data analysts who perform statistical analyses and create dashboards; market analysts who study market conditions, competitors, and consumer behavior; and policy analysts who assess the impact of policies and propose alternatives.

Common duties include gathering data, building models, testing hypotheses, interpreting results, preparing reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders. Analysts often collaborate with domain experts and decision-makers, and their work informs strategy, budgeting, product development, or policy choices. Key skills include quantitative analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and domain knowledge. Proficiency with tools such as spreadsheet software, SQL, and statistical programming languages (Python, R), and data visualization platforms (Tableau, Power BI) is common.

Education typically includes a bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, computer science, statistics, or a related field; several roles may require certifications or advanced degrees. Career paths vary by field, ranging from analyst to senior or lead analyst, or transitioning into data science, finance, or consulting roles. Ethical considerations include accuracy, transparency, privacy, and avoiding conflicts of interest.