Data Analyst Internships

The tech industry has been booming for the past 10 years. The world is now more connected than ever before and it’s rare to find a company that doesn’t rely on computers, the Internet, or smartphones to do business.

Where there’s technology, there’s data. This recent growth in tech has created massive amounts of information, which all needs to be organized, stored, and interpreted. This is where data analysts come in.

The field of data analytics is fast becoming the most in-demand role in the entire tech space. If you’re an aspiring data analyst you can expect plenty of well-paid job opportunities to come your way. To get started you should have a good academic background. But don’t worry if you don’t have a degree. There are alternative routes to kickstart your career. Online data analytics courses are a great way to gain the skills you need to get hired at a top tech firm.

In addition to your education, completing a data analyst internship will further boost your chances of success. Internships provide you with the opportunity to learn through real-world experience, without the pressure and responsibility of an actual job.

If you have an analytical mind and a passion for understanding big data, read on. This article aims to guide you through the process of landing a data analyst internship at a leading company.

Why Do You Need a Data Analyst Internship?

You might feel that you’re ready for a data analyst job straight after completing your education. But that’s not what most companies believe. It’s sometimes a case of ‘you need experience to get experience’. Companies can’t afford data analysts to make mistakes. They want candidates who have prior experience and can perform their job well. To get this experience, an internship is your best option.

Although most internships don’t pay well, the learning experience is invaluable. You get a chance to work with experts and professionals that have been involved in the industry for years. You can learn from their experience and apply those principles in your own work.

Types of Organizations That Offer Data Analyst Internships

Data analyst internships can be found in the following types of companies:

• Large tech companies that have an analytics team for different functions (such as product, marketing, sales operations, and human resources).
• Companies that specialize in data analytics products or services.
• Companies taking a data-centric approach to understanding data-intensive industries.
• Startup companies that require detailed market research and user feedback.

Internships for Data Analysts

Here are some companies that offer data analyst internships. Bear in mind the roles differ slightly depending on the work culture and data structure. You should choose the internship and company based on your aptitude, specialization, and individual career goals.

Cisco Systems: Cisco is a big name in the tech world. The company offers data analytics and data science internships. They prefer students that are pursuing a degree in data science or machine learning. Knowledge of Python and statistical tools are also important.

HG Insights: With its headquarters in Santa Barbara, HG Insights offer dozens of data analyst internships every year. One of the major tasks of an intern includes finding data solutions. The interns are required to interpret technical data for sales and marketing purposes.

The skills required for this role are SQL, MS Excel, Tableau, and a degree in computer science, engineering, statistics, or any other related field.

Mu Sigma: Mu Sigma is one of the largest big data and decision-science companies in the U.S. and aims to combine art and science. Their data analyst internship positions are a great opportunity for aspiring analysts to gain experience at a reputable company.

Latent View Analytics: This rapidly growing business helps companies go digital. They provide a range of products and services to help companies predict their revenues, anticipate product trends and retain their customers.

Capital One: As a data analyst intern at Capital One, you’ll come across many challenging projects that will help you master the field. This role will prepare you for a full-time data analyst job. You’ll acquire an analytical skillset that will help you achieve your future goals.

Usually, the internships are 10 weeks long. During this time, you’ll have a chance to take inspiration from executive speakers, mentors, managers, and other established professionals in the space.

Twitter: Who doesn’t know about Twitter? A placement here will look great on your resume. Twitter calls its interns “terns”. The internship is usually 12 weeks long. As a part of your internship, you’ll be assigned a mentor, report to your manager, attend regular feedback sessions, and work on various data-intensive projects. You’ll also get to know your fellow interns and need to be a great team player. The company expects you to know to code and have a good academic background.

LinkedIn: The name says a lot about the organization. It provides internships in both data science and data analytics fields. You can acquire both technical and non-technical skills while working as an intern at LinkedIn. Getting an internship here can be competitive, but with a good GPA and passion for the role, it’s achievable.

Tips to Ace the Data Analytics Internship Interview

You shouldn’t take an internship interview lightly. Treat it just like an actual job interview. Here are some tips that will help you secure the placement:

• Know The Tools: You need to prepare for the interview. It’s important you have knowledge of analytical tools such as R, Tableau, MS Excel, and SAS.
• Terminology: Familiarize yourself with the technical language used in the field. You don’t want to look dumbfounded when the interviewer asks you a question. To avoid this situation, brush up on jargon commonly used in the industry. You can use various data analytics books, read blogs, or use other online resources to help you.
• Theoretical Knowledge: Since the interview is for an internship, a recruiter won’t expect you to have practical knowledge, but you must have a clear idea of all the fundamental concepts and basic principles.
• Case Studies: You should have some case studies in mind to support your ideas during the interview. This shows that you’ve done your homework, you’re well-read, and you know what you’re talking about.
• Communication: Good communication skills are crucial to succeed in the interview and seal the deal. You not only need to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner, but also be a great listener and pay attention to everything the employer says.
• Mock Interview: Look at some mock interview questions and practice answering those. You’ll find books and online material with sample questions. If you know someone from this field, then ask for their help. This will help boost your confidence.
• Ask Questions: If you’re confused about something and want to ask the employer a question, then don’t hesitate. Not clarifying and answering incorrectly can create further confusion and lead to missed opportunities.

Kickstart Your Dream Job In Data Analysis

Hopefully this article has provided you with some useful information on finding your perfect data analyst internship. If you’re motivated to start learning now instead of waiting for the first day as an intern, take a look at our data analytics blog, where you can find similar posts about starting a career in tech.

And if you’re serious about a long-term career in big data, enroll in our data analytics bootcamp. You’ll benefit from a structured online learning program designed by leading experts in the field. Receive one-on-one mentorship, along with ongoing community support to help achieve your goals and land your dream data analyst job.