The majority of data-driven businesses depend heavily on business intelligence developers, who are able to transform massive volumes of data into useful insights that guide corporate expansion.

In reality, what do BI developers do?

Business intelligence developers basically take any type of firm data—sales numbers, client behavior, market trends, etc.—and rework it to provide decision-makers the knowledge they need to advance.

To make the data easier to understand for important stakeholders, BI will produce amazing visual data dashboards. The main focus of a BI developer’s work is data storytelling.

The abilities required to work as a BI developer

You’ll need to have a certain set of fundamental abilities in order to effectively interpret vast volumes of data and transform it into something concrete. Below are some excellent pointers from our very own BI Developer, Dan Renwick, for anyone wishing to enter this industry.

Study SQL

Proficiency in SQL (Structured Query Language) is crucial for achieving success in the business intelligence domain. In essence, SQL is the language you would use to communicate with and extract information from a database. It is possibly the best tool you can have on your CV for a variety of data roles, so make sure it is at the top of your list!

Acquire proficiency in coding languages.

In interviews, having a rudimentary understanding of a coding language will help you. Python is a flexible programming language that enables you to work with your SQL queries and facilitates a great deal of task automation.

Study about cloud computing

Nowadays, cloud computing is the standard for corporate intelligence, therefore being knowledgeable about it will make you look pretty good during interviews. The most well-known cloud computing systems are Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Acquire proficiency using a data visualisation tool

The finest tool for creating stunning data dashboards that impress stakeholders is a data visualisation tool. Check out the highly regarded tools, Microsoft Power BI, Google Data Studio, and Tableau.

Develop your spreadsheet abilities

Remember to use spreadsheets. Even though they have been around for a while, their value as data organizers hasn’t diminished. All stakeholders will be familiar with Excel, therefore employing this platform to engage with your reports will greatly aid key stakeholders and users.

Recognize your clientele

Helping important individuals throughout the company better understand the data at their disposal is the responsibility of a BI developer. To communicate your findings in a way that will be helpful and simple to grasp, it is crucial that you comprehend stakeholder requirements and collaborate closely with them.

Like all careers in tech, there is no set route to get into BI. BI Developer, Dan, studied physics at university so doesn’t have a traditional tech background. Dan argues that conventional computer science degrees, whilst useful, aren’t mandatory for the role. However, there are some key qualifications that can help you stand out and advance your technical skills.

Use BCS to Become a BI Developer

Offer a variety of certifications that can help you stand out from the competition and acquire the abilities required for the position if you’re interested in pursuing a career in business intelligence and data.

Beginning-level

Your career in data can be accelerated with a digital apprenticeship. Data Analyst and Data Technician apprenticeships are excellent choices if you want to get into BI. Apprenticeships are a terrific way to earn while you study.

These digital apprenticeships, which are offered by numerous training organizations, are an excellent way to get started in a career in these sectors. They touch on the foundations of AI and machine learning, starting at the bottom and working their way up. Being integrated into a real function with a company provides excellent work/business context to knowledge that, if learned outside of a workplace, could be largely theoretical.

IT Professional Certifications

As part of our Business Analysis certificates, we offer Practitioner and Professional level certifications for individuals who are already established professionals or who want to study more or move into a job in Data/Business Intelligence:

If you want to learn how data is utilized and handled within an organization, the Practitioner Certificate in Data Management Essentials is a great place to start. It also gives insight into the characteristics of a “good” data team, including the talents needed and the positions they are specific to.

Important ideas including data modeling, normalization, CRUD matrices, regression, and time-series forecasting are covered in the Professional Certificate in Data Analysis. This certification’s topics provide a thorough understanding of some of the major concepts and duties associated with numerous data/business intelligence roles.

If you want to understand “what does good look like?” from the perspective of stakeholder engagement, getting the Professional Certificate in Stakeholder Engagement is a smart step. Although it is sometimes disregarded, the “people” component of data and business intelligence jobs is actually what makes you stand out from the competition.

Advice on how to pursue a career in business intelligence development

Finish the certification process for cloud providers

Although they are not required for the position, these qualifications will improve your credibility and fortify your resume. credentials from vendors of business intelligence tools, such as Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate and Tableau Desktop Specialist. Customized courses are also offered by AWS and GCP.

Create a compelling portfolio

An impressive portfolio of completed projects is a terrific approach to demonstrate your competence to potential employers. You might also benefit from building a portfolio if you’re applying for entry-level jobs without any prior work experience.

Participate in a community for business intelligence

The Tableau and Microsoft Power BI communities are excellent options if you want to get inspired and learn from seasoned BI professionals. These communities offer networking possibilities, lively forums where you can pick the brains of other BI engineers, and personalized visualizations to help inspire your reports. They can join with no cost at all!

Increase your understanding

Since the technology sector is one of the fastest-moving, it’s critical to stay current on the newest tools, platforms, and trends. You may find helpful books on coding, and reading articles online is usually a good idea. Data scientists and analysts write a wide variety of information on Medium regarding their initiatives.