Since launching our new Data Analyst member category in May this year, we’re delighted to welcome our first cohort of career-young data professionals to have their skills professionally recognised by the RSS. All have fulfilled the criteria to call themselves an ‘RSS registered Data Analyst’.
The newly accredited Data Analysts
One of these is Adrian Ball (pictured right), a policy advisor at Ofcom who regularly carries out data analysis and economic modelling as part of his role. He has also recently completed a module in applied mathematics for a part-time degree that he is studying at the Open University. ‘This gave me a solid understanding of the mathematical foundations for statistics and probability’ he says. Coupled with his professional work experience, he easily fulfilled the criteria for Data Analyst.
Adrian wanted to gain accreditation with a professional body, he says, ‘because of the code of conduct and professional standards that are core to professional conduct. Others can recognise what an individual can contribute professionally.’
Ian Stephenson, a reporting and insights advisor within PwC specialising in the analysis of HR data, also found his part time study at the Open University useful when applying for Data Analyst status. ‘I am already pursuing a statistics heavy degree and was an e-Student member of the Royal Statistical Society, he says. ‘I decided to apply when the Data Analyst role was announced, as it would be a step towards GradStat and also evidence of my continuing personal development for my employer.’
When Ian completes his degree, he plans to apply for GradStat status. However, there is no obligation for any Data Analyst to progress to GradStat if their career isn’t going in that direction. The Data Analyst designation provides vital proof of foundational data skills to employers in the meantime.
For Adrian, the Data Analyst designation is a platform to progress to GradStat in time, but he adds: ‘It would depend on what I think the next steps are for my career and whether the Data Analyst accreditation is sufficient in the short to medium term.’
What is the new Data Analyst category of membership?
The RSS has set out a defined set of skills and level of statistical and data training that we believe are fundamental to being able to carry out data analysis. People who meet these requirements and want their data skills recognised can apply to become a Data Analyst fellow.
Once registered as a Data Analyst, they can then move along a professional pathway that can take them first to GradStat and then on to Chartered Statistician status (CStat).
Would you like to become a registered RSS Data Analyst? Take a look at our criteria and see if you have the right combination of skills and experience. It’s easy to apply and just entails a one-off fee to upgrade your membership.