Internal musings of a data analyst

Nigeria barely allows you to curate a career path for yourself, like everyone is working to work, keep their head above water, and survive.
As a data analyst in Nigeria, I have had a journey filled with ups and downs. Many of us proudly call ourselves data analysts, but truth be told, it can be challenging to find our way in this field. We need help to pick a domain or niche to build our skills around. We learn all the general tools, hoping they’ll land us a job anywhere, but it often feels like we need a map.
One of the most challenging parts? The need for mentors. With someone to show us the ropes, knowing which path to take is easier. We’re left wondering if we’re making the right choices or focusing on the right things.
And even when we do find our niche, there’s another hurdle: so many companies need to understand the value of what we do. They have all this data sitting there but need to learn how to use it to solve their problems. It’s like having a treasure map, but I need to know how to read it. For example, I had the idea of following the healthcare sector. Where do I start from, what skills should I learn, and where can these skills be valuable?
So, where do we go from here? How do we make things better for data analysts like us?
It may start with mentorship. Having someone to guide us and share their wisdom and experience could make all the difference.
Or it’s about education and awareness. If more companies understood the power of data analysis, they might be more willing to invest in it.
And hey, it’s also about us. We may need to keep learning and growing, hoping that opportunity meets preparedness one day.
Whatever the answer is, one thing’s for sure: it’s time to find our direction. It’s time to shine a light on the path ahead and unlock the true potential of data in Nigeria.