By Sumit Basu, Ph.D.
Adjunct faculty

Data is everywhere. From healthcare systems and financial institutions to marketing teams, data drives many of the major decisions being made today.

The question is no longer whether organizations use data, but if they have skilled professionals who know how to turn data into insight.

This is why a data analyst certification is a powerful steppingstone for individuals interested in entering or advancing their data-driven career.

What does a data analyst do?

Data analytics is about telling stories with data. A well-trained data analyst uncovers trends, spots risks, forecasts outcomes and helps businesses make smart decisions.

In our Data Analyst Certificate program, students learn to:

• Ingest data from multiple sources
• Clean and transform raw datasets
• Analyze structured data
• Build impactful dashboards and reports
• Communicate insights clearly to decision-makers

No prerequisites are required, although some familiarity with basic analytics or Microsoft Excel can be helpful.

Hands-on training with industry tools

What sets our program apart is its hands-on focus using real, in-demand tools. Students gain practical experience using Microsoft Power BI (Business Intelligence) and Excel, the quintessential tools every data analyst should know.

Power BI is widely used across industries to analyze structured data, track key performance indicators, forecast trends and visualize results in real time.

Excel remains one of the most essential tools in any organization. When combined with Power BI, it becomes a powerful analytics toolkit.

Preparation for Microsoft Power BI Certification

While Macomb awards students a Data Analyst Certificate upon completion of three required courses, the curriculum also prepares students for the Microsoft Power BI certification exam.

Students who wish to pursue Microsoft certification can take the exam independently after completing the coursework.

Taught by industry professionals

I teach this program as someone who uses these tools every day. In my role at General Motors, I work in advanced data science with supply chain operations. I analyze inventory levels, forecast warehouse demand, evaluate financial reports and support decision-making using Power BI, which is what we teach in the classroom.

As I remind my students every day, “Who are we? We are data analysts.” In a world where AI tools are advancing rapidly, it’s important to remember that technology is only an assistant. Businesses still rely on human judgment, experience and insight to turn data into decisions that matter.

To learn more about the Data Analyst Certificate at Macomb, please visit our webpage.