LETTER | Prioritise data analytics for better employability

LETTER | Due to technological advancement, fulfilling industrial requirements such as data analytics skills are essential among fresh graduates nowadays.  

Data analytics is a process of transforming raw data into meaningful information for the purpose of smart decision-making. 

It’s not surprising if a fresh graduate doesn't know the basics because of vague understanding from their college or university days.

Apparently, most newbies at the workplace have difficulties implementing raw data as the main resource in the data analytics process.

There are plenty of tutorial videos available on YouTube to polish up this valuable skill. Unfortunately, not many students are driven to learn it as a spare time activity. Instead, they learn for the sake of completing assignments such as final year projects at the university level.

Regardless of the industry they pursue in future, students should have the eagerness to learn data analytics tools such as Apache Spark, Google Analytics, Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft Excel to satisfy numerous stakeholders' expectations.

As proof, according to Usha Ramachandran Rackliffe and Linda Ragland, who wrote in Accounting Education, public accounting firms stress the importance of graduates being adroit in Excel.

Nevertheless, such a skill is very hard to learn by students without proper guidance and training. As a solution, clubs and societies in higher learning institutions should introduce and emphasise knowledge of data analytics from scratch. 

For instance, the UPSI Accounting Society (UPSIAS) came up with an online programme called “Embrace Data Analytics For Your Accounting Career” on Jan 8, 2022. 

This event was enlivened by the Citizen Data Science, Data Analytics and Digital Transformation Trainer from DigiRity, MG Ong, to share his insight about data analytics proficiency in the accounting profession. 

Undeniably, participants learned more about the functions, benefits and career opportunities of data analytics. 

Students must bear in mind that applying data analytics is a safeguard against ethical misconduct such as fraud on financial statements and administrative management of an entity.

According to Rahul Reddy Nadikattu, who wrote in the International Journal of Engineering, Sciences and Mathematics, data analytics seeks to provide operational insights into tricky business circumstances.

Therefore, solving complex problems by using unprocessed data from business entities should be taken into account by future graduates. 

In conjunction with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, data analytics is a fundamental skill that should be adopted by them for better analysis, evaluation, prediction and decision-making.

Moreover, enhancement of data analytics tools workshops and webinars could boost students’ participation. 

UPSIAS organised a workshop online called “Master Microsoft Excel 101: Everything You Wanted To Know” for all higher learning institution students on Dec 11, 2021. 

UPSIAS invited the planning and capital allocation executive of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Elengeswaran C Ehambaranathan to demonstrate new tips and tricks of Microsoft Excel that participants can practice to smoothen their assignments, projects and future career as well.

As such, it will assist them to get their act together. Indirectly, students’ adroitness to data analytics also can be witnessed easily.

Speaking of which, UPSIAS organised an online competition called “Make It Balance 1.0” from May 10 to 16, 2021. The participants were required to prepare financial statements of a business entity by using Microsoft Excel. 

This competition tested their understanding of using primary data from questions given and transforming it into meaningful information. The challenge was how far they can integrate all information into Microsoft Excel.

It encourages them to use their Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) which entails analysing, evaluating and creating as well as utilising their multiple potentials in solving problems by mastering formulas and functions of spreadsheets. 

To sum up, effective programmes and workshops on developing data analytics skills among future graduates will indicate how far they can advance and break fresh ground in future endeavours.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.