The Video gives a clear overview of what Data Analysts actually do and why their role is so important in today's data driven world. It explain how analysts prepare data, build visualisations, and support business goals.(edureka!, 2023)

The Video shows the real challenges that data professional face everyday. from handling messy data to meeting security rules, the job requires attention to detail and strong problem solving skills. It also highlights how collaboration with teams and understanding business needs is just as important as technical knowledge .(edureka!, 2018)

Data Specialists

Data Specialist are essential in any organisation that works with large amounts of information. Their job isn't just about analysing numbers, but also about ensuring that data is accurate, protected, and used responsibly.

They play a key role in helping businesses make smart decisions by transforming raw data into useful insights. From collecting and cleaning data to creating reports and dashboards, their work supports every part of the organisation from marketing to management.(IBM, 2024a)

Roles & Responsibilities

Many people are curious about what a Data Analyst actually does day to day.

In this video (Alex The Analyst, 2020) provides a clear explanation of the responsibilities, tools, and workflows involved in this role. He highlights how analysts work with large datasets, use tools like SQL and Excel, and create meaningful reports to support business decisions. According to (Alex The Analyst, 2020) , the job is not just about numbers, it's about solving real problems, understanding trends, and helping teams make smart choices based on data.

Data Analyst

Data Analyst are professionals who work with data to help organisations make better decisions. Their tasks include collecting, organising, and analysing large datasets to identify patterns, solve problems, and support business goals. They often work with tools like Excel, Power Bi or Tableau to build charts, dashboards, and reports that clearly communicate results.

Their role requires both technical knowledge and strong analytical thinking. By turning raw data into meaningful insights, Data Analysts help different departments, from marketing to finance to understand performance and make informed choices based on facts, not assumptions.

In their day-to-day work, Data Analysts often face real-world technical challenges such as dealing with incompletye or inconsistent data, aligning reports between departments, and making insights understandable for non- technical teams. For example they might spend hours cleaning large datasets from customer feedback or transaction logs using SQL or Excel.(Jessup, 2023)

Data Engineering plays a crucial role in modern organisations by building the systems that allow data to be collected, stored, and used effectively. A well designed data infrastructure ensures that data is accurate, accessible, and ready for analysis. As shown in the video by (Seatle Data Guy, 2023) , data engineers are responsible for creating pipelines and workflows that process vast volumes of information, helping analysts and other specialist to extract insights that support strategic decisions.

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is a professional who builds and maintains the systems that collect, organize, and move data. Their job is to ensure that the data is accurate, well-structured, and accessible for other data specialists like Analysts or Scientists.

They often work with cloud platforms, databases, and coding tools to make sure that data flows smoothly between systems. Their role is essential in maintaining the infrastructure that supports data pipelines and storage solutions.

In real world environments, Data Engineers often face challenges such as pipeline failures, data duplication, or inconsistent formats when integrating data from multiple sources. They must troubleshoot quickly and ensure that large volume of data can be processed reliably and efficiently, especially in live-streaming contexts or cloud- based system.(Belcic and Stryker, 2024)

For example, at Nike, a Data Engineer might create a system that collects information from websites, mobile apps, or even smart devices like running shoes equipped with sensors.(Sneha Biswas, 2020)

Data Scientists use a mix of statistics, coding, and business knowledge to turn data into useful insights. They work with structured and unstructured data, using tools like Python, R, and SQL to clean, analyse, and model information. Their goal is to solve real world problems and help companies make better decisions, whether it's improving marketing campaigns, predicting trends, or designing smarter products. According to (Simplilearn, 2018) , Data Science involves collecting, understanding, and using data to generate real impact in different industries.

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is a professional who uses data to answer complex questions. They work with large and diverse datasets, applying coding, statistics, and machine learning to uncover hidden patterns. Tools like Python help them create predictive models that support smarter business decisions.

Data Scientists often deal with messy, incomplete, or biased data that can affect model accuracy. They must clean and pre-process data carefully and select the right algorithms to avoid misleading results.(IBM, 2021)

For example, an Nike, a data scientists might predict which products will be popular next season or identify which marketing campaigns will generate the best results. Their work transform raw data into valuable insights that help companies grow and innovate.(Sneha Biswas, 2020)

A Database Administrator (DBA) plays a vital role in maintaining the backbone of an organization's data ecosystem. They design database structures, assign permissions, schedule backups, and monitor performance to prevent data loss and ensure smooth access. In the content from (Neso Academy, 2022) it's shown how DBA's also troubleshoot errors and optimise system reliability. Skills essential for protecting an organisation's most valuable asset(Data), and to keep everything secure, organised and ready for everyone who relies on it.

Database Administrator (DBA)

A DBA is a person who manages and protects the company's databases. Their job is to make sure that all the data is stored safely, can be found easily and is only accessed by the right people. They set permissions, fix errors, back up the data and check that everything runs smoothly. A DBA work to reduce the risks of data loss and make sure systems stay available for those who need the.

One of the biggest challenges for DBAs is preventing and recovering from unexpected database failure or cyberattacks. They must constantly monitor for risks, apply security patches, and respond quickly to incidents.(Mullins, 2024)

At Nike The DBA manage the database where all customer information is sored, they make sure it is secure, organized and always available when needed by analysts , engineers or managers.

It is a essential role because is the database stops working or it is attacked, the entire company can be affected.(Nike Careers: Our Stories, 2021)

In today's digital world, protecting data is more important than ever. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays a vital role in this by developing strong security frameworks, identifying cyber threats before they happen. As the video (WiseLearner IT Services LLP, 2024) , the CISO also works closely with IT and legal teams to ensure that sensitive company data is protected, especially in line with laws like GDPR.

Chief Information Security Officer(CISO)['

A Chief information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for protecting a company's data by creating and enforcing cybersecurity policies. Their role includes managing security risks, and responding to incidents like cyberattacks or data leaks. They ensure compliance with legal standards such as CDPR and lead strategies for data privacy.

CISO's deal with a lot of pressure, they have to stop cyberattacks like phishing or ransomware before they cause damage, while still making sure employees can safely access the system they need. If something goes wrong, it's they job to fix it fast and make sure the company stays in line with data law like GDPR(Gregory, 2024)

At Nike, the CISO oversees the protection of personal data collected from millions of customers. Their job is to guarantee that this information stays private, secure, and aligned with global data protections laws.(Nike carees, 2021)

All of these roles data specialists play a key role in helping companies use data the right way. Each role is different, but they all work together to help the company to get the best decisions.

For Nike using data in the right way means more than just understanding numbers, it means working as a team to stay secure, innovative and connected to the customer's needs.

The Value of Data in Decision Making

Data plays a central role in modern business decisions. For a global company as Nike, using data goes beyond simple reporting, it means transforming insights into real-time action. By analysing customer preferences, product feedback, and market trends, Nike is able to design smarter campaigns, improve user experience, and personalise its products to fit market needs.(Sneha Biswas, 2020)

Moreover, Data-driven decision making helps organisations across all departments, from sales and supply chain to marketing and delivery.

According to (Stobierski, 2019b) , data-driven decision making allows businesses to improve products and personalise experiences by relying on accurate, analysed information rather that intuition.

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