You should typically have at least basic computer skills, such as how to use windowing systems and how to cut, copy, and paste text, before starting to learn data management. Strong reading and math skills can also be useful when learning some data management concepts. Additionally, it can help if you are familiar with spreadsheets, which can be used for storing large amounts of data and organizing data sets for easier analysis and management. It can also help to have studied the foundational concepts of financial technology, Google Docs, Google Slides, and business systems analysis.
People who enjoy using computer technology to perform complex tasks are typically best suited for roles in data management. This is because large corporations can collect vast amounts of data that data managers then organize into usable data sets, store, and retrieve when needed. People entering this field can also typically have strong critical thinking and analytical skills. Being highly organized is a trait that people who are well suited for data management careers have, and a careful eye for detail is also typically important in this area.
Data science and data engineering are two of the topics you can study that are related to data management. You could also pair your study of data management with the study of financial technology or IT project management. You could choose to study the related topics of data integrity or business intelligence. MongoDB, Google Cloud Platform, and BigQuery are three specific programs you could study that are related to data management.
Laboratories, hospitals, and government agencies are three places that typically hire people who have backgrounds in data management. Manufacturing businesses can also hire people with data management backgrounds to maintain databases. Transportation and logistics firms can also hire people with this background to perform large data mining projects or to manage information about drivers, vehicles, customers, and routes in a database. Additionally, organizations that manage a large amount of data, such as insurance companies and educational institutions, typically look for candidates who have data management experience to ensure the proper handling of client information.