LIBF blog Business intelligence jobs: what career path can you take with a BI degree?

A business intelligence analyst turns data into decisions that shape a company's future. They aren’t just data experts – they’re storytellers who help businesses navigate complex information and uncover real, actionable value.

Being a BI analyst is about helping businesses act on the right information to stay competitive. You'll extract meaningful insights and create strategies that business stakeholders can implement. Whether you're building dashboards or presenting findings, your ability to make data accessible is key.

As a data analyst, you’re the detective of the data world, transforming raw information to uncover patterns and trends that others might miss. Whether it’s customer behaviour or sales forecasts, you turn numbers into insights businesses can use.

Using programming languages like SQL, Python, and R, you’ll use data manipulation to make sense of large datasets. Each discovery you make has the potential to directly influence a company’s future direction.

Be the architect behind the tools transforming raw data into business-changing insights. You build dashboards, reports, and visualisations that allow decision-makers to turn data into clear strategies.

With tools like Power BI and Tableau, you ensure that data flows smoothly and is easily interpreted. Your work empowers teams to act confidently, making data-driven decisions that drive success.

As a business intelligence architect, you design the framework that powers a company’s data systems, building infrastructure that aligns with business goals.

At this high level, you collaborate with IT teams, business leaders, and senior executives to create efficient, scalable, and future-proof systems. A key part of the role is ensuring data security and protecting sensitive information while allowing teams to access the data they need to make informed decisions.

A BI consultant solves problems, stepping into businesses to unlock the full potential of their data. From advising on general business administration to implementing BI tools, your role spans industries.

Every client is different, and the variety in your work means you’ll never have the same challenge twice. You’re there to ensure companies get the most out of their data analysis, giving them the knowledge and strategies to stay competitive in a data-driven world.

Data science goes beyond traditional analytics, using machine learning and predictive modelling to forecast trends and help businesses prepare for the future. Identify patterns and develop algorithms that inform strategic choices.

Using technical skills related to computer science and information technology, you'll design models that anticipate what comes next. Your ability to transform raw information into forward-looking insights is critical in helping companies stay ahead.

Understand people – what they want, how they think, and what they’re likely to do next. Research analysts gather and interpret data about consumer preferences and competitor activities, helping companies anticipate market trends and shape their brand strategies.

Using BI tools and other statistical methods, you'll turn market intelligence, sales figures, and customer feedback into actionable insights that influence everything from product development to marketing campaigns, helping companies stay competitive.

Design and uphold the systems that enable data processing and analysis. Data engineers design data pipelines and data warehousing systems that allow data to move efficiently through the organisation and ensure it’s always available for teams to access.

With a working knowledge of programming languages like Python, SQL, and Java, you'll work closely with BI teams to manipulate data and ensure it moves efficiently across platforms. Your role will be at the core of the data ecosystem, supporting the work that powers data-driven decisions.