Data Literacy: A Key Skill that’s not just for technical grads

In today’s data-driven world, data literacy is no longer a skill reserved for technical grads. For students in fields like business studies, humanities, and other non-STEM disciplines, understanding how to interpret, analyse, and use data is becoming increasingly important. In the world of work, data literacy is essential for making informed decisions, enhancing critical thinking, and adapting to the digital transformations happening all around us in the world of work.

Developing data literacy as a non-technical graduate will be immeasurably important to securing your first job, whether you’re hoping to enter the job market in business, social sciences, or creative fields.

What is Data Literacy?
Data literacy is the ability to understand, interpret, and communicate data effectively. At its core, it involves:

1. Reading and interpreting data (tables, charts, graphs)
2. Understanding key metrics and statistics relevant to your field
3. Analysing the trends in data and using it to make data-driven decisions
4. Questioning the sources and accuracy of data.

Data literacy is not about mastering complex programming or statistical techniques. Rather, it's about cultivating a mindset that appreciates the power of data in shaping modern business strategies, public policies, and societal insights. Teaching yourself to be data literate will increase your employability, help you to communicate insights more effectively, and make better decisions at work.

Practical Steps to Build Data Literacy
Fortunately, there are some practical steps you can take right now to start building data literacy:

1. Familiarise Yourself with Basic Data Tools

Begin by exploring tools that allow you to visualize and manipulate data. Tools like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are user-friendly and commonly used across industries for data analysis.

Action: Start with simple tasks like creating graphs, performing basic calculations, and interpreting datasets in these tools.

Need help?

• Free resources are available on Learnit Training and others on YouTube
• Certificate courses are available on Udemy for under R 300

2. Learn to Interpret Charts and Graphs
A significant part of data literacy is understanding visual data representations. Learn how to read and critically evaluate different types of charts (e.g., bar graphs, scatter plots, pie charts) and what each is best used for.

Action: Practice interpreting charts in news stories, research papers, or reports from your area of study. Consider how they contribute to the argument being made.

3. Take an Introductory Data Course
Many universities, online platforms, and workshops offer introductory courses specifically designed to teach non-technical students the basics of data literacy. Look for ones that focus on interpreting and using data rather than on specific tools, or complex mathematical or coding skills.

Action: Start by looking for Data Literacy modules at your university, that can be added to your degree as an elective. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning also offer accessible courses on data literacy.

4. Apply Data to Real-World Scenarios
As you build confidence, begin to apply your data literacy to real-world scenarios in your field. For business students, this could involve analysing sales data or market trends. For humanities students, consider applying data to social research, historical trends, or policy analysis.

Action: Look for case studies or reports in your field and try to extract meaningful insights from the data provided.

Need help?

• Explore StatsSA for statistics on all things South Africa, from the latest census to our progress against achieving the UN’s Sustainable Goals.
• Take a look at this article on Scribendi for a round-up of international research sources that you can access for free.

5. Cultivate a Critical Approach to Data
Not all data is reliable or relevant. Develop the habit of questioning data sources, recognising biases in datasets, and understanding the limitations of the data you're working with.

Action: Before accepting data at face value, ask critical questions such as: Where is the data coming from? What assumptions are embedded in the data? How was the data collected?

In an increasingly digital and data-oriented world, being data-literate can significantly enhance your ability to understand and navigate the information age. For business, education and humanities graduates, data literacy opens up new avenues for professional growth, making you more adaptable, informed, and employable in diverse fields. By developing this skill, you can confidently interpret and use data to inform decisions, communicate effectively, and contribute to the ever-expanding digital landscape.

No matter what your career aspirations are, learning to navigate the world of data will be a valuable addition to your skill set.