A well-informed business is a well-run business, and thanks to Ratna Joshi and her team, Level 3 Communications is just that.

Joshi, a business intelligence manager, creates reports and dashboards with the help of her team that help Broomfield, CO-based Level 3 make well-informed business and investment decisions. For instance, she recently worked on a project that accessed all of Level 3’s products and revealed areas where the solutions had the potential for more growth.

“This project,” she says, “provided visibility into the areas of the business that need additional focus and attention to get services installed quickly to serve our customers.”

With a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in electrical engineering, Joshi’s role is well-aligned with her passion for data. “I like to analyze data and create charts or graphs to illustrate the meaning of the data to help the company make fact-based decisions.”

The great demand for these types of data-informed business decisions at Level 3 and elsewhere in business convinces Joshi that the job outlook for those with an aptitude for and interest in a career in data is bright. “There’s an immense need for individuals who can process big data and then create meaningful conclusions,” she says.

At Level 3 for eight years, part of what drew Joshi to the company is its global nature: “I get to work on projects related to data from around the globe. I love that I work with people from India, Great Britain and Brazil, all in one day.”

She was also drawn to company for the work it does. “The company is literally changing the way the world communicates,” says Joshi. “Level 3’s technology underlies much of the ‘hot tech’ today like over-the-top video and virtual reality. It’s an exciting, yet behind-the-scenes industry.”

Great coworkers, internal programs for personal development, and networking opportunities, such as employee resource groups, are other perks.

To prepare for a career in data and business intelligence, a number of technical skills, including experience in SQL language, SQL Server Suite and analytical thinking, are required, says Joshi. But soft skills like communication and teamwork are also critical, and she finds herself exercising these skills on a regular basis.

“Decoding the actual needs of some of my internal clients can be a challenge. They may not exactly know what they need or the right language to describe what they need,” she says. “I have to work with them to determine their end goal and provide a good solution to their problem or question. It’s always a great opportunity to fine-tune my soft skills and become a better communicator.”

Joshi also encourages young professionals to surround themselves with people who have the qualities they individually lack. “I’m always learning and growing with the help of my coworkers,” she notes.

Peruse level3.com/en/careers to view Level 3 Communications career opportunities. Connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube and Google+.