For graduates who enjoy working with numbers, technology, dashboards and business information, an internship can be an important first step towards a career in data analytics and Business Intelligence. The Analytics & Reporting Intern opportunity at GBS, within the Cubix division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, offers aspiring analysts an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience while developing skills in reporting, data analysis and visualisation.

The position is particularly relevant to graduates and final-year students who want to move into careers such as Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst, Business Analyst or Data Visualisation Specialist.

The programme provides exposure to Microsoft Power BI and operational datasets while allowing the successful intern to work with experienced teams. Rather than focusing only on theoretical knowledge, the role introduces candidates to how businesses use data to monitor performance, understand customers, identify trends and make informed decisions.

The internship is structured as a 12-month paid programme, which can be particularly valuable for graduates who have completed their studies but need workplace experience before competing for permanent positions.

This article explains the opportunity, what an Analytics & Reporting Intern is likely to do, the requirements, skills that can improve your chances, possible career progression, interview preparation and salary expectations in the South African analytics industry.

About the GBS/Cubix Analytics & Reporting Internship

The position is advertised by GBS within the Cubix division and is based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Cubix describes its internship programme as an environment where interns can learn, grow, collaborate and gain practical exposure while contributing to business operations.

The Analytics & Reporting Intern will support reporting and business insight activities involving areas such as:

• Sales performance
• Lead management
• Customer operations
• Contact centre performance
• Operational reporting
• Business dashboards
• Data analysis
• Data quality

The position is designed for someone who is curious about data and wants to understand how information can be transformed into useful business insights.

For a graduate who has studied Business Analytics, Information Systems, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics or Computer Science, this can be a relevant opportunity to begin applying academic knowledge in a commercial environment.

What Does an Analytics & Reporting Intern Do?

An Analytics & Reporting Intern helps experienced analysts and business teams collect, organise, analyse and present information.

A major part of the role involves working with reports and dashboards.

A dashboard allows decision-makers to see important information in an accessible format. Instead of reading hundreds of rows of data, a manager might use a dashboard to quickly determine whether sales are increasing, whether customer service targets are being achieved or whether a particular operational area is experiencing problems.

The intern will assist with developing and maintaining these reporting solutions.

The position also involves gathering and validating information from different business systems.

This means the intern needs to understand that data must be accurate before it can be used to make business decisions.

Working With Power BI

One of the most important technologies mentioned in the vacancy is Microsoft Power BI.

Power BI is widely used for business reporting and data visualisation.

For an aspiring analyst, learning Power BI can be a valuable career investment.

The intern may gain exposure to activities such as:

• Building reports
• Creating dashboards
• Connecting to datasets
• Designing visualisations
• Filtering information
• Analysing trends
• Presenting key performance indicators
• Maintaining existing reports

Candidates who already have basic Power BI knowledge can potentially stand out from applicants who have only studied analytics theoretically.

However, applicants should not become discouraged if their Power BI knowledge is limited.

The vacancy specifically presents the internship as an opportunity to learn.

Data Collection and Validation

Before creating a dashboard, analysts need reliable data.

The intern will assist with gathering, validating and analysing information from different business systems.

Data validation is important because inaccurate information can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

For example, if a report incorrectly counts customer interactions, management could make decisions based on an incorrect understanding of operational performance.

An analytics professional therefore needs to ask questions such as:

• Is the data complete?
• Are there duplicate records?
• Are values missing?
• Are dates correctly recorded?
• Are categories consistent?
• Does the information make sense?
• Does the report agree with the source data?

Developing this mindset early can be extremely useful for a future analytics career.

Producing Business Reports

The intern will assist with producing recurring and ad hoc reports for business stakeholders.

A recurring report might be produced daily, weekly or monthly.

An ad hoc report is generally created in response to a specific business question.

For example, management might want to understand why sales performance changed during a particular period.

The analyst could be asked to examine the data and provide information that helps explain the change.

This teaches an important lesson about analytics:

Data analysis is not simply about creating charts. It is about answering business questions.

Monitoring Key Performance Indicators

The role involves monitoring operational and sales performance metrics.

These metrics, often referred to as KPIs, help organisations determine whether they are achieving their objectives.

Examples could include:

• Sales volumes
• Conversion rates
• Lead volumes
• Customer service performance
• Contact centre activity
• Response times
• Productivity
• Operational efficiency

The exact KPIs used will depend on the business and the department.

An aspiring analyst should learn to understand not only what a KPI measures but also why it matters.

Identifying Trends and Patterns

Another important responsibility is helping identify trends, patterns and opportunities in business data.

For example, data might reveal that customer demand is increasing during certain periods.

Another analysis might show that a particular sales channel generates more successful leads.

A contact centre report could reveal that performance drops during particular times of the day.

These insights can help management make better decisions.

This is where analytical thinking becomes particularly important.

Why Data Quality Matters

Data quality is one of the less glamorous but most important areas of analytics.

A beautiful dashboard is not useful if the underlying data is wrong.

The intern will therefore assist with data quality and reporting improvement initiatives.

Good analysts develop a habit of checking their work.

Before distributing a report, they should ask whether the numbers make sense and whether the report answers the question it was designed to answer.

Working With Data Engineers

The vacancy also indicates that the intern will work with Data Engineers and business teams.

This is valuable because analytics is rarely performed in isolation.

Data Engineers often help create and maintain the systems and pipelines that make data available.

Business users understand the operational requirements.

Analysts sit between these areas by transforming data into information that decision-makers can understand.

Working alongside these different professionals can help an intern develop a broader understanding of the data environment.

Documenting KPIs and Business Definitions

The position also involves helping document business definitions, KPIs and reporting requirements.

This is an important professional skill.

Different departments can sometimes use the same term to mean different things.

For example, one department might define an “active customer” differently from another.

If definitions are not documented, reports can become confusing or inconsistent.

Good documentation helps ensure everyone understands what a particular metric means.

Minimum Requirements for the Internship

Candidates need to meet the programme’s stated eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be South African citizens
• Have a National Senior Certificate/Grade 12
• Have completed a relevant degree or diploma
• Be between 18 and 35 years old
• Have a clear criminal record
• Have a clear ITC record
• Not currently be employed
• Not currently be participating in another internship or learnership programme

The relevant academic fields include:

• Business Analytics
• Information Systems
• Data Science
• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Related fields

Candidates should also have a basic understanding of databases and SQL.

Basic Excel and SQL skills are specifically useful for the role.

Skills That Increase Your Chances of Getting Selected

Meeting the minimum requirements is only the starting point.

Candidates can improve their competitiveness by developing practical skills.

1. Microsoft Power BI

Power BI should be high on the learning list for anyone interested in this opportunity.

Learn how to:

• Import data
• Clean data
• Create basic relationships
• Build charts
• Create dashboards
• Use filters
• Create basic measures
• Present KPIs

Even a small personal Power BI project can give you something meaningful to discuss during an interview.

2. SQL

SQL is another important skill for analytics professionals.

Learn basic commands such as:

• SELECT
• WHERE
• GROUP BY
• ORDER BY
• JOIN
• COUNT
• SUM
• AVG

Understanding SQL helps analysts work with structured databases and retrieve the information they need.

3. Excel

Do not underestimate Excel.

Many organisations continue to use spreadsheets extensively.

Candidates should ideally understand:

• Sorting
• Filtering
• Basic formulas
• IF statements
• XLOOKUP
• Pivot tables
• Charts
• Conditional formatting
• Data cleaning

4. Analytical Thinking

Employers want people who can think beyond the numbers.

If sales fall, an analyst should not simply report that sales fell.

They should ask:

Why did sales fall?

That question leads to deeper analysis.

5. Attention to Detail

Analytics requires careful checking.

A small error in a formula can change an entire report.

6. Communication

An analyst may work with people who have little technical knowledge.

You need to explain findings in simple language.

7. Problem-Solving

Data problems are common.

You may encounter missing information, inconsistent values or reports that do not balance.

You need to investigate rather than simply ignore the problem.

8. Curiosity

Curiosity is particularly important for an analytics career.

Ask questions.

Explore data.

Look for patterns.

Challenge assumptions.

9. Presentation Skills

A good analysis has limited value if nobody understands it.

Learn how to present information clearly using charts, dashboards and concise explanations.

Why This Job Is Worth Applying For

Practical Experience

One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to gain real workplace experience.

Graduates frequently struggle because entry-level jobs ask for previous experience.

An internship can help address this gap.

Exposure to Business Intelligence

The position provides exposure to Power BI, reporting and business analytics.

These are useful areas for someone considering a technology or data career.

A 12-Month Programme

A longer internship gives you more time to understand workplace processes and develop practical skills.

You can potentially participate in multiple reporting cycles and projects rather than receiving only a short introduction to the workplace.

Paid Internship

The opportunity is advertised as a paid internship.

This provides financial support while allowing the intern to gain professional experience.

Exposure to Real Business Data

Working with operational and customer datasets can teach you things that online courses cannot fully replicate.

Real data is often messy.

Learning how to deal with that reality is valuable.

Professional Networking

You will have opportunities to work with analysts, data professionals, business teams and other colleagues.

Building professional relationships can help you understand the industry and future career opportunities.

Career Growth Opportunities

An analytics internship can provide a foundation for several career paths.

Junior Data Analyst

A common next step is a Junior Data Analyst position.

Junior analysts typically assist with data preparation, reporting, dashboards and analysis.

Reporting Analyst

If you enjoy creating reports and monitoring KPIs, reporting can become a specialised career direction.

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help organisations understand performance and make better decisions.

Experience with Power BI, SQL and data modelling can become particularly valuable.

Data Visualisation Specialist

If you enjoy presenting complex information visually, you may eventually specialise in data visualisation.

Business Analyst

Analytics experience can also provide a pathway towards business analysis.

Business Analysts focus more heavily on business requirements, processes and solutions, although data skills remain valuable.

Data Scientist

A longer-term pathway could lead towards Data Science.

However, this normally requires deeper knowledge of statistics, programming, mathematics and machine learning.

Analytics Manager

With significant experience and leadership development, professionals can eventually move into management positions.

How to Build a Portfolio Before Applying

A portfolio can be extremely useful for aspiring analysts.

You do not need access to a corporate database.

Use publicly available or fictional datasets.

For example, create a Power BI project analysing fictional retail sales.

Your project could contain:

• Total sales
• Monthly sales
• Sales by product
• Sales by region
• Top-performing products
• Customer trends
• Monthly growth

Then explain what the data appears to show.

You could also create a simple SQL project demonstrating how you retrieve and summarise data.

A portfolio gives an interviewer something concrete to discuss.

Interview Preparation Tips

Research the Company

Before the interview, learn about GBS and Cubix.

Understand the type of environment in which the internship operates.

Understand the Role

Do not attend the interview knowing only that “they use Power BI.”

Understand the broader purpose of the role.

You will be supporting reporting, data validation, dashboards and business decision-making.

Revise Power BI

If you have used Power BI, practise before the interview.

Be able to explain a project you created.

Revise SQL

Know basic SQL concepts.

You may be asked how you would retrieve information from a database.

Prepare for Excel Questions

Make sure you understand basic spreadsheet functions.

Prepare Examples

Think of university or personal projects where you:

• Analysed information
• Solved a problem
• Worked with a team
• Met a deadline
• Presented findings
• Corrected an error

You do not need previous employment experience to demonstrate these abilities.

Be Honest About Your Skill Level

Do not claim to be an advanced SQL developer if you only know SELECT statements.

Employers understand that interns are still learning.

It is better to say:

“I have basic SQL knowledge and have been developing my skills through practical projects.”

That demonstrates honesty and willingness to learn.

Possible Interview Questions

Why are you interested in analytics?

Explain what attracts you to working with data and how your qualification supports that interest.

What is Power BI?

Give a simple explanation of Power BI as a business intelligence and data visualisation platform.

What is SQL used for?

Explain that SQL can be used to query, retrieve and manipulate information stored in relational databases.

Why is data quality important?

Explain that inaccurate or incomplete data can produce unreliable reports and lead to poor business decisions.

What would you do if two reports showed different numbers?

Explain that you would investigate the source data, definitions, filters, formulas and refresh times before drawing conclusions.

Tell us about a project where you worked with data.

Use a university, college or personal project.

How would you explain a complicated analysis to someone without a technical background?

Explain that you would focus on the business question, use clear language and present the most important findings visually.

Salary Expectations

The vacancy describes the position as a 12-month paid internship, but it does not specify the exact monthly stipend.

Applicants should therefore confirm the stipend with the employer during the recruitment process.

It would be misleading to treat a general “data analyst salary” as the salary for this particular internship because internship stipends and permanent employee salaries are different.

Once an individual moves into permanent analytics employment, compensation can increase significantly depending on experience, qualifications, technical skills, industry and job level.

Skills such as SQL, Power BI, Excel, data modelling, Python, reporting automation and statistical analysis can improve long-term earning potential.

More senior professionals, including experienced Business Intelligence Analysts, Data Analysts, Data Engineers and Analytics Managers, generally command higher compensation than entry-level professionals.

For an intern, however, the immediate priority should be building strong practical experience and a demonstrable portfolio.

Similar Jobs to Search For

If you are interested in this internship, search for other roles using different job titles.

Useful search terms include:

• Analytics Intern
• Data Analyst Intern
• Business Intelligence Intern
• Reporting Intern
• Business Analytics Intern
• Data Science Intern
• BI Intern
• Junior Data Analyst
• Reporting Analyst
• Junior BI Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Visualisation Intern
• Data Analyst Graduate
• Business Analyst Intern
• SQL Intern
• Power BI Intern
• Data Reporting Intern
• Graduate Data Analyst
• Analytics Graduate Programme

Searching using several titles can help you find opportunities that use different terminology for similar work.

How to Make Your CV Stronger

Your CV should make it easy for a recruiter to identify your qualification and technical abilities.

Include your relevant degree or diploma prominently.

Then create a technical skills section.

For example:

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Excel
• SQL
• Power BI
• Data analysis
• Data visualisation
• Database fundamentals
• Reporting
• Microsoft Office

Only include skills you genuinely possess.

If your Power BI knowledge is basic, describe it honestly.

You can also include academic and personal projects.

For example:

Power BI Sales Dashboard Project

Created an interactive dashboard using a sample sales dataset to analyse monthly revenue, product performance and regional trends.

This is more useful than simply writing “Power BI” on a CV because it demonstrates application.

How to Stand Out Without Work Experience

Many graduates believe that they cannot compete because they have never worked before.

That is not necessarily true.

You can demonstrate capability through:

• Academic projects
• Personal data projects
• Volunteer work
• Student societies
• Online certifications
• Portfolio projects
• Excel dashboards
• SQL exercises
• Power BI dashboards

Your goal is to show the employer that you are not only interested in analytics but that you have already started learning how to work with data.

Important Qualities for an Analytics Career

Technology changes quickly.

A tool you learn today may look different in a few years.

Therefore, the most valuable long-term skill is the ability to learn.

The successful analyst needs to combine technical skills with:

• Curiosity
• Business understanding
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Accuracy
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability

Technology can help produce a dashboard.

It cannot automatically determine what the business should do with the information.

That is where human judgement becomes important.

Final Thoughts

The Analytics & Reporting Intern opportunity at GBS/Cubix in Durban offers an interesting entry point for graduates and qualifying young South Africans who want to develop careers in data, reporting and Business Intelligence.

The role provides practical exposure to Power BI, SQL, Excel, reporting, dashboards, data validation, KPI monitoring and business analysis.

For candidates studying or holding qualifications in Business Analytics, Information Systems, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields, the internship can provide an opportunity to turn academic knowledge into practical workplace experience.

The strongest applicants should focus on more than simply meeting the academic requirements.

Develop your Excel skills.

Learn SQL.

Practise Power BI.

Build a small portfolio.

Understand data quality.

Learn how to explain numbers in simple language.

Most importantly, develop curiosity.

The purpose of analytics is not simply to produce spreadsheets or attractive dashboards. It is to help organisations understand what is happening, why it is happening and what they might do next.

For someone starting a career in the data industry, a 12-month internship can provide an important foundation. With continued learning and practical experience, today’s intern could eventually progress into roles such as Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Scientist or Analytics Manager.

If you are eligible and genuinely interested in working with data, reporting and technology, this is the type of internship worth considering as part of your career-building strategy.