As data collection increases globally, so have the demand for building a framework and solutions for data storage. These processes have, in turn, given rise to the need for data analysis and processing, and this is where data scientists come in. Thus, data scientists’ role is becoming more vital as more organizations now rely heavily on data analytics to drive decision-making. These businesses also lean on artificial intelligence (AI) technology, automation, and machine learning (ML) to enhance staff productivity and core components of their IT strategies.
Today, we’ll try to understand what data science is and look at all the elements you’ll require to have a data science career.
What is Data Science?
Data science is the process of collecting and analyzing data history using various analytical tools, algorithms, AI, and ML principles. The ultimate purpose of the process is to discover new and futuristic patterns from a large amount of raw data. Although it may seem similar to what statisticians do, the difference lies between explaining and predicting.
Analysis in data science explains what is going on by processing the history of the data. Additionally, data scientists go beyond the exploratory analysis to discover detailed insights from data. They also engage advanced ML algorithms to identify both new and future occurrence of a particular event. In essence, data science revolves around these four primary areas:
- Descriptive data analytics: “What happened?”
- Diagnostic data analytics: “Why did something occur?”
- Predictive data analytics: “What will likely occur?”
- Prescriptive data analytics: “What action(s) need to be taken?”
What Does A Data Scientist Do?
A data scientist works as a professional whose responsibility is to collect, analyze, and discover insights from a ton of structured and unstructured data to help find solutions crucial for the growth of organizations within diffident industries. Their role emanates from several scientific disciplines roles, like statisticians, mathematicians, librarians, scientists, computer scientists.
The type of industry determines what kind of data analysis approach the data scientist will use to provide specific solutions to the needs of an organization or its department. Therefore, it is vital to get accurate information from the company before a data scientist can find meaning from the bulk of structured or unstructured data. It also becomes imperative for a data scientist to have expertise in the business domain to translate business or departmental goals into data-based deliverables like automated tools, optimization algorithms, prediction engines, pattern detection analysis, etc.
To achieve the primary goal of problem-solving, these are some of the secondary tasks a data analyst does on a daily basis:
- Pull, merge and analyze data
- Look for patterns or trends in data
- Use several tools, including R, Tableau, SQL or SAS, Python, Hive, Impala, PySpark, Matlab, Excel, Hadoop, etc., in data analysis and problem-solving
- Develop and test new algorithms
- Look for channels to simplify data problems
- Develop predictive models
- Build data visualizations
- Write out analytical results to share with others. If writing isn’t one of your most potent skills, paper writing reviews websites like Best Writers Online can help with this process.
- Map out proofs of concepts
Qualifications: Education, Training, and Certifications
To have a data science career, you are required to have sufficient educational or soft skills qualifications. For those who go the traditional education route, you must have advanced degrees or masters in data science, computer science, statistics, mathematics, etc. For those who don’t have a degree in these fields, training and certifications can provide the skills necessary to transition to being a data scientist. These courses can boost your resume and increase your data science opportunities.
Some of these certification programs include Microsoft MCSE Data Management and Analytics, SAS Certified Big Data Professional/Data Scientist, Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), IAPA Analytics Credentials, and DASCA Data Science Credentials, etc.
It is essential that before consider applying for such programs. You’ll need to research more on your industry of interest. It’ll enable you to figure out what skills, tools, and software are most relevant. For example, the skill set you will require for working on professional writing services review websites like Online Writers Rating will differ from the skills you’ll need to work within the travel or government sector.
Required Data Scientist Skills
There are skills you need and can help increase your data scientist job application’s success rate. These skills include a mix of hard and soft skills that are not limited to, the following:
- Programming: This is a fundamental data scientist skill that can improve your statistics skills. It can also enable you to analyze large datasets and create your tools. It will help to know about programs such as Hadoop Platform, Python coding, Apache Spark, etc.
- Quantitative analysis: this skill is vital for analyzing large datasets. You can improve the ability to run an experimental study, scale your data strategy, and implement ML with quantitative analysis.
- Product intuition: the skill of product knowledge makes it easier for you to predict data system behavior and establish metrics.
- Management of Structured and Unstructured data: a data scientist should be able to manage structured data collected and organized by categories using electronic devices. They should also be able to manage unstructured data that is bulky and more likely to come from human input, such as emails, customer reviews, videos, social media channels, etc.
- Communication: just as with other professions, an excellent communication skill as a data scientist makes interaction with clients easy, enabling you to leverage on the other listed capabilities.
- Teamwork: as it is with communication, collaboration is another general yet vital skill for a successful data science career. It requires workings in harmony with others, being open to feedback and positive criticism, and knowledge sharing with your team.
Data Scientist Salary
Data science work is a fast-growing and lucrative field. According to a report from Glassdoor, data scientist was number three on the list of the best-paying job for 2020 in the US. At the beginning of the year, a data scientist’s median base salary was $107,801.
Conclusion:
The beauty of establishing a career in data science is that there are several data science opportunities to consider. The demand for data management is more than ever, and this has lead to high order for people with data science and deep analytical qualifications and skills.
However, it is an expensive and highly skilled job, so you’ll first want to figure out your niche before you start applying for data science positions. Once you can understand the client’s needs, you can create a significant positive impact on a business’s success.
Melissa Mauro is a freelance writer who creates quality and original content. She is working for the company Online Writers Rating writing services review. She believes that creativity and improvement are things, which distinguish a good writer.