The data scientist is a role that frequently tops the best jobs in America lists as it is a field that is growing incredibly quickly; jobs are in-demand and can be lucrative. Data scientists can play a pivotal role in the success of a company by collecting, analyzing and interpreting enormous sets of data which can help a business to make informed intelligent business decisions. Many people are now eyeing a career in data science, and for a good reason, so it is worth taking a closer look at this field so that you can determine whether or not it is the right career path for you.
You Need an Advanced Degree
An advanced degree is not only important for learning the technical skills and business knowledge that is needed to excel but also because as many as 95% of data scientists have an advanced degree so you will struggle without one. Fortunately, you can earn an online masters in Data Science which will make it much easier to obtain, and you can fit study around your schedule.
It Will Become Incredibly Competitive
With so many people looking at a career in data science as there are so many perks, you must also consider that this means that it will become highly competitive in years to come. This means you will have to find ways to stand out from the crowd to find work, which you can achieve through making a great first impression, a solid portfolio with great references and a passion for what you do.
You Need A Range of Primary & Secondary Skills
Data scientists need a range of skills to succeed in their role. You will need very strong technical skills which will include programming languages, big data processing frameworks, query languages and applied statistics just to name a few. What is sometimes overlooked, though, are the secondary skills, which include the ability to present your findings, good communication skills and business acumen.
You Have to See the Big Picture
Leading on from this, as a data scientist, you need to be able to look past the data and see the big picture from the business’s point of view. While it is up to management to determine the best course of action based on your findings, you also need to have a solid understanding of the company, their goals and what challenges/issues that they face are so that you can help them to find success.
It Is Helpful to Engage with The Community
There is a large and growing data science community, and it is a good idea to engage with this community as early as possible. In addition to benefiting from advice and guidance, you can also form strong connections that could help to open new doors, act as references or introduce you to someone that is hiring. As you may expect, there is a big online data science community, but you should also make an effort to network in person too even if you are shy.
A career in data science could be incredibly rewarding and lucrative, and hopefully, this post will help you to decide whether or not it is right for you.
