A career in data science demands extensive skillset and merges many subject disciplines under its umbrella, e.g. business logic, statistics, coding knowledge, among others. Hence, it becomes critical for a data science aspirants to acquire as many skills, across multiple subject disciplines that are closely related to data analytics and the science deployed at its back-end. Provided the overwhelmingly high amount of data produced by us each day via desktops, smartphones, and other IoT devices, private organizations and the government is keen on drawing actionable insights out of the huge piles of digital data, collected each day.
Learn Concepts of Predictive Modeling & Deep Learning
While the primary role of a data science professional is to execute on data analysis, however, they perform the same with a central agenda on their minds, which is the formation of predictive models that demand an advanced understanding of deep learning concepts. Data scientists are required to possess a meta-level knowledge about choosing the models that would aptly fit the bill, basis the kind of data available to them for analysis.
All predictive models are founded on the current and future approximations, but they require a little fine-tuning, which happens to be a data scientist’s job. And to do it effectively, the person-in-charge needs to possess a firm command on applied mathematics.
Data Scientists & Engineers – The Differentiation
However, data scientists are not big data engineers, they need to possess some understanding of how databases are created, and how to access data from a company’s DBMS (database management system). Provided, the extensive skillset needs in the data science domain, comprising both, professional training and academic qualifications, the aspirants ought to work intensively hard to bag an entry-level job role.
The situation with the firms hiring data scientists is contrary to that of the aspirants. They are desperately seeking for skilled and well-qualified data scientists, who are rare to find.
Mandatory Qualifications to Become a Data Scientist
Educational Background
Shaping a data science career requires you to be a highly-learned individual. 88% of data scientists around the world hold a master’s degree, while 46% of them have PhDs to their names. The most suited educational backgrounds to forming a rewarding career in data science would be computer science, statistics, mathematics, physical sciences, economics, or related subject disciplines.
Stats say that the maximum data scientists currently active in the industry hold a Mathematics or a Statistics degree (32%), following which, is computer science (19%), further followed by engineering (16%). Acquiring a degree in one of these subjects will prepare you in the best possible manner for a rewarding data science career.
Coding Skills
A piece of profound knowledge in coding, especially in popular data science programming languages like Python and R is a must for each aspirant seeking a career in data analytics. One can learn and grow his coding skills in quick time by enrolling in the best data science certifications, available online, at the click of a mouse.
As a matter of fact, R is one such language, specifically devised for algorithm development in the data analytics domain. One can deploy R to solve a majority of data analytics problems. To establish the same, let us inform you that 43% of data scientists across the world use R to deal with statistical problems.
Python is another important language to master, for potential data scientists, alongside Perl, C/C++, and Java. About 40% of data science professionals practice Python as their preferred coding language.
A Strong Grip on Soft Skills
Data scientists need to deal and communicate with non-technical divisions within the organization. And hence, acquiring soft skills does matter. They must be able to effectively communicate analytical and technical findings to the non-technical people involved in the project. Moreover, being skilled in emotional and behavioral intelligence certainly helps in leadership positions.
