The demand and craze for a data scientist career are not going anywhere in the next few decades. It is the most sought-after career opportunity across the globe. Data scientists are the most crucial employees of an organization because they have a lot of responsibilities and operations to perform. Every industry and business sector hires data science professionals and data scientists to leverage data-driven decisions for business support. So, this article comprises some essential points that every data science aspirant should pay attention to for excelling in their career as a Data Scientist.
Who are data scientists?
Data scientists are data professionals who extract, process and interpret data in a meaningful fashion to align them with business goals. It is the most trending job role of the 21st century. They are responsible for predicting and analyzing the most twisted data for business insight. They use data science and machine learning algorithms to dissect and interpret complex data that allows business executives to make informed decisions.
They should have proficiency in statistics, mathematics, programming, ML, AI, etc. They are data science professionals with 7 to 8 years of experience working in diverse verticals. A data scientist should have a minimum qualification of Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, statistics, or mathematics.
What secret sauce does an aspirant need to prepare to excel as a data scientist?
Here are some excellent pathways you can follow to transform yourself into an exceptional data scientist:
i) Data science project: The data scientist’s job role is to solve business problems. Working on real-life or dummy problem-solving projects gives aspirants a clear step ahead. Pick a company, start-up, or mid-sized company, research them, and prepare a robust project that can solve a particular aspect of any company. Aspirants, students, or professionals with such an attitude towards problem-solving during their graduations or incubation period will give them an upper edge among their peers. By doing such projects, they can know the algorithms & tools that are beneficial and solve specific problems.
ii) Internship and/or Job: One of the best ways of impressing a recruiter is to get an internship during or just after graduation. For freshers, internships are the best way to get ample knowledge from the seniors and working professionals. Now, to be honest, getting an internship as a data science professional is not a piece of cake. Getting into the corporate world and sharing your resume requires logical connections in platforms like LinkedIn and other job-searching sites. To become a data scientist in less than 5 to 7 years, you need to groom your data science skills from the very early stage. A corporate job with experience in this field (through internships) can make you excel later as a data scientist.
iii) High proficiency in Programming: Programming is the only way aspirants can communicate with computers and other digital systems. The same statement goes for data science as well. You do not have to be the best in programming, but an intermediate level of knowledge or understanding of the logic behind the syntaxes and functions can excel your career in data science. Programming abilities are in demand for the role of data scientists as well. Programming languages like Python, R, Matlab, etc., are some popular languages to excel your career in data science.
iv) Freelancing: The freelance market has been experiencing a boom over the past decade. Many freelancers are actively working in data science and catering their services to different organizations. This option works well for those studying or not having time for full-time opportunities. Taking freelance live projects and putting efforts to solve the problems for the business will gradually help you get insight into the practical aspect of data science.
v) Data visualization: It is the graphical depiction of data and information so that business executives can easily understand them and make informed decisions. Visualizations enable successful communication and guiding of business decisions. Hence, you should sharpen their skills in creating proper data visuals. Such skills can help you excel in your career as a data scientist. Plotting libraries in Python and R programming aids data science professionals in constructing appealing visuals to make the data talk through those charts and plots.
vi) Machine learning: Machine learning is a booming terminology, and every multi-national company is leveraging it, reaping the benefits. ML is changing the way technology and automation used to work. Machine learning algorithms use frameworks and libraries that allow developers to train their machines. Professionals with proficiency in data science and AI can work on ML to train their models. ML skills are the most sought-after skills to excel in the data scientist career.
Apart from technical skills, there are a few non-technical skills whose presence will allow you to prosper in this vertical.
i) Effective communication skills: Laying a good connection with your teammates, classmates and effectively expressing your thoughts with peers is also a skill every organization looks for in their employees. As a data science professional or data scientist, it is essential to express the prediction or the insight that the data reflects.
ii) Analytical skill and curiosity: Critical thinking is an asset to the organization, especially for those organizations that leverage data analysis and machine learning. In addition to uncovering insights, you have to frame questions accurately and apprehend how the results correlate with the business so executives can make decisions.
iii) Business goals and objectives: Understanding the business side of the company is a treasured skill. It makes an employee stand out from the rest of his peers. Getting a clear idea of the business goals will allow data scientists to integrate that knowledge with data science for solving real-world business problems.
We hope this comprehension has given you a clear idea of how to excel in your career as a data scientist. Data scientist is the most flourishing career, and aspirants from different sectors can start as data science professionals. Almost every company relies on data analysis and data-driven predictions for exerting critical business decisions.
