What is Data Science?
You’ve probably heard the term “data science” thrown around, but what does it really mean?
by Yasmin Ali, Aug 13, 2020 10 a.m. PST
What exactly is data science?
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been hearing this term getting thrown around in tech circles. The odds are also likely that you’ve heard about how lucrative and rewarding this particular career path can be. We’ll dissect this entire industry down for you and help you understand how acquiring these skills can drastically alter the trajectory of your career path and set you up for lucrative job prospects.
What Do Data Scientists Do?
Over the last several years, Data Scientists have started becoming recognized as indispensable cogs within most organizations. It is imperative that Data Scientists be strong with regards to their knowledge of statistics, linear algebra, and programming. These professionals are known for being able to create intricate quantitative algorithms that can be used to systematize and produce large quantities of data. Data Scientists must, of course, be well-versed in their technical and data skills, but that doesn’t mean that their only task is to code. On the contrary, these professionals are extremely well-rounded and tend to possess terrific communication and leadership skills. In addition, Data Scientists feature a strong ability to communicate technical knowledge in an easy-to-understand manner to their non-technical counterparts within the organization.
Technical skills and languages data scientists tend to possess:
- R
- Python
- Apache Hadoop
- MapReduce
- ApacheSpark
- NoSQL Databases
- Cloud Computing
- D3
- Apache Pig
- Tablea
- iPython Notebooks
- GitHub
Why you might consider a career in data science
In 2018, Data Scientist was ranked by Glassdoor as the #1 job in America, for the third consecutive year. The reality is that larger and larger quantities of data are becoming readily available. Tech businesses are no longer the only companies who find themselves in dire need of data scientists. As if that wasn’t already enough, these positions have a large, widespread demand and an insufficient supply of qualified professionals to fill that demand. According to Indeed, the position boasts an average base salary of $124,251. Additionally, there remain an estimated 4,524 job openings. The demand for this lucrative position fails to display any signs of regression, rather, it seems as though professionals with these skills are continuing to become sought after to greater and greater extents.
How can you become a Data Scientist?
One of the simplest ways to jump into this field is to attend a Data Science Bootcamp. Many can’t people afford to spend four years of their time and tens of thousands of dollars for college. A bootcamp allows you to acquire the skills that you need to land the job that you desire. You can complete an entire bootcamp in a few months’ time, at a mere fraction of the cost of a college degree.
Perhaps what’s best about joining a bootcamp is that you will be learning from industry professionals who live and breathe this field. You will absorbing first-hand knowledge from people who are working the jobs that you are seeking to land. You will be able to acquire knowledge/information from instructors, in addition to being able to ask all of the pressing questions that you want.
In conclusion
We live in a day and age in which the IT sector continues to blossom and grow. The era of data has dawned upon us, and there is an abundance of high-paying jobs that constantly remain up for grabs. It’s time to re-tool and to equip ourselves with knowledge that can forever alter the course of our career trajectories. Don’t miss out on this red-hot opportunity, skill up now!
Interested in jumping into Data Science, but not sure how to start? Check out our Intro to Data Analytics Course!
Already have a grasp on Data Science, but looking to take your knowledge to the next level? Check out our Advanced Data Analytics Course!
