Who is a data scientist?
In the last few years, a data scientist has been one of those job roles which has forced various organizations to completely change how they go about their work. The job entails them playing the role of a mathematician and a computer scientist. Raw information is nothing short of a gold mine in today’s world and it can seriously boost a company’s growth and profits and how they conduct business. However, the problem is that it’s a lot of information that needs to be sifted through for it to become useful. This is where a data scientist comes into play as he through his understanding of data brings out various nuanced details about a project that would’ve gone unnoticed otherwise.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Data Scientist
To be able to play the role of data scientist one must be well versed in data science so naturally, the question that arises is what is data science? Data science is a vast field of study, which concerns itself with the great and vast amounts of data and uses various tools to extract meaningful knowledge from it. If one wishes to take on this pursuit, then they must get well-versed in data science. Apart from this some of the most common duties that this line of work entails include:
- Having a clear understanding of machine tools to extract data.
- Intensifying data collection.
- Processing the data to be used for analysis.
- Effectively communicate and collaborate with other divisions of the organization.
Skills Required
The position of a data scientist is a highly sought-after one and naturally, any organization would not hire a person who doesn’t have the required skills. Some must have qualifications and skills required to attain this role in a company are –
- Programming knowledge –- A good knowledge of various programming languages such as Python, Java and C++ is essential if you wish to become a data scientist. Good knowledge of these various languages can make it easier for you to excel in this role.
- Good knowledge of statistics – Raw data often comes in numbers so it becomes important that one is well versed with statistical knowledge. Being proficient in statistical knowledge is the only way you’ll ever hope to become successful in this role.
- Math skills – Since numbers are a massive part of data, it means that you need be strong in mathematics. Linear algebra is something that comes in very handy as it forms the basis for various optimization methods and techniques.
- Strong communication skills – Just like in any other walk of life, having good communication skills is key if you wish to become a successful data scientist. Interacting and collaborating with various divisions is essential if one hopes to be an asset to the organization.
How to become a data scientist?
Now that we’ve listed all the responsibilities and skills required for a data scientist, the one thing that you should be cognizant of is that such a role would never directly fall into your lap. To land such a role, you need to first be patient and constantly develop your skills. A few things to remember as you begin your career in this field are –
- Be patient – Understand that you will not land a job of your liking right from the get-go so don’t get discouraged and disheartened by it. Continue to build your skills in the meanwhile.
- Learn about data science – Being proficient in data science is highly imperative if you ever hope to become a data scientist. Data science courses can be incredibly effective and can help a person to understand what this vast and diverse field is all about.
- Build a portfolio – Build your profile so that you become an asset to any company that you choose to work for.
- Earn a certificate – Earning a certificate in data science or business analytics can add to your résumé and will give you an edge over other prospects.
- Be prepared for a rigorous interview process – Since such a role is difficult to come by you need to be prepared for a rigorous interview process.