How to Become a Data Scientist in 2023: A Simple Guide
Data scientists are in high demand at the moment, and this demand is expected to increase by 36% until 2031. This role is critical for corporations and businesses as technology continues to evolve. Data scientists help corporations make sense of the data, and they offer suggestions to help businesses reach their goals based on the information obtained from the data.
The life of a data scientist is one of careful and constant analysis. They play an enormous role in the decisions corporations make and are a critical component of a business’s success. You need a specific collection of skills, knowledge, and training to become a data scientist.
You can take a few different routes to becoming a data scientist. Each has its benefits and disadvantages, but they all offer you the opportunity to break into this lucrative career. Let’s discuss what a data scientist is, their responsibilities, and how to get started in this profession.
What Is a Data Scientist?
Data scientists are highly-skilled professionals who are responsible for analyzing data. They use complex statistical methods, software, and other methods to clean up the data. A data scientist will analyze data to find and predict patterns, then use that information to answer business and industry questions and make suggestions on improvement opportunities.
There are many critical responsibilities allocated to data scientists. Typically, a data scientist is responsible for performing the following duties:
– Researching and analyzing data to answer industry and business questions
– Employ machine learning, statistical methods, and complex analytical programs to prepare data for use in prescriptive and predictive models
– Clean and validate data to ensure correctness, uniformity, and completeness
– Interpret their findings for opportunities for improvement or solutions to issues
– Share their findings with executives and shareholders
This list doesn’t encompass the full scope of what a data scientist might do during their career, but it shows the basic tasks a data scientist is expected to complete. Data scientists can be hired for a variety of roles, so their responsibilities will largely depend on the position they’re filling.
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What Skills Does A Data Scientist Need?
Data scientists have a very unique role. They need strong technical skills, but they need equally strong interpersonal skills to succeed in their tasks. The combination of hard and soft skills required of a data scientist requires a dynamic and adaptable personality.
Data scientists need plenty of hard skills to be effective at their work. They spend much of their time researching, analyzing, and interpreting data, so mastering these hard skills is non-negotiable. Here are some of the hard skills a data scientist needs:
– Statistical analysis
– Machine learning
– Data visualization
– Comprehension of programming languages
– Understanding of database software
– Web scraping
– Spreadsheet tools
There are even more hard skills a seasoned data scientist will learn and become proficient with, but these are some of the most vital.
Softs skills are just as necessary as hard skills in this role. Data scientists need to be able to communicate effectively with their team, executive leadership, and shareholders. Along with those interpersonal skills, data scientists should be able to think critically and analytically, problem-solve effectively, and manage their time appropriately.
The soft skills a data scientist needs are often a facet of an individual’s personality. However, the ability to problem-solve and manage time effectively can also be taught.
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How Much Do Data Scientists Make?
Data scientists are one of the top earners in the tech industry. Their position is vital to the expansion, maintenance, and future of corporations and businesses. You can expect to be compensated appropriately as a data scientist.
In this field, the average annual salary is just over $100,000. Some entry-level positions may start closer to $55,000, but top earners in this field have reported earning well over $300,000.
A large variety of factors will determine how much you make in this career. Your background, experience, and location will all play a part in how much you make.
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How To Become A Data Scientist
Once you understand what a data scientist is, what they do, and the skills needed to do well in this position, it’s time to look into how you can get started in this profession. There are a couple of different paths you can take to become a data scientist, so take these steps as a general guide rather than something set in stone.
Step #1 Pursue Your Education
There are a couple of different educational options you can pursue. Most data scientists start by obtaining a college degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or another related field. Getting a degree is a great way to bolster your resume, gain valuable knowledge, and engage in networking opportunities.
Many colleges offer a master’s course in data sciences, which would be an excellent way to break into this career. However, pursuing a college degree can take several years and cost a small fortune.
An alternative option that’s become more popular in recent years is to attend a coding bootcamp. These short and intensive training programs offer you the valuable knowledge needed to get started in this field. Many offer a course specifically in data science and will help you with resume preparation, mock interviews, and other assets.
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Step #2 Brush Up On Your Skills
Depending on your educational path, you might still need to brush up on some skills to become a data scientist. That might mean taking a course in advanced mathematics or statistics. Or, if you attended college for those subjects, then you might still need to take a coding bootcamp course to brush up on your knowledge of programming languages.
Having a firm grasp of the skills necessary for a data scientist will ensure a smooth transition from your education to your first job.
Step #3 Choose Your Field
Data scientists don’t have to work in the technology field. Plenty of other fields require their services, including government, healthcare, retail, and more. Narrowing down which field you want to work in will help you choose the right entry-level position and create a compelling resume.
Step #4 Get Some Experience
When it’s time to get your first job, you should focus on gaining more experience. This field can be hard to break into because it requires a very specific combination of skills, and employers often want to see plenty of experience before they hire someone on full-time.
There are plenty of ways you can get some hands-on experience before your first job. This is the time to apply for internships or volunteer to work for a non-profit. You’ll gain valuable experience and assemble recommendations for future employers.
Are you ready to start an exciting and fulfilling career as a data scientist? Learn how the coding bootcamp at TECH I.S. can help!
Start Your Path To Becoming A Data Scientist With Coding Bootcamp
If working with and analyzing data to help businesses and corporations succeed sounds like an exciting and rewarding career, then you should start thinking about how you want to begin your training. Going through a coding bootcamp will save you time and money while still teaching you the knowledge needed to gain an entry-level position in your field.