Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in America and one of the most in-demand jobs around. This is because a data scientist can help companies to make intelligent strategic decisions that are based on data which can take the risk out of these decisions and find greater success.
Data science is certainly a field that is worth considering for those with interest in this area. Still, it is also a unique line of work, and you must be prepared that it will become very competitive in the near future so you will need to know how to stand out from the crowd so here are a few tips.
Earn A Master’s
Earning a Master of Science in Data Science will teach you the engineering skills and business acumen needed to excel as a data scientist and meet the demands in this fast-growing field. The Merrimack College Data Science Masters can be taken entirely online, which will make it much easier to fit into your schedule and could enable you to gain experience while you study. Keep in mind that 92% of data scientists have an advanced degree, so it is important to continue learning if you want to succeed.
Work on Written & Verbal Communication Skills
Obviously, with this career, you need to have expertise in technical skills as a data scientist, but you must not overlook the other side of the job, which is communication. You need to be able to write and verbally communicate your findings in an understandable way to those that do not have the same technical knowledge as you, which is a real skill in itself. This is why you must work on your communication skills, especially if this is an area that you struggle with.
Develop an Area Of Technical Expertise
In this field, it is better to have an area of technical expertise as opposed to a more general knowledge which will help you to stand out from the crowd. As such a large and important field, there will always be a demand for data scientists that have technical expertise in one particular area.
You need to start with a solid foundation in statistics and then find an area that you have an interest in, such as machine learning. You have to love what you do as a data scientist, so it is always a good idea to pursue the path that excites you.
Build A Portfolio
When you are trying to stand out in a competitive field where people often have similar qualifications, a portfolio is a brilliant way to do this as it shows what your capabilities are and shows that you have experience which is always incredibly useful. If you do not have much work experience yet, then you can still perform analysis of any type of data to show your capabilities.
Hopefully, these tips will help those that have aspirations of becoming a data scientist to get on the path to success and find ways to stand out from the crowd.