Three things you need to know before embarking on the journey of becoming a data scientist

【51CTO.com Quick Translation】 Currently, the industry's demand for development talents with specialized skills is growing across the board, and companies are very interested in training data scientists. A recent IBM study shows that by 2020, job opportunities for data scientists will increase by 15%, with an additional 364,000 job vacancies, and the demand for data scientists and engineers will increase by 39% in the next five years.

Why is data science so important to business? "The data science explosion is causing businesses to capture more data about their customers, processes, products and services, from website user behavior to turbine engine diagnostics," said Chris Albon, data scientist and creator of the Machine Learning Cards.

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Companies have the ability to collect and store vast amounts of information more than ever before. Data scientists are responsible for turning this data into insights that can inform decisions, reduce risk, and uncover unexpected insights. “For this data to be useful, it requires expertise and skills in statistics, computer science, and software engineering,” Albon said.

As more companies rely on data to make better decisions, they are hiring data scientists to help them achieve their goals. If you are a developer who wants to switch careers to become a data scientist, here are a few things you must know.

You will learn something new

When transitioning from a developer role to a data-centric position, your existing computer science and software engineering skills will be extremely valuable. However, the data science role also requires sophisticated statistical knowledge. If you want to pursue a career in data science, you will need to hone your modeling and machine learning abilities.

Strong SQL skills are table stakes for data scientists and data engineers, and these roles also require proficiency in statistical modeling and machine learning tools, such as the Python data science ecosystem, including NumPy and scikit-learn, or R’s rich statistical tools.

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There are many effective ways to develop data science skills. If you have a PhD in statistics, it will be much easier to get a job as a "data scientist", and without a degree, you can still practice statistical techniques and try machine learning methods in your work. Industry insiders believe that there is a severe shortage of data labor, data science is developing, and many organizations have a lot of data, but not enough people to make valuable decisions.

What are the benefits of developing data science skills? You can differentiate your company by using rigorous statistical methods, and companies can fill their data science business needs by training people within their organization. When you have experience, you will feel more confident in taking on new projects and opportunities.

Creativity and communication

Data science work involves a high level of creativity and communication. Data scientists are highly technical but often work closely with marketing, sales, and operations. The ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds is very important. This communication is achieved through data visualization, writing, and speaking.

In my own work, I interact with software developers, product managers, and salespeople to communicate and understand what the model I built means, how to interpret its results, and how we predict it. Being an effective data scientist also requires innovation and strategic thinking. Doing data science is not just about optimizing the predictive power of a model. Data scientists think creatively about what problems need to be solved and how to get actionable insights in the best way.

If you are starting to consider a career in data science, now is a good time to make the transition. With the above, I believe you have a better understanding of the job roles in data science. If you are interested in looking at more data science jobs, check Stack Overflow Jobs, where you can find hundreds of data scientists.

By Julia Silge
Original link: https://stackoverflow.blog/2017/10/05/need-know-start-career-data-scientist/
Translated by Liu Nina

[Translated by 51CTO. Please indicate the original translator and source as 51CTO.com when reprinting on partner sites]