A career in the data science industry has become a reachable dream for many people. More and more people are also transitioning and taking on brand new roles to become the best version of themselves.
Data science has also been at the forefront as a new technology career that is designed to make things easier for the masses. But, how do you become a data scientist, and what value can a qualification in this career give you? Read on as we discuss what it means and takes to become one of the data science experts.
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Programming And Analytical Tools
It is no secret that being a data scientist or analyst requires specific knowledge in different programming and analytics tools.
This is to help you as the data scientist become better at performing the necessary analytical processes that help your business make better, more informed business decisions while lowering costs and increasing profits.
A data science course in one of South Africa’s reputable educational facilities and institutions can help you get the headstart you need.
And, show you how to refine the process of product development, improve customer retention, or mine through data to find new business opportunities to sustain, grow, and stay one step ahead of your competition.
This is not just a good career move; it is a great business opportunity too. With your data science skills, you can also offer other businesses your skills to improve their turnover. Other skills include machine learning, artificial intelligence and statistics, which a data science course can also provide an introduction to.
Got The Basics, Now What?
As a buzzing career, it is no surprise that data science is also quite a competitive industry, so this means you will have to stand out to be considered by the companies, businesses and brands. How do you do it? Well, there are a few non-technical skills you need to acquire to join this exciting data science world, such as:
Communication Skills
You have to be able to show good communication skills if you want to become a data scientist. This is because the programs you use often have their own language and terminology. Meaning, you should be able to explain your findings in a simpler way with way less tech jargon.
It may be hard to do this when your communication skills aren’t up to par, but luckily, there is material online that teaches you how to become better at public speaking, and a data science course prepares you for this too.
In the data science world, communication is crucial and having the right sets of skills will help you get far in your career. These skills include, but aren’t limited to.
- Speak the same language as your audience – Remember, while your audience may have an idea of what you will be talking about, they want a simple and straight-to-the-point approach that is solution-oriented.
- Use empathy for compelling data storytelling – Engage business stakeholders in a way that captures their attention both emotionally and logically.
- Focus on outcomes and value – Outcomes and value make more sense to business people than process and complexity.
- Ask and receive questions – Great communication is allowing both you and your audience to engage in a Q&A session, preferably at the end of your presentation.
Good Data Intuition
Valuable data insights are not always apparent in large data sets. A knowledgeable data scientist has intuition and knows when to look beyond the surface for insightful information. To reach the right audience, a data scientist has to find that audience in masses of other audiences.
To do this, you can either choose to shadow a data scientist or invest in a bootcamp or two. Practically working with data will show you the ropes and prepare you for when you are ready to launch yourself in this career.
Hypothesis Driven Mindset
A great data scientist always asks questions and goes on a mission to answer these questions. This may be done in the form of hypothesis testing.
This is when a data scientist will formulate an idea or motion and then go out to research and compile enough evidence and, you guessed it, data to either support or disprove the hypothesis.
After all, that is also how science works, so wouldn’t it make sense for data science to do so too? Exactly. So, the best way to stay sharp is to keep training your mind by proving or disproving hypotheses.
Be Motivated By Impact
According to Forbes magazine, “Good analysts are not motivated by technology, tools or cool algorithms and methodologies. They are singularly focused on solving problems using data; that is, they are focused on moving the dial, making a change, and driving an impact using data and insights.”
So, if you are all about using data to bring about significant change in the economy and society, then you are probably at the right place. Think about what it is you want your business or career to do and which problems you’d like to solve, and let your data science qualification help you play a role in making that change happen.
Another non-technical skill in data science is problem-solving, which we can safely say is one of the most important skills in a data scientist’s career. Always strive to bring about solutions and stay a step or two ahead of the rest.
Who Can Help?
Because this is a new and buzzing career path, a lot of skilled people are willing to mentor, teach and let those who are still new to the industry shadow them. So, your best bet is to find out how you can rub shoulders with the right people.
A starting point can be social media, where you will find qualified data scientists (preferably those who are on social media to provide information on the career) and be able to follow them to get the gist of the job.
Once you have identified a person or community you relate to, you can perhaps start considering mentorship, internship and apprenticeship opportunities offered by these people.
Remember, you’re a data scientist, meaning you will have to find the information yourself, so look at this as another opportunity for you to practice your data science skills.
In Closing, Data Science Is Open
A career in data science can help you and your business if you are looking to grow it. But it can also help you help other businesses as you grow into consultancy status.
Always remember that you can study data science online on your terms at one of South Africa’s most trusted educational facilities. Invest in research, engage with those already in the field to find out how you can join. Anyone with a passion for bringing about active change in technology can become a data scientist.
