Data Science Jobs

Data science, “Big Data”, and data analytics are sometimes used very closely, but they each refer to a distinct concept:

• Data science refers to the approach used to deliver insights from a data set through a multidisciplinary mixture of tactics including math, statistics, programmatic techniques, and even machine learning.
• Big Data is a term that’s popular to use when referring to extremely large data sets that often exceed the capacity of standard data tooling.
• Data analytics is the process of extracting meaningful information by analyzing data. In most cases, the techniques in question are performed on Big Data, but will work when applied to almost any data set provided.

If you want to become an entry level data scientist, you may be wondering if data science jobs are very difficult to get. Data science absolutely deserves its reputation as a tough field with certain barriers to entry, and you should prepare to work hard developing the skill set needed to be successful, but aside from this stipulation it is a career like any other. Your passion and drive for the subjects you work with will sustain your momentum, as long as you plan your next steps with care.

While it’s difficult to generalize about the required skill set, as (for example) data science engineering jobs are going to be fairly different in scope from data science analyst jobs, and so forth, there are certain must-have qualifications that will set you up for a great data science career, as well as signal to prospective employers that you’re able to handle their challenges and then some. Here are a few qualifications you’ll want to make sure you have before aiming for entry level data science jobs:

• Almost any data science role will require at least a bachelor’s degree, generally in a STEM or computer-related field (very high-level roles may also require a master’s degree).
• Strong mathematical skills, including statistics and calculus, are non-negotiable in most data science roles.
• Data science professionals possess rock-solid programming abilities to tackle the toughest challenges impeding organizational innovation.
• It’s often a good idea to attain several relevant professional certifications (most commonly, IBM’s Data Science Professional Certificate and Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate; more specific certificates will vary from industry to industry).

Most modern companies that have undergone a digital transformation will realize a clear use case for bringing data science professionals into their organization. However, you can find data scientist job openings in countless industries worldwide, ensuring near-limitless career potential as well as a steady stream of new and interesting projects to run. Even more exciting, as technology advances, new opportunities appear almost daily. Here are a few examples of industries experiencing a strong demand for data analysts and engineers:

• Banking and financial services
• Retail and eCommerce
• Healthcare
• Education (K-12 and university level)