Want a Coveted Job? Be a Data Scientist

The data scientist is as much of an artist as an analyst. To them, patterns jump out from hordes of data and information. An evolution from the post of a data or business analyst, the scientist can stare at data and read trends which reflect vitally relevant information back to him and with which the company and business can grow.

The Vital Role Data Scientists Play

Before you read more about the role of a data scientist and why it has such a vital position in an organization, here’s a brief on what data science really is: It is an interdisciplinary study which includes various procedures of data or information in either structured or unstructured format with the objective of addressing questions directly linked with the growth of a company.

This is where Big Data comes in. Big data, contrary to what the name may suggest, is actually a combination of approaches to deriving insight from data and technologies which enable deriving insight from large sources of data economically.

Data scientists are specially equipped to manage big data jobs and are currently highly in demand and so are data science courses.

While not data scientists work in direct conjunction with big data, the role they play even while working on general data is much enhanced owing to the depth and breadth of their field of study and the vast quantities of data they work with.

The difference between a data analyst working in a traditional role and a data scientist lies in the approach- a data analyst will focus on obtaining data from a single source whereas the scientist will access several disparate sources to collect data. Some examples of such sources include customer transactions, social media, click streams, sensors, etc. The data scientist is also not interested in simply glancing through the data and reporting on it.  The interest lies in finding something that has been previously missed, or drawing some valuable insight previously overlooked. And hence, he takes care to look at the data from various angles.

Asking questions is one of the most crucial things taught in data science lessons. The objective is to ask vital questions with the objective of assessing presumptions and modes of functioning. Often a ‘what if’ scenario is drawn up by the master of the data science field in order to dissolve blocks and explore newer and fresher perspectives and processes.

Focus is also heavily rests on communication. Once the in-depth analysis is completed, precise and clear information needs to be passed on to the management body along with suggestions which can be acted upon realistically.

This last bit is crucial. Since the suggestions of the data scientist are considered seriously and since they can make or break a business, the role becomes a pivotal one in any organization. Profit optimization and cost reduction are key areas that are affected by the findings of a data scientist.

Who Fits the Bill of a Data Scientist?

Besides having a solid knowledge of calculus, math, engineering, computer science and application, modeling and analytics, a candidate for the position of a data scientist needs to generally come with the following qualities.

• Inquisitiveness


• Great communication skills in order to get across findings to IT and Business leaders


• Curiosity


• Aptitude for machine learning


• Natural interest in business, analytics, statistics and math.


• Motivation


• Up-to-date knowledge of tools and technologies


• Skill for using data visualization techniques


• High comfort levels for working in a team


• Familiarity with computer programming.

Why Covet the Role of a Data Scientist?

A data scientist is a rare gem for a company, especially if the data scientist is a well-trained individual with a natural flair for the job. Data Science courses are only beginning to gain popularity in recent times and so, the demand for data scientists is unsaturated. Salaries for a well-placed data scientist can range between $89,000 and $138,000 in North America. Besides, there is scope for huge growth in the field. And the job is exciting since there is high risk and competitiveness involved.