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Careers in Data Science

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Maurice Rousseau
Careers in Data Science

Data science combines mathematics, computer science and statistics to allow the effective analysis if data. It is no wonder then, that there are a large number of potential career paths within data science. Data science has many applications and career paths can be found in many areas including:

  • Accountancy, Banking & Finance,
  • Industrial Research,
  • Computing, Robotics & Machine Learning,
  • Health & Medicine

Typical duties of data scientists include collecting and sorting large amounts of data, developing algorithms and programming, using statistical analysis methods, identifying trends in data, and communication of complex issues via reports and presentations.

Many data scientists have an academic background in Maths, Computer Science or Statistics, but other subjects are not unheard of. Typically a strong undergraduate degree or masters in these subjects will boost your employment opportunities. If you do not have an undergraduate or master's degree in any of these subjects but are interested in data science, further study is an option. PhDs in particular are a good option, and many data scientists tend to be doctorate holders, due to the research nature of their study.

Regardless of your qualifications, a career in data science is a rewarding one. Typical salaries for data scientists in the UK are around £45,750 according to Glassdoor. In the USA, data scientists in a managerial role can expect a salary around $195,000. It is important to remember that salaries vary depending on location, industry, experience and qualifications. For example, someone working in the financial industrial is likely to earn more than someone working in the health industry, and someone with a Data Science PhD will likely earn more than someone with an undergraduate degree.

Career paths in data science include research and analyst roles, business intelligence roles and systems architect roles. Here is list of popular careers for Data Science graduates:

  1. Machine Learning Scientists – this career path involves conducting research into algorithms to develop a system capable of learning and improvement without user input.
  2. Quantitative Analysis – this career path would see you using statistical methods to quantify risk and make predictions based on historic data. Most quantitative analysts are found in the finance industry, helping banks manage risk when making decisions.
  3. Enterprise Architecture – this career path is where you would analyse the operation of a company to determine how their strategy can be modified to incorporate technology which can help them achieve their goals.
  4. Business Intelligence – this career path is similar to enterprise architecture. Rather than focus on technology, here you would look at the data management and processes of a business. This would be used to streamline data processes, develop new strategies, and improve decision machining.
  5. Statistician – this career path is numerical in nature and involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Statisticians will also need strong communication skills and employers will often require them to disseminate complex information in an understandable manner.

Typical data science employers include Facebook, Amazon, Google, IBM and Microsoft. Others include the NHS, government departments, and financial institutions.

To conclude, there are a wide range of career paths available in data science. It is an exciting and rewarding field, which offers great prospects for the future, as the global demand for data scientists is increasing. Data scientists will have a positive impact on the world and can do something meaningful with their skills. What are you waiting for? Get out there and start making a difference!

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Maurice Rousseau
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