You may have come across some terms in English related to the Information Technology area – also known by the acronym TI. Business Intelligence, Data Analyst and Big Data are technologies developed to capture and analyze large amounts of data , directly linked to various professions in the IT universe . And one of the most demanded specialists in this environment is the data scientist. But after all, do you know what this professional is and what he does?
The data scientist is passionate about technology, mathematics and physics. Professionals who are already trained in some field of Engineering, for example, find in this branch an excellent option to expand the range of skills and even to change their career.
In this text, we separate the main characteristics of the data scientist, an overview of the job market and, mainly, the best way to enter this profession.
What is it and how did the data scientist come about?
The role of the data scientist emerged in the academy: universities needed programmers capable of working in teams. That way, programs like the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University were created, which helped to produce a whole generation of data scientists . Today, there are more than 60 similar programs at US universities.
These programs served as the basis for collecting and processing a very large amount of data that companies store on their – networks and are often forgotten – , called Big Data.
For many years, data scientists worked as statisticians or analysts in the field of information technology, only in very specific companies. Today, Big Data is an increasingly frequent tool in several markets, including the areas of Marketing and Business.
All this amount of data generated by specific systems is very important to trace the entire planning of a company in search of greater growth, thus dictating the future of many companies. The data scientist is responsible for understanding the existing data patterns in the system, to thus optimize processes and assist managers in strategic planning.
Thus, the Data Science professional needs good communication skills, after all it is necessary to “translate” the data to make the standards clearer and more accessible to the entire company.
Typical functions of data scientists
A few mathematicians, part of scientists and mostly observers: data scientists play an essential role in the business and IT world.
Among the main functions of this professional, one of the most important is to collect and store large amounts of unstructured data, translating it into a more accessible language to be used as a business strategy.
What you may have noticed is that the data scientist works together with the IT area and management. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to dialogue with the two areas, which require their own languages: one, more focused on the universe of software and programs ; another, more focused on communicating with supervisors who are not always familiar with terms and acronyms.
How to become a data scientist?
The profession of data scientist is a good alternative both for those entering higher education and for those already working in the job market in areas of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. There are also Administration and Economics professionals who see Data Science as a great career opportunity.
What faculty do you take to become a data scientist?
The best universities offer specific courses for this area, which until recently was offered in a more comprehensive way. The degree in Data Science is generally offered by universities in the technologist, with specific content distributed over two years of course.
There are also courses focused on the technological solutions used in the profession, for those who wish to specialize further in the area. Postgraduate studies in Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence is one of the options to expand your portfolio.
What do scientists study?
Data scientists must always be up to date on analytical techniques, so during the course you will see countless terms in English appearing during classes. Each of them represents a stage in the process of capturing, analyzing and programming the data. The course will cover topics such as:
- Statistics and Mathematics;
- Big Data (technology used to capture and analyze data);
- Programming Language;
- Business Knowledge;
- Data Presentation and Visualization Techniques;
- Deep Learning (related to research);
- Machine Learning (artificial intelligence and automation of algorithms);
- Data Preparation (conversion of data into readable formats for better understanding);
- Text analysis.
The knowledge needed for a data scientist is more specific and technical, so it is essential that this professional knows programming languages , such as Python, R, SAS, Java, Perl, C / C ++ , and platforms like Hadoop and SQL .
As an area still new to the market, the Data Science is constantly evolving, it is possible to find several specializations throughout the career to keep up to date on the main software used in the profession.
What are the skills of the data scientist?
With such a large scope, the data scientist navigates through several areas. As it is a field that requires deep knowledge in statistics, technical analysis and communication, at least 10 important skills in the process are necessary:
- Communication;
- Structured Data Management;
- Mathematics;
- Project Management;
- Data Mining and Visualization;
- Design of Experiments;
- Data Management;
- Design and Product Development;
- Statistical modeling;
- Business development.
It is essential that the professional also has skills in the field of communication, to deliver a clear and objective result. Therefore, the data scientist is, above all, a storyteller .
Where to start? Steps to be a data scientist
Are you interested in exploring the field of Data Science, but don’t know where to start? You may have already noticed that Data Science is part of a very broad universe and countless possibilities. It is natural that you feel a little lost at first, so we have separated some tips.
Perform a self-assessment
Are you unsure about what to do in college or even dissatisfied with your chosen career and want to change your profession? Before you decide to dive into the fascinating world of data scientists, you must evaluate the moment you are going through and put your goals on paper.
Remember that the Data Science career requires knowledge such as programming, statistics and a lot of skills with numbers and data. Are you in love with these areas ? So move on!
Prepare your computer
To win a job in the Data Science market, it is necessary for the candidate to pass some previous tests. Therefore, it is essential that you have a good computer that includes the programs and software needed to perform the tasks.
You should be aware of the required operating system , as well as good internal space to store servers like Hadoop or Spark. Most data scientists use the Linux system to develop their projects.
Practice
With dozens of opportunities for the data analysis market, it’s even difficult to focus on one area. Read a lot, take complementary courses and mainly: practice.
There are several online programs that simulate Big Data platforms for you to test your knowledge throughout the course. Read a lot, dedicate yourself to the study and keep an eye on market trends so you don’t miss any news.
How is the job market for the data scientist?
It is wrong to think that Data Science is related only to complex companies or specific industries. Did you know that suggestions you receive from films and series on the Netflix platform are generated from a careful analysis of data, based on your likes?
This happens with almost any large company we know today. Your internet searches generate customized algorithms in order to deliver ads of interest to you.
Thus, the market could not be more heated for those who want a job in this area. Data analysis is an essential resource for creating applications, social networks, financial services and several other features.
What is the salary of a data scientist?
The professional who embarks on this career will find a market full of opportunities. This is a career that has been gaining ground in large companies and startups in technology.
According to data from the Glassdoor website, a data scientist in Brazil earns from $9,000 to $20,000. That is, is it or is it not an excellent area to develop professionally?
As you can see throughout the text, the data scientist is a professional who has been standing out in the technology and innovation market, in addition to being an essential figure for companies that want to offer personalized services for your end customer.
If you like numbers, have the ability to solve problems and are creative to generate innovative solutions, the Data Science career is an excellent option for your future in the job market.