What is a data scientist’s job?

Data scientists are responsible for collecting, organising, analysing, and interpreting data to inform organisations’ strategic and tactical decision-making. They’re expected to take an analytical but creative approach to problem-solving, drawing on a deep understanding of the data, the tools and techniques available, and the context in which the data is being used. 

The visualisations they produce from their analysis – the whys and wherefores that bring opportunities to the surface, signal problems, and otherwise inform the need for change – help communicate the trends they uncover to colleagues and keep their organisations competitive. It’s no wonder their skills are in great demand. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of data science jobs in the US alone is expected to grow 36% between 2021 and 2031. 

What is a data scientist?

‘A data scientist is someone who is better at statistics than any software engineer and better at software engineering than any statistician.’ 

 – Josh Wills of Cloudera

Data scientists are mandatory assets for almost every serious organisation globally. They are, to a great extent, in charge of managing and examining vast volumes of data, and must keep decision-makers informed so that they can make better business choices.

Data scientists are professionals who have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, and use their knowledge and data science skills to: 

• Create new ways to organise and store data;
• Analyse large data sets and find trends or patterns; and through this
• Help organisations make better decisions and improve their operations. 

Their job can be demanding, but intellectually challenging and satisfying. 

What skills does a data scientist need?

Data scientists need to be proficient at:

• Mathematics;
• Statistics;
• Data visualisation;
• Coding and programming; and
• Communicating;

And to:

• Think analytically; and
• Love solving problems.

What’s in a data scientist’s job description?

There is no definitive job description for a data scientist. Typically, their daily duties include:

• Collecting masses of raw data and transforming it into usable formats;
• Creating AI tools to process the data;
• Finding patterns in the data; 
• Making sense of the patterns and spotting trends that can improve the bottom line;
• Communicating and collaborating with both IT and the business; and
• Solving business-related problems using data-driven techniques.

Why being a data scientist is the most promising job of the future

Data science is regarded as the most promising job of the future because:

• The field is evolving daily;
• New data sources are continually emerging;
• Data must be actively managed if organisations are to stay on the right side of data privacy regulations; and
• The field offers great opportunities for career advancement.

The seemingly endless evolution of the field requires data scientists to keep up with change, and the ever-growing volume of data means organisations will continue to need help managing their data.

Ready to brush up your data science skills?

Given the protracted demand projected for data scientists, it is a good time for data science professionals to enter the market, or – if you are looking for an intellectually engaging occupation – to upskill yourself.

Need to brush up your analytical and mathematical skills, and familiarity with programming languages? Enrol in one of Digital Regenesys’ online data science courses and master the next-gen digital skills you need to transform your career.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data Scientists.
• Develomentor. (2022). Josh Wills – Statistician, Former Director of Data Engineering at Slack #51.