{"id":2498,"date":"2022-01-05T21:18:09","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T21:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jobsrmine.com\/blog\/?p=2498"},"modified":"2025-04-24T20:46:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T19:46:15","slug":"how-to-become-a-data-scientist-what-skills-are-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jobsrmine.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-data-scientist-what-skills-are-needed\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become A Data Scientist (No, You Don\u2019t Need a PhD)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Data<\/figure>\n\n\n

Photo by Andrea De Santis<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is much discussion about whether you need a computer science degree to become a data scientist. This article discusses the question of whether you need an 8-year college education. However, t<\/a>he real question behind this is: how do I get into data science<\/a>? How do I prepare myself for that career? How do I become a data scientist? The good news is this blog post is about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do data scientists do?<\/strong><\/strong>

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analysing and interpreting large data sets. They often work with a team to spot trends, find patterns and build meaningful insights from the data that can be used to make better business decisions.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe best way to describe a data scientist is an equal parts statistician and computer scientist, with some business knowledge thrown in.\u201d -Charles Severance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the layman, a data scientist is a super-analyst who can find insights in mountains of big data. But, for people in the know, a data scientist is not just a person who creates predictive models for marketing and sales. The real job of a data scientist is to take all that information and tell a story with it. They\u2019re the person who will analyse statistical trends from social media, customer support records, and financial data and make recommendations to improve business decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need a degree to become a data scientist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re living in the age of big data. We measure and track almost every aspect of life and business, from how many steps we take daily to how many hours we sleep each night, from what we eat to where we shop, from whom we vote for, to what movies we watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming a data scientist is one of the fastest-growing career paths. You need to do more than write code. You\u2019ll also need to understand how to get data, clean it up, visualise it, and present it in an easy-to-understand way that helps solidify your insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data scientists also often communicate their findings to others. Like any good scientist, they use visualisation techniques like graphs, charts etc., to exhibit their results\u2014but unlike other types of scientists, they have the advantage of exploring data, applying statistical models, building algorithms, using the technologies & tools like Python, R, Cloud platforms, Jupyter notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be a data scientist, you don\u2019t need an advanced degree in computer science \u2014 or anything else, for that matter. However, you must love working<\/a> with data and exploring patterns and correlations. In addition, you should know how to program, work with databases, and learn statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms. And how to combine all as an application and run on a platform. That\u2019s it! You can get all the education you need online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people are surprised that they aren\u2019t required to have years of experience or an advanced degree before calling themselves data scientists. Their surprise comes from the fact that \u201cdata scientist\u201d has recently been popularised. But the title isn\u2019t new; it was coined by William S. Cleveland in 2008 when he was trying to figure out how best to describe his role as chief scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a common misconception that you need a Master\u2019s degree or PhD to become a data scientist. Yet, some of the most successful data scientists globally have no formal education in statistics, machine learning, or computer science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may seem strange that someone can make it as a data scientist without training, but it makes sense when you think about the nature of data science. Data scientists use tools like SQL and Python to pull insights from data and use popular platforms to run the models. Hence, algorithms. These tools aren\u2019t difficult to learn for anyone with a good grasp of arithmetic, and the hard part\u2014figuring out what to do with those insights\u2014separates great data scientists from everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the main concepts a data scientist needs to know?<\/strong><\/strong>

A data scientist\u2019s core skills are1. A strong background in statistics and machine learning2. Software engineering skills, including proficiency with at least one programming language, Python or R.3. Programming skills for analysing and exploring the data.4. Knowledge of databases and tools for working with them ( Spark, Hive, Cloud-based databases, No-SQL databases) and writing SQLs\u00a0 for querying5. Proficient with various open-source data mining and machine learning tools, such as Jupyter Notebook, Amazon Sage Maker, and Google Colab.6. Knowledge of cloud platforms to deploy models\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

With all the buzzwords being thrown around in data science, data scientists are often described as \u201csplitters\u201d and \u201cpilers\u201d. Splitters examine large amounts of data and identify parts they think will be helpful in further analysis. The people who decide what part of splitting the data into and why they decided on those splits are splitters. Data engineers and analysts can also be splitters, but they don\u2019t effectively because they cannot always view the big picture. On the other hand, Pilers look at all the information and focus on putting it together before making decisions based on what type of data it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One common representation of a data scientist is a sort of Einstein, a mythical figure who can make all of the right decisions and produce precisely the results they need. Of course, knowing everything but using it to solve every problem is not possible; however, we can analyse the data and draw conclusions that lead us closer to our goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Stephen Dawson<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in becoming a data scientist, here\u2019s where to start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong>: Learn the basics of statistics and machine learning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong>: Get familiar with coding in Python or R<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3<\/strong>: Understand SQL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step4: Learn a Visualisation tool<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4<\/strong>: Read every article on KDnuggets.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5<\/strong>: Practice\u00a0 and solve the problems available on various famous ML websites\u00a0 (e.g. Kaggle)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing your projects is one of the best ways to learn data science. You can find many tutorials on Kaggle, youtube and Coursera, which will guide you through the process of building algorithms and models from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tutorials are good for learning the basics, but they only capture a snapshot of what it\u2019s like to work as a data scientist. It\u2019s impossible to convey everything in a few hours; many concepts are not even covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data science incorporates many disciplines like statistics, machine learning, deep learning, visualisation, business intelligence, predictive modelling, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main concepts are these: Statistics, Machine learning, Programming Probability, Spatial data analysis, Business intelligence, Visualization Algorithms, Linear algebra, Database management systems, Databases & SQL R Profiling & debugging, Networking Data visualisation APIs, Tools for data science, Data engineering Data as a service Software quality testing Big data storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics<\/strong>: Statistics is about making inferences about populations based on samples. If you have ever been curious about the average height in the US or how many people live in China, those questions are answered using statistics. You can explore this field here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spatial data analysis<\/strong>: This is all the rage these days. It uses the power of computer vision and graphics to organise and analyse data in massive amounts for easy analysis visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data cleaning<\/strong>: Data cleaning is essential to being a data scientist. It\u2019s essential to make sure your data is fit for analysis. Data cleaning can be challenging, time-consuming, and frustrating. But it\u2019s also a skill that requires practice. The more you clean data, the better you\u2019ll get at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data Exploration:<\/strong> Data exploration is the first step in data analysis involving tools and statistical techniques to uncover data set characteristics and initial patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature selection<\/strong>: Feature selection isolates the most consistent, non-redundant, and relevant features to use in model construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Machine Learning<\/strong>: Machine learning allows computers to learn from data without explicitly programming. Today, solutions based on machine learning algorithms can recognise faces, objects, and speech; produce targeted advertising and valuable search results; fight spam and malware; detect credit card fraud; and recommend products like Amazon, Netflix, or Pandora<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep learning is a specialised subset of machine learning that can be regarded as a sophisticated and mathematically complex evolution of machine learning algorithms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core skill that a data scientist should have is working with both unsupervised and supervised approaches (i.e., using machine learning techniques) to solve problems related to extracting knowledge from data sets to make decisions. This could be as simple as using predictive modelling to predict customer churn or as complex as using deep learning techniques to create autonomous machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are interested in making lots of money.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Becoming a data scientist is a great way to make money. In fact, according to the Burtch Works report, the median income for a US data scientist is $110,000 (with a range of $81k-$170k), with some making even $250,000. This is not just due to the pay but also because data scientists are in demand, and the job outlook is excellent. With Glassdoor ranking data science as the #2 job<\/a> in America for 2021, exploring demand trends within the field can only lead to beneficial insights. By 2025, experts predict that 163 zettabytes of information<\/a> will be generated, an incredible number prompted by the explosive growth of connected devices and enhanced networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data scientists are well paid because companies highly demand their skills. But, of course, how to help makes better business decisions using data analytics and machine learning. A data scientist earns an average salary of $122,499 in the United States as of April 2022, according to Glassdoor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a quick example of how you can become a data scientist with five years of education + 1 year of data science training.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is it possible to become a data scientist with only five years of education? The answer is yes, but the process is a bit more complicated than it seems; you need to combine your college education with a year of intensive data science training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be a data scientist, there are two main paths of study that you can take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bachelor\u2019s degree in computer science or mathematics, plus one year of intensive data science training, A master\u2019s degree in statistics or computer science, plus one year of intensive data science training<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cannot be very clear for some people. So why not just go for a master\u2019s degree? The answer is simple: a bachelor\u2019s degree provides the fundamentals for these fields. So if you\u2019re starting your academic journey, the best thing to do is get a bachelor\u2019s degree and then move on to either an MS or a PhD program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also worth mentioning that some universities have special data science programs; they last around 1-2 years and provide extensive knowledge on how to use various tools and frameworks related to data science. However, I wouldn\u2019t recommend them until you have at least 2-3 years of full-time experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the difference between a data scientist, statistician, and data analyst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is not much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there are some differences in their job responsibilities, but all three roles somehow deal with data analysis and statistical modelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A data scientist, statistician and data analyst should perform an entire project from start to finish. All three roles require strong problem-solving skills and working with a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A data scientist may have more similarities with a statistician than a data analyst. The two professions may share similar tasks, like developing statistical models, but the tools used for each job differ between the two professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An actual data scientist has a specific skill set and knowledge base and differs significantly from a data analyst or statistician. For example, an accurate data scientist needs to know data exploration techniques, how to select and use the statistical models\u00a0 & algorithms in at least one programming language, leverage distributed data storage systems and clouds for model execution and deployment, and communicate their findings in a way that others can understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data analysts typically use BI tools like Excel to create reports and dashboards consumed by decision-makers. Data analysts often have strong technical skills but limited experience in leveraging machine learning algorithms, developing statistical models, or building predictive models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What skills do I need to become a Data Scientist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The skills you need to be a data scientist depend on your area of expertise. Most people have a background in math or statistics, so they take the entry-level job of a data analyst. But if you have programming skills or a project management<\/a> background, you might consider seeking a career as a statistician. Or maybe you could start your own private consulting business as an independent data scientist. If you\u2019re interested in working for an established company, consider getting an MBA and learning how to manage projects from the inside out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all starts with a bachelor\u2019s degree. Yes, that\u2019s right \u2014 you still need to go to college. Of course, your local community college is where you do this. You\u2019ll take classes that prepare you for your future professional life as a data scientist \u2014 learning how to analyse data, write SQL queries, etc. As part of this education, you\u2019ll learn to work with data sets and use statistical analysis to understand the data about researchers\u2019 questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While getting a good education is essential, don\u2019t let that be the only way to become a data scientist! You can learn these skills independently, even without a degree. Plenty of books and online courses can help you get started using Python and other programming languages, so don\u2019t be afraid to try something new when looking for skills to help you land your first job in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The skills that make for a great data scientist are somewhat limited but relatively broad:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Good problem-solving skills and creativity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Great communication skills and ability to interact with teams across disciplines<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Ability to collaborate and work with different people from a wide variety of backgrounds on the same project<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Great curiosity about how things work and an ability to be open-minded when presented with new ideas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Some degree of mathematical aptitude is helpful for some problems, but it\u2019s not necessary for all data scientist tasks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 A desire to learn new tools, either self-taught or by taking courses or workshops on new technologies or techniques (Kaggle, Hackathons, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare to learn because you will need to teach yourself the most!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Their first exposure to data scientists is through the media for many people. But, unfortunately, the press<\/a> has focused on the most extreme examples \u2013 the 23-year-old who dropped out of a PhD program at Stanford to work at Google and became one of the youngest VPs in the company \u2013 or people like Nate Silver, who took off from an already successful career as a political analyst to build his site from scratch and eventually become part of ESPN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common theme among these profiles is that there was some \u201ceureka moment\u201d for the person in question, which made their career path crystal clear. However, these profiles don\u2019t always tell the whole story. In fact, for many people becoming a data scientist requires years of hard work and perseverance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The skills you need to become a data scientist are the same, Data scientists can come from any profession and have many different backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common \u2013 they are good at solving problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are not a \u201cmath guy\/gal\u201d, you probably won\u2019t like data science.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being a data scientist is about more than knowing how to do complex mathematical computations or collecting tons of specific technical skills. It\u2019s about asking the right questions and collecting and processing relevant information to deliver meaningful insights. It\u2019s also about combining your technical skills and business knowledge to communicate your findings to non-technical stakeholders effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking some statistics classes in college is good, but not all. Some data science curriculums are impractical for anyone who isn\u2019t an \u201cA\u201d student and a math whiz. A good data scientist can deal with messy data, spot patterns and trends, ask the right questions, and use the results. These skills take time to develop and practice, not just classroom theory. I recommend that you get a job as a programmer first to learn how to handle messy data on the job. After that, you are ready to be a data scientist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to find training resources step-by-step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few of my favourite resources for learning data science and keeping up with the latest news:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n