Published By: Orna Ghosh

Wanna Start Your Career in Data Science? You Must Follow These Tricks

Starting a career in data science opens up many challenges. 

As we know, Data is the New Oil. We live in the 21st century of a data-driven world, where data acts like oil. Although we cannot use it in its raw state, it becomes tremendously beneficial if we clean, process and refine the data.

Today, data science is gaining popularity and offering numerous career opportunities. If you are passionate about analytics and have a problem-solving mindset, you can start your career in Data Science.

So, if you are also interested in pursuing a career in data science, here are some essential tips to help you get started on the right track.

  1. Develop a Strong Foundation in Mathematics and Statistics: If you are highly passionate about playing with numbers and enjoy mathematics in your school, then data science is an option for you to pursue. Data science heavily relies upon mathematics and statistical concepts. As a data scientist, you must have a steady grip on calculus, probability, linear algebra and statistics. Master yourself with the related skills of hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and probability distributions. You can excel in your knowledge by self-study or enrolling on relevant courses.
  2. Master in Programming Languages and Tools: Besides maths and statistics, you need to excel in some proficiency in programming languages like Python or R. Robust libraries like Numpy, Pandas, and Matplotlib in Python will give you the frameworks of data manipulation, analysis and visualisation. Additionally, we need to master SQL for database handling and Apache, Hadoop and Spark for handling Big Data. You must perform hands-on projects and continuous practice to build a strong foundation in these languages and tools.
  3. Gain Hands-On Experience with Real-World Projects: With theoretical knowledge, you must gain some hands-on practical experiences. You can start working on open-source datasets on multiple platforms like Kaggle and do some open-source projects. Doing those projects and creating a portfolio will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and show your capabilities to a potential employee.
  4. Acquire Domain Knowledge: Data Science is often required to work in specific domains like finance, healthcare, marketing, manufacturing etc. So having domain knowledge in your area of interest will provide you with many candidates. You can attend conferences, read domain-specific articles, and keep updated with industry trends to expand your knowledge. Build a strong network and collaborate to acquire domain knowledge, gather valuable learnings and look for potential job opportunities.
  5. Developing Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, data scientists need to develop soft skills to excel in their careers. Skills like effective communication, problem-solving attitude, and ability to work in a team are essential to work in the data science domain.