Where and How to Secure Data Scientist Freelance Jobs

There are many reasons you may be interested in freelance Data Scientist jobs. Some Data Scientists use freelance work to build their professional portfolio and to gain the professional experience needed to obtain a full-time role with an organization. Some Data Scientists work entirely as freelancers. Knowing where and how to secure Data Scientist freelance jobs will help you find customers, stand out from other freelance Data Scientists, and keep a steady stream of freelance work coming your way. The following sections will help you in your search for freelance data science jobs.

How Do I Start a Freelance Career in Data Science?

If you are interested in starting a freelance career in data science, the first step is to learn the skills required of a Data Scientist. Data Scientists gather, manage, and interpret raw data to extract valuable insights, improve processes, and help organizations to meet their goals. This requires the use of many scientific and mathematical skills and knowledge of: 

• Computer science 
• SQL 
• Python
• R programming
• Machine learning
• Artificial intelligence
• Linear algebra 
• Calculus
• Probability 
• Statistics
• Deep learning 
• Data visualizations

You might worry that gaining such skills requires a four-year degree or an expensive, lengthy program. A data science certificate program can streamline your training and teach you the skills needed to start your career as a freelance Data Scientist. Full-time enrollment in such programs can have you building real-world data science projects in weeks rather than months or years. Programs with mentorship, professional portfolio reviews, real-time instruction from an expert, and hands-on activities are especially beneficial in jump-starting your data science career.

You will also require a professional portfolio to show freelance clients your skills and experience. This lets them see the kind of work they can expect from you and provides evidence of your expertise. The following sections detail how to create a professional data science portfolio, as well as a resume and LinkedIn profile. 

Creating a Freelance Data Science Portfolio

Compiling a freelance Data Scientist portfolio shows prospective clients the type of work you produce. Your portfolio needs to highlight your best work as a Data Scientist. If you are posting your general portfolio to a freelance site such as Fiverr or Upwork, include a variety of projects to showcase your range of skills. If you are meeting with a prospective client virtually or in-person, you can tailor your portfolio to their needs so the client better understands how your skills can benefit them and their organization. 

Your data science portfolio should highlight your expertise in:

• Machine learning
• Artificial intelligence
• Computer science
• Programming languages
• Exploratory data analysis

Start your portfolio off with a short statement about who you are, your training and experience, and the services that you provide. You can tailor this statement to different clients as needed. After this, include data science projects that highlight your abilities. Stick to just a few projects so as not to overwhelm a prospective client. Your portfolio should include a mix of code-based and content-based work. Organize your portfolio in such a way that clients can easily navigate it and include your contact information so those interested in working with you can reach out.

Resume & LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn can help you find freelance Data Scientist jobs, network virtually with clients and prospective clients, and serve as your digital resume and portfolio. Reviewing the best practices for creating a LinkedIn data science profile will help you to make the most of your LinkedIn profile and stand out from other freelance Data Scientists.

When it comes to crafting your freelance data science resume, you can tailor your resume for different clients and proposals. Include skills and experiences directly relevant to the freelance service you’ll provide. For example, if you have worked with a similar organization before, you can highlight your expertise in that particular field. You will also want to research the client prior to submitting your resume and proposal. Data science programs that include mentorship and job search assistance can help you create a polished resume for finding freelance jobs. You can also review your LinkedIn profile and digital portfolio. 

Learn the Skills to Become a Data Scientist at Noble Desktop 

If you are looking to start a new career in data science, you might think the only way for you to become a Data Scientist is by enrolling in a four-year university or pursuing other costly and lengthy educational options. However, there are many alternative methods available to help you transition into a data science career, including data science bootcamps and certificate courses designed to help working professionals gain the skills needed to obtain an entry-level job as a Data Scientist. Exploring in-person and live online data science bootcamps and certificate programs can help you find the class that meets your career goals, budget, and schedule. The first step to finding the class that fits your needs is to understand the differences between in-person classes and live online classes. 

In-person data science classes meet in a traditional classroom setting at a physical location. In-person classes have the advantage of providing all necessary equipment, such as computers and software, and allowing students to network with local professionals such as your classmates and instructor. You also have the advantage of learning from an expert instructor face-to-face. The primary drawback to in-person courses is the extra time and money required to commute to the physical learning location. Live online data science classes offer many of the same benefits as in-person classes, including the ability to learn in real-time from an expert instructor. You can also collaborate with classmates, and you have the advantage of learning remotely. 

Noble Desktop offers several different in-person and live online data science classes that can help you start a career as a Data Scientist. The Python for Data Science Bootcamp teaches students foundational programming concepts and how to handle different data types, use conditional statements to control the flow of a program, use Scikit-Learn, Matplotlib, Numpy, Pandas, and other Python libraries and tools. Noble’s Data Science Certificate program and Data Analytics Certificate program provide a deep dive into the topics and skills essential to launching a career in data science or data analytics and offer one-on-one mentorship and job search assistance. All Noble Desktop classes provide students with hands-on experience, flexible financing options, setup assistance, a free retake, small class sizes, and real-time guidance from an expert instructor.

Learn more about Noble Desktop’s in-person and live online data science classes.

You can also learn more about data science careers and data science learning options with Noble’s free Data Science Learning Hub.