Is Data Science Right For Me?

When deciding whether to pursue a career in data science, there are several factors to consider. Considerations include:

• Does data science align with your interests?
• What skills do you currently have that relate to this field?
• What skills do you wish to gain and how do you wish to learn them?
• What is your budget for data science training?
• What are your long-term career goals?
• Do you want to find opportunities where you currently live, or are you willing to relocate?
• Do you want to work remotely or in an office?
• What field or industry are you interested in?
• What kind of work schedule do you prefer?
• How do you want this career to fit into your life in terms of work/life balance?

In the following sections, you will learn what a Data Scientist does and key considerations to remember when deciding if data science is right for you.

What is a Data Scientist?

Data Scientists extract meaning from raw data to detect patterns and propose solutions that meet an organization’s needs, especially the needs to compete and grow. A Data Scientist’s responsibilities include finding valuable data from data sources, developing machine learning algorithms, improving data collection procedures, cleansing and validating data integrity to ensure accuracy, and detecting patterns and solutions based on data. Data Scientists build models based on data, create data visualizations that communicate patterns and findings to stakeholders, and automate collection processes. Because data plays a critical role in the success of any organization, Data Scientists can build careers in business, technology, finance, nonprofits, and many other industries. 

Those who wish to become a Data Scientist should develop the analytical, statistical, and programming skills needed to manage and interpret raw data. These skills include understanding statistics, machine learning, and reporting tools. Aspiring Data Scientists also benefit from understanding the programming languages R, SQL, Python, Java, and C++. 

Read more about what a Data Scientist does.

Why Become a Data Scientist?

Data science can provide a challenging, in-demand, and rewarding career that is relevant now and will remain so well into the future. Data Scientists: 

• Earn high salaries
• Work with the latest technology
• Use problem-solving skills and innovate solutions
• Work independently and collaboratively
• Long-term stability

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median annual salary for Data Scientists is around $100,000. Entry-level Data Scientists make between $75,000 and $95,000 on average with more experienced Data Scientists earning well over $100,000. 

Data Scientists work with some of the latest technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. They also use Python programming and other programming languages. Because data science tools and programming languages constantly evolve, Data Scientists are constantly learning and sharpening their skills, which keeps the profession interesting and relevant. Demand for Data Scientists is expected to increase by 36% between 2021 and 2031, showing that this career makes for a rewarding option now and in the future. 

Data Scientists work both independently and collaboratively, so the job is neither too isolating nor overly draining due to constant meetings or team activities. They solve problems, think of ways to improve processes based on patterns in data, and make recommendations to stakeholders, all of which makes this a mentally stimulating career to pursue.

Read more about whether Data Scientist is a good career.

Are you naturally curious and analytical?

Data Scientists and other data science positions work well for those who are naturally curious and analytical. If you enjoy studying a problem from different angles, developing solutions, improving methods, and constantly learning, data science could make an excellent career for you. Critical thinking and problem-solving are among some of the most important skills a Data Scientist can possess. Data Scientists examine data gathering processes, work with machine learning to automate processes, gather data from different sources, analyze data sets to detect patterns and trends, use metrics to gauge the effectiveness and health of an organization, and make data-informed recommendations to organizations to help them reach their goals. 

Do you have a background in math and science?

Many Data Scientists have a background in mathematics or science. Data Scientists must understand statistics and different branches of computer science to effectively do their jobs, so having an undergraduate or even graduate degree in a related field can go a long way toward advancing a data science career. You don’t have to have a degree in one of these fields to find an entry-level Data Scientist position, but you will need to understand the scientific and mathematical processes involved in data science. Data science certificate courses with hands-on experience included in the curriculum can help you prepare for a career as a Data Scientist by teaching you the mathematical and scientific skills required for such a job. 

What skills will you learn and how?

Whether you have a background in data science or you are preparing for a brand new career, you will need to gain certain skills to become a Data Scientist. Things you will need to learn about to become a Data Scientist include:

• Python programming
• Machine learning
• Data visualizations
• Data reporting
• Communicating findings and recommendations to stakeholders
• Automating and refining data-gathering processes

While you can earn a four-year undergraduate degree or a graduate degree in a data science field, this is a costly and takes years to complete. An alternative way to learn these skills is through in-person and live online data science classes.

In-person classes are those where students and the instructor meet face-to-face in a physical learning location. The benefits of in-person classes include the ability to network locally with classmates and instructors, collaborate on hands-on activities, access all equipment and software needed, and get guidance and feedback from your instructor as you go. Because you have to commute to a physical learning location, you will need to consider the extra time and cost required to make that commute. In-person classes are also limited by your local offerings, which can result in fewer options that fit your interests and schedule.

Live online data science classes offer many of the same benefits as in-person classes, but without the need to commute. Students learn remotely using a computer and stable internet connection. You also are not limited to just those classes offered near you. Remote learning enables you to enroll in classes offered by schools around the world, making it far easier to find a curriculum and schedule that fits your needs. Live online classes connect you to an expert instructor that provides real-time guidance and can help troubleshoot if you run into an issue. You will also have the ability to collaborate with classmates virtually as you work through hands-on assignments. 

Some bootcamps focus on teaching specific skills or tools while data science certificate programs tend to have a broader curriculum. Noble Desktop’s Data Science Certificate program covers Python for data science, automation, data visualization, machine learning, SQL, and more.

Where and in what industry do you want to work?

Gaining a strong foundation in data science skills can help you to build a career almost anywhere. That’s because Data Scientists work a wide variety of fields and industries. Some work in traditional office settings, in a hybrid role, or in a fully remote role. The flexibility of a data science career allows you a great deal of freedom in choosing the industry and location where you want to build your career. That said, something to consider when exploring a career is a Data Scientist is what opportunities are available to you where you currently live. You will also want to consider whether you want to remain in your current location or if you are willing to relocate to pursue your career. This can help you narrow down the industry you want to work in based on local opportunities, or help you determine where you may wish to move to work in the industry you prefer. You can also explore remote data science career options. 

Knowing where and in what industry you wish to work will help you determine the best way to establish industry connections. In-person classes and local events allow you to network with professionals in your area. You can also network with people virtually through live online classes, remote mentorships, or social media sites such as LinkedIn.

To maximize your chances of landing the job in the industry and location you want, create a professional portfolio containing your best work, tailor your resume to the job you are applying for, and seek feedback from a professional mentor. Some classes and programs also offer job search assistance that can greatly benefit you in discovering opportunities and landing your first job. 

Do I need a degree to become a Data Scientist?

If you are interested in a data science career, you might wonder if you need a degree to become a Data Scientist. Data Scientists have a thorough understanding of mathematical and scientific principles including statistics, linear algebra, calculus, statistics, probability, computer science, and certain programming languages. With the rising use of artificial intelligence (AI), Data Scientists should also understand machine learning algorithms and their uses as this branch of AI plays an increasingly crucial role in gathering, sorting, managing, and analyzing data. While most Data Scientists hold a four-year college degree of some kind, often in a subject such as computer science, there are other ways besides university to learn the necessary skills required of a Data Scientist.

You can learn the skills needed to start a career as a Data Scientist by attending in-person or live online data science classes. Such classes may include training on data science fundamentals, the use of data visualization tools, and the use of machine learning. Data Scientists should also understand the programming languages R, Python, Java, and SQL, so classes that provide hands-on experience with these programming languages will greatly benefit aspiring Data Scientists. Some courses focus on specific skills while others, such as certificate courses, cover a range of skills and topics.

Read more about if you need a degree to become a Data Scientist.

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.

Key Takeaways

• Data science careers best suit those who are naturally curious, analytical, enjoy problem-solving, and have an aptitude for math and science.
• When considering a data science career, keep in mind where and in what industry you wish to work in. 
• Researching different types of data science classes will help you find the learning path that fits your needs.
• You can receive comprehensive training to become a Data Scientist through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.