Data Scientist
Careers Explorer:
Turn raw data into meaningful information that organisations can use to improve their business.
Overview
Data science is a broad field spanning maths, statistics, software engineering and communications.
Organisations are increasingly collecting and using large amounts of data and it’s your job to use that data to find patterns and help improve the business.
You may use that data to predict people’s buying habits for example and then use that information to help shape a company’s strategy.
You’ll have to extract, analyse and interpret large amounts of data from a range of sources, using algorithmic, data mining, artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical tools, in order to make it accessible to businesses. And you’ll need to present your findings using clear and engaging language.
Data Scientists are in demand across a range of sectors from health and Government to retails and e-commerce and you’ll need the right combination of technical, analytical and communication skills.
Top 5 Tasks
- Use data to propose solutions for effective decision making
- Build algorithms and design experiments
- Use machine learning tools and statistical techniques
- Create reports that tell compelling stories about how customers or clients work with the business
- Assess the effectiveness of data sources.
Salary
Salaries for junior Data Scientists tend to start at around £25,000 rising to £40,000 with experience.
Lead and chief Data Scientists can earn upwards of £60,000, in some cases reaching more than £100,000.
Am I Suited?
- Technically minded
- Good communicator
- Maths geek
- Analytical thinker
- Problem-solver
The leading employers for Data Scientists are currently in the finance, retail and ecommerce sectors.
Qualifications
You’ll typically need a degree in a computer science, mathematical or science-based subject to work as a Data Scientist and you’ll need a good understanding of programming language.
