What if there was one skill you could acquire that would help you secure a job in any industry?
That skill set is: Data Science.
In a report published by IBM this year, demand for Data Scientists will soar by 28% in 2020. Key take aways from the report were:
- 59% of all Data Science and Analytics (DSA) job demand is in Finance and Insurance, Professional Services, and IT.
- By 2020 the number of Data Science and Analytics job vacancies are projected to grow to approximately 2,720,000.
- Machine learning, big data, and data science skills are the most challenging to recruit for.
Think of the sheer amount of data available to organisations and individuals today. As a result, we are no longer able to rely on humans to derive any meaningful insights. Instead we are relying on algorithms which has given birth to the term machine learning. The field of Data Science is bit of a moving target, with new jobs emerging daily - however below are the key roles you may wish to consider:
- Data Scientist / Engineer: I think this is one of those all encompassing titles. Every organisation can potentially benefit from someone who can analyse past performance of their business to predict future opportunities. The 'Data Scientist' role is more generalist and could be the first step into this field of work. You will need to be confident with stats and have the ability to communicate complex information in an accessible way.
- Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst: According to Microsoft, BI is all about simplifying data so that it can easily be used by decision makers within a business. This is a technology driven position, with few entry level roles.
- Machine Learning Specialist: Machine Learning is a method of teaching computers to make and improve behaviours and predictions based on use of data. As an individual you'll need excellent attention to detail and the ability to think creatively.
- Data Visualisation Specialist: this is an industry neutral role enabling you to work in any sector or business. The primary job is to creatively and appropriately visualise and present complex data. You'll need strong programming skills and knowledge of databases. This is a highly creative role.
- Business Analytics Specialist: a role requiring you to be business and tech savvy! This is more of a project management role where you work with technical teams to implement projects internally or for your clients.
So, inspired to find out more? Why not come along to our Careers Fair on 19-20 October, over 200 employers will be on campus. You can use this opportunity to learn about how they are approaching the big data conundrum and the opportunities available to you once you graduate.
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