Data science has exponentially progressed in the last decade. By virtue of its diversity and its correlation with a large number of subjects, it has prospered by leaps and bounds. When we look at the leading technologies of the present times, we find them to have a strong correlation with data science. For instance, cloud computing and Big Data Analytics form part and parcel of the data science course syllabus. Other important components of the data science syllabus include natural language processing and business intelligence. In this article, we look at various domains and skills that have a direct relation to data science.

A science of skills

Data science has rightly been referred to as a science of skills. There are two broad types of skills when it comes to data science. The first category is that of soft skills. Soft skills are easy to develop with the help of critical thinking and curiosity. One of the important traits that are needed to develop soft skills in data science is effective communication and dialogue. If one has a particular inclination towards business acumen, it is considered highly desirable. Apart from this, the problem-solving attitude of a person forms the cornerstone of soft skills. The soft skills of a data scientist help in adapting to an innovative ecosystem and enable him to strategize the analytical process.

There are four major foundations related to the hard skills in data science. Undoubtedly, the first major foundation of hard skills in data science is the technique of machine learning. Machine learning encompasses the knowledge of various advanced algorithms, statistics, and probability and even helps in dimensionality reduction, making a problem easier to solve. The second important skill is related to text mining. Other skills are related to text mining and these include data handling and data wrangling processes. The knowledge of descriptive analytics and visualization is highly desirable and is considered a big positive. The third important skill is related to natural language processing. Natural language processing enables seamless interactions between humans and machines. Finally, the last important skill that we talk about is Big Data Analytics. Though the area of Big Data Analytics is a vast subject in itself, it falls under the domain of data science.

How big is big data analytics?

The ecosystem of Big Data Analytics is quite vast and diverse. It imbibes different kinds of techniques and methodologies that harness the power of data to form strategies and shape critical decisions. For this, data processing and data management are important parameters. With the help of statistical models and predictive analytics, we can scale various growth trajectories of businesses. In this way, Big Data Analytics not only serves as a lifeline for business intelligence but also holds the key to handle upcoming data streams in the future.

Decoding the code

One of the important hurdles that people face to spark off a career in data science is the fear of coding skills. To bust this myth, it is important to consider a report from Statista. According to this report, high levels of automation shortly will do away with the need for coding skills in major tech-based jobs. That said, a basic familiarity with functions and programming logic is sufficient to kick start a career in data science. There are a minority of jobs that are dependent on strong programming skills in the domain of data science. These jobs are related to the fields of research and development. Hence, the majority of jobs in the domain of data science do not require programming skills.

Final remarks: Course duration and salary

The course duration of data science ranges from 2 months to 4 months. In other cases, this timeline is 3 months to 6 months. The timeline is dependent upon the intensity of the course and the nature of specialization. As far as the salary of a data scientist is concerned, it is one of the highest-paid jobs of the 21st century as reported by Gartner. If we are to quantify the salary of a data scientist as per Glassdoor, it is about 1100 K per year.