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Getting Ahead As A Specialist In Data Science

Luke Frost our consultant managing the role
Author: Luke Frost
Posting date: 12/23/2020 10:42 AM
For professionals working in Data Science, the discipline is all about discovery, insights and innovation. Rapid advancements in the adoption of data and technologies, coupled with organisations feeling the strain of the mass of data they have, means that Data Scientists are in high demand.

To stay ahead of the competition, companies must continuously look for unique ways to extract insights from the large volumes of data they acquire. This is where professionals from Data Science come in. Their skills lie in correlating data points, mapping out trends and identifying insights that support organisations to action change and/or enhance their growth.

Now more than ever, due to the global pandemic, opportunities to move into a career in this space are vast. From Data Scientists, to Data Engineers and Heads of Analytics and Machine Learning, the possibilities for professionals in this discipline are limitless. Here are just a handful of the things you should know for a career in Data Science.

Data Science is supporting the future


According to the 2020 Emerging Jobs Report published by LinkedIn, the role of the Data Scientist continues to be an incredibly important one within data, analytics and technology. It also shows that, in our core markets, this position continues to be one of the top emerging roles:

  • USA, it is third
  • UK, it is seventh
  • Germany, it is eighth
  • France, it is tenth

Data Science is a discipline that is growing. In the past year, we have seen these professionals demonstrate their ability to adapt into industries such as retail, banking and medicine, where we have seen such sharp change in consumer habits and a step up in global demand. They are all poised and ready to make use of Data Science functions and analytics.

Take healthcare and medicine, for example. New collaborations, funding routes and systems for sharing data will shape research from now on. Data supports the way in which we interpret information and provides a means for us to make predictions, spot new trends and developments as well as better managing supply chains and organisational planning. Taking on a role as a Data Scientist or engineer will ultimately be a purpose-driven career, driving future innovations and making a range of business processes simpler and more effective.

Professionals require an array of skills


The way in which we have become connected today is ubiquitous. It is this level of connectivity that is having a direct impact on the way in which organisations operate (and how their consumers make use of services), due to the growing levels of data that are being collected and are then required to be interpreted and managed. Professionals working within the realms of Data Science need to keep this link in mind as their career and new project opportunities arise.

Whilst it is crucial for these specialists to have unique skills such as Apache Spark, Data Science, Machine Learning and Python, they also need to have a clear understanding of statistics, hold business development skills and be clear communicators. Particularly of Data Scientists and engineers, it is imperative to really understand what the customer is looking for from the software, be able to handle multiple projects side-by-side and have excellent end-to-end experience across relevant frameworks.

Professionals should take the time to bolster these skills, particularly for technical needs, by completing ongoing online courses, speaking to industry experts and staying updated with the latest iterations of programming and data languages.

There are a range of career opportunities for skilled, savvy Data Science professionals with an interest in data and analytics on the table. The discipline is determined by technology and trends, making for a dynamic, rapidly developing industry that is growing at an unprecedented rate. Critically, as the industry continues to advance and demand for skilled professionals grows, there will be plenty of opportunity for you to make your mark.

If you’re a Data Scientist looking to take a step up or are looking for the next member of your team, we can help. Take a look at our latest opportunities or get in touch with one of our expert consultants to find out more.

Related blog & news

With over 10 years experience working solely in the Data & Analytics sector our consultants are able to offer detailed insights into the industry.

Visit our Blogs & News portal or check out the related posts below.

What’s Keeping Women Out Of Data Science?

Data Science, the extraction of data to provide meaningful knowledge and insight, is experiencing a surge in growth within Data & Analytics. It is a fast-growing specialism, and talent in this area is in demand, with there being a 650 per cent increase in data science jobs since 2012. Simply put, pretty soon Data Science is going to play a fundamental role in every industry across the globe. Organisations have to adapt and make use of a range of Data Science tools and techniques or they will simply be forced out of business. LinkedIn recognised in their Emerging Jobs report that the role of a Data Scientist sits in the top three in the US, citing significant advancements in the emphasis on using data for this growth. Comparatively in the UK, this role lands within the top 10 at number seven.  Yet, our research tells us that in the UK, 25 per cent of female professionals work within Data Science, with this number dipping to just 20 per cent in the US. So, how can we support more women to enter the specialism? Encourage access to opportunities  Organisations need to continue to hire highly skilled technical talent to keep up with the growth that we are witnessing in the Data Science specialism. Yet, time and time again, working in Data Science can be seen to be an unattractive career proposition – in particular to women. To counteract this, business leaders need to make the role and rewards of becoming a Data Scientist visible within their organisation. Showcasing the range of projects and campaigns that are available, as well as providing opportunities for women to accelerate their careers and follow a pathway that suits them is critical. Education of STEM roles from a young age In order to see more women moving into roles within Data Science, industry leaders from within STEM fields need to take control and lead the way in educating women on the array of opportunities available. Through supporting, organising or hosting workshops, webinars and conferences, organisations can introduce women at entry-level to what careers in Data Science actually look like. This week for example in the UK, we’re currently in the middle of British Science Week. It is initiatives like these that build upon the education that is needed to promote roles in technical fields. Building up communities In the past year, we’ve all come to rely on our connections to provide insight and support during this period of uncertainty and change. This should be a continued focus moving forwards, building communities, networking and sharing knowledge in order to create an informed, educated and engaged workforce that attracts (and retains) female professionals. Within female-focused networks and groups, organisations can support women in advancing their careers, advocating for themselves and acting as a platform to showcase the opportunities that are available to women looking to move into a role in Data & Analytics. The consequence of ignoring these actions is a lack of diversity. We know that diverse teams perform better, and so welcoming in and making the Data Science specialism an attractive career consideration for women is critical. As the industry continues to advance and demand for skilled professionals grows, there will be plenty of opportunity for top talent to make their mark. If you're looking to take the next step in your career or build out a diverse Data & Analytics team, we may be able to help. Take a look at our latest opportunities or get in touch with one of our expert consultants to find out more. 

Francesca Curtis

Francesca Curtis

11. March 2021

How Are Data & Analytics Professionals Mapping COVID Trends With Data?

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted industries across the globe. There’s no ignoring that simple fact. This disruption (most notably) caused devastating effects in two strands: to our health and to business operations. As the virus spread, the health and wellbeing of people in society worsened, and businesses felt the strain of projects being placed on hold, and work slowing or completely grinding to a halt. As of the 24th February 2021, the disease has infected more than 112,237,188 people, with 2,487,349 reported deaths. For Data & Analytics professionals, it soon became evident that they could use their skills to help. Using the mass of data available, professionals and researchers turned to big data analytics tools to track and monitor the virus’s spread, along with a variety of trends. Here’s how: Genomics and sequencing Life science is a significant application within Data & Analytics and explores the study of all living things on earth. One particular section of this study looks at the concept of genomic sequencing.  Genomic sequencing is significant as it allows us looks at the entire genetic code of a virus – in this case, COVID-19. Most importantly, the technique means that researchers and analysts can identify dangerous mutations and track movements of specific variants. We know that the UK has the most advanced system for tracing covid variants too. Last year, Britain launched one of the world’s largest coronavirus sequencing projects, by investing £20 million in the Covid-19 Genomics UK consortium. In a group that included NHS researchers, public health agencies, academic partners and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, they set out to map the genetic code of as many strains of the coronavirus as possible. And the buy-in paid off. It took the US approximately 72 days to process and share each genetic sequence, compared with 23 days for UK researchers, according to figures compiled by the Broad Institute with data from Gisaid. Tech giants stepping in Ultimately, your organisation is more agile than you think it is. Regardless of the size of the business, or the industry in which it operates, the sector’s response in applying analysis and data to track the coronavirus was nothing short of miraculous. Google introduced a series of features such as popular times and live busyness, COVID-19 alerts in transit, and COVID checkpoints in driving navigation in order to keep their one billion (and growing) app users safe. They also introduced the COVID layer in Maps, a tool that shows critical information about COVID-19 cases in a given area, allowing their customers  to make informed decisions about where to go and what to do. Apple also released a mobility data trends tool from Apple Maps. This data was shared in order to provide insights to local governments and health authorities so that they could support mapping specific covid trends. These first-hand examples indicate the influence and power of using data to better our understanding of the virus. Before the coronavirus pandemic, professionals, businesses and industries alike worked in siloes. What we have witnessed since has been very much the opposite, as experts quickly came together to begin mapping out data requirements and supporting the world’s focus to improve the public’s health and get businesses back on their feet. Without Data & Analytics, none of this would be possible. If you're looking to take the next step in your career or build out a diverse Data & Analytics team, we may be able to help. Take a look at our latest opportunities or get in touch with one of our expert consultants to find out more. 

Amy Topcakan

Amy Topcakan

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