6 answers
2
Questions
Asked
956 views
I want to be a data scientist, what skills do i need?
I want to be a data scientist, but I do not know what skills I need to learn or what majors I should take in college.
Login to comment
6 answers
Updated
Marcos’s Answer
To become a data scientist, you need a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming. You should also be able to think critically and creatively, and be able to communicate your findings effectively.
Here are some of the specific skills that you will need to be a data scientist:
- Mathematics and statistics
- Programming
- Critical thinking and creativity
- Communication
In addition, these soft skills are also required:
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Communication
If you are interested in becoming a data scientist, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Take courses in maths, statistics and programming
- Get involved in data science projects. There are many online and offline resources that can help you get started
- Network with other data scientists. Attend meetups, conferences, and online forums
- Build a portfolio of your work. This will help you showcase your skills to potential employees.
Here are some of the specific skills that you will need to be a data scientist:
- Mathematics and statistics
- Programming
- Critical thinking and creativity
- Communication
In addition, these soft skills are also required:
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Communication
If you are interested in becoming a data scientist, there are a few things you can do to prepare:
- Take courses in maths, statistics and programming
- Get involved in data science projects. There are many online and offline resources that can help you get started
- Network with other data scientists. Attend meetups, conferences, and online forums
- Build a portfolio of your work. This will help you showcase your skills to potential employees.
Thank you very much Marco, your answer helped me very much on what skills I need. Do you know any free resources to learn those skills?.
Zion
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Zion!
If you're wanting to get a jump-start on prepping for a Data Scientist degree and eventual position, I would really recommend taking some online courses to introduce yourself to SQL, Excel, and a coding language like Python. There are many different free video series on YouTube and LinkedIn that you can take at your own pace to introduce you to these topics.
This will help you in a couple of ways. First, its extremely likely you will take courses in college that use either SQL, Excel, and Python or (like me) all three. If you take courses now and start to become familiar, you'll not only have an easier time in those classes but will likely learn more from them. Second, these skills are used in jobs across many different industries. If you start college and find that you want to choose a different career path than a traditional Data Scientist, these skills would still be extremely helpful to have and would set you apart from your peers who might not have started learning earlier.
Hope this helps and provides some direction!
If you're wanting to get a jump-start on prepping for a Data Scientist degree and eventual position, I would really recommend taking some online courses to introduce yourself to SQL, Excel, and a coding language like Python. There are many different free video series on YouTube and LinkedIn that you can take at your own pace to introduce you to these topics.
This will help you in a couple of ways. First, its extremely likely you will take courses in college that use either SQL, Excel, and Python or (like me) all three. If you take courses now and start to become familiar, you'll not only have an easier time in those classes but will likely learn more from them. Second, these skills are used in jobs across many different industries. If you start college and find that you want to choose a different career path than a traditional Data Scientist, these skills would still be extremely helpful to have and would set you apart from your peers who might not have started learning earlier.
Hope this helps and provides some direction!
Thank you, Jack
This was super helpful😁.
Zion
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
Python, Tableau, etc. This is a great course that would help you get a job or know more of what to learn about. https://grow.google/certificates/data-analytics/
Thank you so much!
Zion
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
Check out this article: https://www.simplilearn.com/what-skills-do-i-need-to-become-a-data-scientist-article
Thank you so much i’ll look into it.
Zion
Updated
Timothee’s Answer
Hey there, Zion! It's super exciting to see your interest in such a fascinating field. Kudos to you for planning ahead!
Data Science is a unique blend of math, statistics, and programming. If your college provides a Data Science major, that's an excellent choice as it'll likely cover all the essential basics. However, if that's not an option, you can always major in a related field. Here are two routes you could consider:
- Majoring in math or statistics is one way to go. Alongside this, it would be beneficial to get some programming experience. This could be through college courses if available, or by self-learning via online tutorials and projects. I'd suggest starting with Python programming basics and SQL, a popular language for managing and manipulating data.
- Alternatively, a computer science major could be your path. In this case, you'd want to supplement your studies with relevant math and statistics courses, especially if your major doesn't cover these aspects. Key areas to begin with include introductions to statistics and probabilities, as well as basic calculus (at least a solid understanding of functions and derivatives would be helpful).
Remember, there's no one 'right' path. The most important thing is to follow your interests and keep learning. Good luck!
Data Science is a unique blend of math, statistics, and programming. If your college provides a Data Science major, that's an excellent choice as it'll likely cover all the essential basics. However, if that's not an option, you can always major in a related field. Here are two routes you could consider:
- Majoring in math or statistics is one way to go. Alongside this, it would be beneficial to get some programming experience. This could be through college courses if available, or by self-learning via online tutorials and projects. I'd suggest starting with Python programming basics and SQL, a popular language for managing and manipulating data.
- Alternatively, a computer science major could be your path. In this case, you'd want to supplement your studies with relevant math and statistics courses, especially if your major doesn't cover these aspects. Key areas to begin with include introductions to statistics and probabilities, as well as basic calculus (at least a solid understanding of functions and derivatives would be helpful).
Remember, there's no one 'right' path. The most important thing is to follow your interests and keep learning. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Timothee!
Zion
Updated
Ben’s Answer
Taking the leap into the role of a data analyst could be a great starting point for you, and it'll open up the opportunity for you to explore the exciting world of Data Science further down the line.
Start by getting comfortable with excel. It's a powerful tool, and learning how to effectively use formulas, pivot tables, and functions like vlookup can really boost your analytical capabilities.
Before you dive into the nitty-gritty of numbers, it's important to understand how to clean your data. Look up some tutorials on ETL - you'll find plenty of resources online. Websites like Kaggle offer free data and a platform to practice, so why not set up an account, download some data, and start experimenting?
As you progress, it could be very advantageous to pick up some coding skills, particularly in Python, R, and SQL. If coding isn't your cup of tea, don't worry! You can also learn to use Business Intelligence tools like Tableau, Qlik, or Power BI. These tools allow you to create impressive dashboards complete with charts and tables, offering deep visual analysis. They're user-friendly, widely used in the corporate world, and can make data interpretation a breeze.
Remember, every step you take is a step closer to your goal. Best of luck on your journey!
Start by getting comfortable with excel. It's a powerful tool, and learning how to effectively use formulas, pivot tables, and functions like vlookup can really boost your analytical capabilities.
Before you dive into the nitty-gritty of numbers, it's important to understand how to clean your data. Look up some tutorials on ETL - you'll find plenty of resources online. Websites like Kaggle offer free data and a platform to practice, so why not set up an account, download some data, and start experimenting?
As you progress, it could be very advantageous to pick up some coding skills, particularly in Python, R, and SQL. If coding isn't your cup of tea, don't worry! You can also learn to use Business Intelligence tools like Tableau, Qlik, or Power BI. These tools allow you to create impressive dashboards complete with charts and tables, offering deep visual analysis. They're user-friendly, widely used in the corporate world, and can make data interpretation a breeze.
Remember, every step you take is a step closer to your goal. Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you so much ben for the detailed response I’ll definitely put it into go use!
Zion