A data scientist is a professional responsible for collecting, analyzing and interpreting extremely large amounts of data.
Who should become a data scientist?
Data scientists are highly educated – 88% have at least a Master’s degree and 46% have PhDs – and while there are notable exceptions, a very strong educational background is usually required to develop the depth of knowledge necessary to be a data scientist.
Is Data Science hard?
Like any other field, with proper guidance Data Science can become an easy field to learn about, and one can build a career in the field. However, as it is vast, it is easy for a beginner to get lost and lose sight, making the learning experience difficult and frustrating.
Where can I work as a data scientist?
Data science experts are needed in virtually every job sector opt just in technology. In fact, the five biggest tech companies Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook only employ one half of one percent of U.S. employees.
Below is How to Become Data Scientist South Africa
A combination of educational background, training and skills is required. Here are a few of the qualifications and educational experiences you will need:
A degree in a quantitative field (physics, maths, statistics, finance, economics, computer science, etc).
A higher degree/research (master’s, PhD) in a quantitative field. Although this is not a strict requirement, it does come in handy since it gives one the necessary problem-solving skills. And, in most cases, it also provides for the necessary coding skills that are gained through research.
A direct entry through a four year Bachelor’s degree in data science is becoming common. In South Africa, for example, top universities such as Wits, UCT, UP and the University of Stellenbosch, among others, are offering specialised degrees in data science or data analytics.
Transitioning into a data scientist role from other closely related roles such as quantitative analyst/developer, software engineer/developer, business intelligence analyst, statistician among other is possible. This is possible by leveraging domain knowledge and other skills useful in data science and closing the gap by taking self-taught courses.
Short courses are also offered to upskill graduates who do not necessarily have the skills (coding, statistics) gained through study.
Online courses/boot camps and MOOCs (massive open online learning courses) are also becoming popular in closing the skills gap.
Below are five skills needed to become a data scientist in South Africa
1. Statistics
Prepares the data scientist to analyse data in a scientific way. This includes but is not limited to distributions, linear regression, probability theory, Bayesian statistics, statistical tests, etc.
2. Programming
It is a necessary tool in the data scientist’s toolbox. It helps the data scientist to analyze data and use different algorithms to deliver a solution in code.
The two most commonly used languages in use by the data science community are Python and R. Modules/Packages are available in both languages, which make it easy to do data analysis, visualization, machine learning, etc.
3. Curiosity
One of the most important skills of a data scientist is curiosity. The data scientist is eager to find patterns in data, not afraid to investigate ‘anomalies’ and come up with a sound reason why such patterns or anomalies exist.
4. Data wrangling
This is the ability to extract data from various sources, to clean up the data and transform it in a required format.
5. Story telling
This covers the ability to explain one’s findings to a non-technical audience and business to aid them with their decision-making. Great communication skills are needed to translate findings into insights.
What qualifications do I need to be a data scientist in South Africa?
The truth is, most data scientists have a Master’s degree or Ph. D and they also undertake online training to learn a special skill like how to use Hadoop or Big Data querying. Therefore, you can enroll for a master’s degree program in the field of Data science, Mathematics, Astrophysics or any other related field.
How long does it take to study data science in South Africa?
Data Science Training In South Africa
Our Data Science Accredited Skills Programme is an intense one year course that teaches students what they need to know: how to work with SQL like a Pro, how to code in Python like a mamba and how to use the latest machine learning algorithms like a ninja.
Is data science hard to learn?
Because of the often technical requirements for Data Science jobs, it can be more challenging to learn than other fields in technology. Getting a firm handle on such a wide variety of languages and applications does present a rather steep learning curve.
How much does a Junior data Scientist earn in South Africa?
Salary Range: a Data Scientist can expect an average starting salary of R 353 506. The highest salaries can exceed R 1 230 000.
Data Scientist – Salary Differences.
| Job | Salary | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Data Scientist | R 366K/year | -33% |
Is data science a good career in South Africa?
Data Science jobs have been hailed as being amongst the “sexiest jobs of the 20th Century” by Harvard Business Review. Consequently, people with the required skills are sought after as the need for storing, working and securing data grows.
Is data science a stressful job?
First, data scientists typically work in stressful environments. They may be part of a team, but it’s more frequent that they spend time working alone. Long hours are frequent, especially when you’re pushing to solve a big problem or finish a project, and expectations for your performance are high.
What is a data analyst salary in South Africa?
Data Analyst Average Salary
The average salary for a Data Analyst in SA is R 30 600 gross per month (R 367 200 gross per year), which is 32% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Data Analyst can expect an average starting salary of R 15 230. The highest salaries can exceed R 64 040.
Are data science jobs boring?
Yes, its pretty boring if you do not have interest in it. Here is what can make it boring: You do not usually use your analysis, there is some other team that calls the shots. You have to like coding in Python, Java etc.