Have you ever heard of data science? Those who work in this field are part of a new generation of analytical professionals with the technical skills to solve complex problems, as well as the curiosity to explore which questions need to be answered. But how does one become a data scientist?

Because it is a very important profession for the development of companies and startups of all sizes and segments, this professional has gained prominence in the market. This is reflected in the constant job opportunities and attractive salaries.

With that in mind, we've prepared this article to help you understand what a data scientist does and how to become a successful one. Happy reading!

So, what exactly does a data scientist do?

Data scientists use data to discover new solutions. To do this, they must know what they are looking for or what the requests are from the area they will be serving. There are several possibilities, such as transport companies interested in calculating more effective routes for their deliveries or online stores wanting to create a system of purchase recommendations for customers.

The professional evaluates all the collected data and defines hypotheses. In the examples we gave, the recommendation system could be based on previous searches and purchases, and transportation organization could be optimized using GPS data.

To achieve this, it is essential to have qualified individuals on the team who can analyze information and provide insights in a simple and objective way. Since the results need to be communicated to executives and managers who lack technical knowledge of the processes, the data scientist must have the ability to synthesize information in order to implement solutions and discoveries correctly.

What is the job market like for this professional?

To use Data Science It's inevitable and is already an essential source of competition and growth. After all, making data-driven decisions is highly relevant in any type of company.

From forecasting clothing demand for the next season to increasing profits on e-commerce products: everything depends on the work of a specialist in visualization, statistics, artificial intelligence, among other skills.

There are many multinational companies and startups that need data scientists to organize, process, analyze, and leverage the enormous amount of data generated daily.

Therefore, this is one of the most promising careers worldwide. In addition to the constant demand for specialists in the field, the average salary for a data scientist is R$7,500.00, according to Glassdoor, and can reach over R$13,000.00.

However, there is still a shortage of qualified workers to fill these jobs, with the skills to handle Big Data, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, etc.

How to become a successful data scientist?

There are several paths to becoming a successful data science professional. Check out our tips.

Investing in a good education

There are still no specific courses to train data scientists. Because it's a new profession, the market is still adapting. However, there are technical training programs in specific areas that can help those who wish to pursue this career.

You can, for example, take a course in Computer Engineering. At ESEG, the great advantage is that the academic training is broad and relates raw data to real-world applications, allowing the computer engineer Work in the field of Data Science.

Knowing various programming languages

Data scientists should know how to write code and be comfortable working with various programming tasks. The current landscape of data science is moving towards Python, with ramifications for R. In addition, many other languages are important, such as Java, Scala, and Octave.

Other areas that a data scientist should know how to work with include:

• dealing with large volumes of data;
• Manipulate data in real time;
• Mastering unstructured data, cloud computing, and statistical aspects.

Understanding statistics

Data science is a field for professionals who have skills and an aptitude for mathematics. In this sense, statistics are fundamental for a company to be able to trust the results and recommendations.

This involves working with statistical models such as optimization, random forests, regression, clustering, decision trees, among others.

What are the most sought-after skills in the market?

To achieve success, data scientists must be versatile and have a strong desire to learn. Discover the skills these professionals have in common.

Communication

Virtually everything related to areas of technology Data science is no different, and it's achieved through integrations between systems, data, applications, and people. Therefore, professionals in this field must know how to communicate with all project stakeholders using clear and precise language.

Intuition

Having good intuition means perceiving patterns in data, even if other people can't identify them. With this, it's possible to locate valuable information and make your work more efficient. This skill comes with experience, and to acquire it, constant training is essential. apprenticeship.

Data Mining

Knowledge of Machine Learning and Data Mining algorithms is essential. Data scientists must master these areas and be able to manipulate data to extract valuable information.

Furthermore, the professional must know when to use each technique in relation to the project objectives. It is also important to know when to apply data preprocessing techniques.

Data management

Data reaches the company through various sources: mobile devices, operating software, the internet, internal networks, and many others. To ensure everything is organized, protected, and used in the best possible way, a well-planned and executed data management system is essential.

Business development

Knowing how to develop businesses is essential for anyone working in a technology team. Professionals need to understand the weaknesses of the business environment in order to understand how to apply digital resources to achieve the desired results in each scenario.

Now that you know how to become a data scientist, remember that investing in a quality education is the first—and most important—step. Having a degree from a recognized university helps open doors and provides the necessary skills to develop your career, such as creating algorithms to solve data problems.

Did you enjoy learning more about the profession and want additional information on how to become a data scientist? Then, continue reading and check out a... complete guide under
re the Computer Engineering course.