By Ayushi Chauhan (BBA 1st Year)
WHAT IS DATA SCIENCE
Data, the raw form of information.
Science, the practical activity of studying the structural and behavioural pattern of environment through observation and experiments.
Thus, data science. The domain of study that deals with vast volumes of data and derives meaningful information, helps in seeing unseen patterns and assists in taking business decisions using various modern tools.
In business terms, Data science refers to analysing the raw form of information i.e. data into a processed form with the help of statistics, algorithms, mathematics, machine learning, computer science and other analytical tools to build predictive business models by asking right questions at the right time.
For example, you’re starting off a digital marketing business and want to buy computers/laptops online. The very first question popping up in your mind would be your budget. Then you would find a website selling computers/laptops that will fit in your budget and after that the latest budget friendly software updates. These questions would help you gather the required data and assist you in making the right decisions.
ANALYTICAL TOOLS
Before starting off, one should be aware of the prerequisites of data science. These technical concepts are the basic backbones of data science without which it wouldn’t have existed.
• Machine Learning : Python, Algebra, Algorithms and statistics are the main skills a data scientist must’ve a solid grasp on.
• Mathematical Modeling : Also a part of machine learning, modeling enables you to identify the right mathematical algorithms to work upon the given situation. This also enables to make quick calculations and predictions based on the given data.
• Statistics : The heart of any field, statistics helps in reading the data more effectively and efficiently with the help of graphs and charts as a sturdy handle on statistics can help extract more meaningful results.
• Programming : It makes everything easier! The most common languages Python and R are easy to learn and execute. They also support multiple libraries from data science and machine learning.
• Databases : Databases like SQL (structured query language) helps in collecting the information electronically in a structured way. Database systems can be very important to the business because they communicate information related to sales, product inventory, customer profiles and marketing activities etc.
DATA SCIENTIST
A data science analyst or a data scientist have a lot of jobs to perform which cannot be defined in words but what he/she mainly does is analysis, studying the business data and processing it with the help of various complex analytical tools which further provides instance in taking future decisions. In a series of steps what a data scientist does is –
1. understands the situation/problem by asking right questions
2. gathers appropriate data from reliable and suitable resources
3. processes and analyses the raw data
4. feeds the processed data into the analytical system
5. provides required results and insights
After getting results from the data scientists, the businessmen takes the required decisions to expand and grow their businesses.
CAREER
As students, you must be interested in knowing about the career of data science by now. The job roles available in the field are mainly four-
• Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Data Consultant
• Data Analyst
There are various Postgraduate programs available in India that would provide you the learning matter for data science and easily get you into the field. The eligibility criteria for it is BCA/ B.Sc Statistics / B.Sc Mathematics / B. Sc Computer Science / B.Sc IT./ BE or BTech or equivalent degree from a recognized university.
In other words, to enter data science earn a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, math, physics, or another related field then a master’s degree in data or related field and gain experience in the field you intend to work in (healthcare, physics, business etc).
Since a degree is considered mandatory in our Indian education system, I had to tell you about the courses. But, there’s a skill secret. Any company wouldn’t hire you just on the basis of your degree they’ll surely test your skills as well and that is why you can straight up go for interview if you have mastered the required skills even without a degree because at the end a pale paper can’t decide your destiny but you yourself can!
FUTURE JOBS
Over the last few years, the field of data science has been growing vacancies significantly. According to the 2019 reports of Glassdoor, the average salary of a data scientist in the United States is $113,000 or Rs.907,000 per annum. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted the rise of data science jobs to 11.5 million by 2026.
India has emerged as the second highest country next to the US to have generated the demand to recruit about 50,000 Data Scientists for 2020 and 2021. The average salary for a Data Scientist with less than 1 year of experience is about 7 LPA in the Indian market.
These stats and reports show how high can the demand of data science can go in the upcoming years.
CONCLUSION Just like petrol or diesel in a car, data and data science is the fuel for industries. They rely on market research and analysis for any decision. And thus, this fuel is gonna be the next demand of the IT sector. They say that the world is small. I say it is, but with huge compartments and divisions in between. There are a lot of new fields which would emerge with time and exceed these divisions. The future is uncertain and that is why we have science for predictions!
By Ayushi Chauhan (BBA 1st Year)
