With data science becoming the most sought-after career alongside other IT-related fields, more and more people choose data science to be something they’ll do for their living.
In the past years, IT careers have been known as the hardest ones to learn but most rewarding. However, with more specialized people, studying data science today can be a real pleasure. This is why many students even decide to get PG in Data Science and become true masters of their craft.
However, every journey must come to an end sometimes, and so does studying. Starting a career is a scary thing for most people, as it marks a new chapter in their lives, with new challenges.
So, if you’re starting a career in data science, here are nine essential tips that’ll help you break the ice and show what you’ve been studying for!
Choose a Specific Role
Data Science is quite a broad field, so now is the time to focus on something more specific. Data Scientist, Data Architect, Data Engineer, and Data Analyst are just some of the most popular positions. Research what interests you and what you’re good at to find out what is the best career path for you.
Choose a Language and Perfect It
Just as choosing a specific role, choosing one language is equally important. While it’s often helpful to be the jack of all trades, you’ll find better job opportunities if you focus on one thing and master it. So, decide on your desired language and practice it to become better every day.
Balance Theory and Practice
After choosing a specific role and language, find a way to balance theory and practice. Even if you finished your college degree, updating and perfecting your skills is something you’ll need to do during your entire career. Especially in data science, novelties are never-ending, so managing your time between equally important theory and practice will reward you with excellent benefits.
Be Informed
As mentioned previously, data science, like any other field, is prone to changes. There’s always something newer and better, so keeping up with the latest creations, designs, and innovations is a must for staying relevant and up to date.
To achieve that, follow interesting blogs, pages, magazines, websites, and your favorite data scientists to always get fresh information first-hand.
Research and Explore
Besides following fellow data scientists’ activities, there are other ways to stay in touch with your profession. By conducting your own research and exploring the world of data science, you may be the one who comes to some conclusions before anyone else.
Even if you don’t find anything new, exploring the possibilities and broadening your horizons is always a good practice in data science.
Meet New People
A data science career isn’t all about sitting in front of your computer. Although that might make you a better data scientist, it won’t bring you joy while working. Meeting new people and forming friendships and trust between colleagues is crucial for a company to work in harmony.
You’ll be surprised how the atmosphere in a company can change when people come to work happy and energized. So, make sure you make those connections and get to know people sharing your passion for data science.
Join a Peer Group
Another way of meeting new people is by joining a peer group. Here, you know you’ll meet people who share similar interests, and they’re present in person or online. Peer groups are an excellent way of networking, but you can also get countless benefits out of them. For example, you can prepare for an interview with the help of your peers, ask them about a company, or maybe even get a job offer!
Work on Other Skills
Being outstanding at your job is excellent, but sometimes that’s not enough. In companies, people will assess your other skills not strictly related to the job position to see whether they want you as a part of their team.
So, working on other skills is the key to success. Specifically, communication skills are something you’ll surely need, so meeting new people and joining a peer group is great for practicing communication too.
Work on Your Resume
You never know when you’ll get a better job position with even better benefits. Progress is a sign you’re doing your job well, so expect to leave your starting company at one point in the future. Working on your resume and keeping it updated will help you stay relevant and competitive, so prepare for headhunters approaching you with a better offer.
Conclusion
In sum, starting a data science career includes much more than your programming skills. Although they are crucial, you mustn’t neglect other skills. Communication is the key to success, so do everything you can to make your communication skills excellent. Not only will you be successful at job interviews, but you’ll also easily meet colleagues, partners, peers, and all people you’re working with.
Data Science Engineer image source: cleanpng.com