New York Times considers Data Science as a “hot new field that promises to revolutionize industries from business to government, health care to academia.” However, there are a variety of different jobs and roles under the data science umbrella to choose from.

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Here is a comprehensive list:

Job Roles in Data Science

Data analysts are responsible for a variety of tasks including visualisation, munging, and processing of massive amounts of data. They also have to perform queries on the databases from time to time. One of the most important skills of a data analyst is optimization. This is because they have to create and modify algorithms that can be used to cull information from some of the biggest databases without corrupting the data.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Data Analyst include:

• Extracting data from primary and secondary sources using automated tools
• Developing and maintaining databases
• Performing data analysis and making reports with recommendations
• Analyzing data and forecasting trends that impact the organization/project
• Working with other team members to improve data collection and quality processes

How to Become a Data Analyst?
SQL, R, SAS, Python are some of the sought after technologies for data analysis. So, certification in these can easily give a boost to your job applications. You should also have good problem-solving qualities.

Data engineers build and test scalable Big Data ecosystems for the businesses so that the data scientists can run their algorithms on the data systems that are stable and highly optimized. Data engineers also update the existing systems with newer or upgraded versions of the current technologies to improve the efficiency of the databases.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Data Engineer include:

• Design and maintain data management systems
• Data collection/acquisition and management
• Conducting primary and secondary research
• Finding hidden patterns and forecasting trends using data
• Collaborating with other teams to perceive organizational goals
• Make reports and update stakeholders based on analytics

How to Become a Data Engineer?
If you are interested in a career as a data engineer, then technologies that require hands-on experience include Hive, NoSQL, R, Ruby, Java, C++, and Matlab. It would also help if you can work with popular data APIs and ETL tools, etc.

3. Database Administrator

The job profile of a database administrator is pretty much self-explanatory- they are responsible for the proper functioning of all the databases of an enterprise and grant or revoke its services to the employees of the company depending on their requirements. They are also responsible for database backups and recoveries.

Read Also: Data Science Skills Study 2019

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Database Administrator include:

• Working on database softwares to store and manage data
• Working on database design and development
• Implementing security measures for database
• Preparing reports, documentation, and operating manuals
• Data archiving
• Working closely with programmers, project managers, and other team members

How to Become a Database Administrator?
Some of the essential skills and talents of a database administrator include database backup and recovery, data security, data modelling, and design, etc. If you are good at disaster management, it’s certainly a bonus.

Machine learning engineers are in high demand today. However, the job profile comes with its challenges. Apart from having in-depth knowledge in some of the most powerful technologies such as SQL, REST APIs, etc. machine learning engineers are also expected to perform A/B testing, build data pipelines, and implement common machine learning algorithms such as classification, clustering, etc.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Machine Learning Engineer include:

• Designing and developing Machine Learning systems
• Researching on Machine Learning Algorithms
• Testing Machine Learning systems
• Developing apps/products basis client requirements
• Extending existing Machine Learning frameworks and libraries
• Exploring and visualizing data for better understanding
• Training and retraining systems

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer?
Firstly, you must have a sound knowledge of some of the technologies like Java, Python, JS, etc. Secondly, you should have a strong grasp of statistics and mathematics. Once you have mastered both, it’s a lot easier to crack a job interview.

Data scientists have to understand the challenges of business and offer the best solutions using data analysis and data processing. For instance, they are expected to perform predictive analysis and run a fine-toothed comb through an “unstructured/disorganized” data to offer actionable insights. They can also do this by identifying trends and patterns that can help the companies in making better decisions.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Data Scientist include:

• Identifying data collection sources for business needs
• Processing, cleansing, and integrating data
• Automation data collection and management process
• Using Data Science techniques/tools to improve processes
• Analyzing large amounts of data to forecast trends and provide reports with recommendations
• Collaborating with business, engineering, and product teams

How to Become a Data Scientist?
To become a data scientist, you have to be an expert in R, MatLab, SQL, Python, and other complementary technologies. It can also help if you have a higher degree in mathematics or computer engineering, etc.

A data architect creates the blueprints for data management so that the databases can be easily integrated, centralized, and protected with the best security measures. They also ensure that the data engineers have the best tools and systems to work with.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Data Architect include:

• Developing and implementing overall data strategy in line with business/organization
• Identifying data collection sources in line with data strategy
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders for smooth functioning of database systems
• Planning and managing end-to-end data architecture
• Maintaining database systems/architecture considering efficiency and security
• Regular auditing of data management system performance and making changes to improve systems accordingly.

How to Become a Data Architect?
A career in data architecture requires expertise in data warehousing, data modelling, extraction transformation and loan (ETL), etc. You also must be well versed in Hive, Pig, and Spark, etc.

Read Also: 15 Most Common Data Science Interview Questions

A statistician, as the name suggests, has a sound understanding of statistical theories and data organization. Not only do they extract and offer valuable insights from the data clusters, but they also help create new methodologies for the engineers to apply.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Statistician include:

• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Analyzing data, assessing results, and predicting trends/relationships using statistical methodologies/tools
• Designing data collection processes
• Communicating findings to stakeholders
• Advising/consulting on organizational and business strategy basis dat
• Coordinating with cross-functional teams

How to Become a Statistician?
A statistician has to have a passion for logic. They are also good with a variety of database systems such as SQL, data mining, and the various machine learning technologies.

The role of business analysts is slightly different than other data science jobs. While they do have a good understanding of how data-oriented technologies work and how to handle large volumes of data, they also separate the high-value data from the low-value data. In other words, they identify how the Big Data can be linked to actionable business insights for business growth.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Business Analyst include:

• Understanding the business of the organization
• Conducting detailed business analysis – outlining problems, opportunities, and solutions
• Working on improving existing business processes
• Analysing, designing, and implementing new technology and systems
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Pricing analysis

How to Become a Business Analyst?
Business analysts act as a link between the data engineers and the management executives. So, they should have an understanding of business finances and business intelligence, and also the IT technologies like data modelling, data visualization tools, etc.

A data and analytics manager oversees the data science operations and assigns the duties to their team according to skills and expertise. Their strengths should include technologies like SAS, R, SQL, etc. and of course management.

Few Important Roles and Responsibilities of a Data and Analytics Manager include:

• Developing data analysis strategies
• Researching and implementing analytics solutions
• Leading and managing a team of data analysts
• Overseeing all data analytics operations to ensure quality
• Building systems and processes to transform raw data into actionable business insights
• Staying upto date on industry news and trends

How to Become a Data and Analytics Manager?
First and foremost- you must have excellent social skills, leadership qualities, and an out-of-box thinking attitude. You should also be good at data science technologies like Python, SAS, R, Java, etc.

Upskill in the field of Data Science with Great Learning Academy‘s free courses today!

Further Reading

1. What is Data Science?
2. Data Science Tutorial
3. Top 8 Reasons Why Data Science Jobs Are in Demand
4. Introduction to Data Visualisation
5. How to become a Data Scientist in Singapore?

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