For some people, looking at a wide swath of numbers is confusing. But for others, all those numbers tell a story. If you’re the second kind of person, a career in data science might be for you. But how do you become a data scientist?
Data scientists do exactly what their title suggests: They study data. They organize it, analyze it and communicate the results to help businesses make better decisions. Naturally, this kind of job — with its focus on math, computer programming and critical thinking — requires proper training and education. Here’s what to know about the pathway to becoming a data scientist and what you can expect from the role.
What Do Data Scientists Do?
A data scientist compiles data and makes important inferences to help guide organizations. However, the job is more complicated than just looking at an Excel sheet and drawing conclusions, as data scientists typically deal with vast amounts of complex data. Data scientists use computer programming techniques to aid them in data visualization and analysis, usually deploying programming languages like Python, R and SQL.
Data scientists usually work in a five-stage cycle, according to the Institute of Data. First, they must define the problem, meaning they determine why they need to collect and analyze data in the first place. Then, they collect the data. This can be done through surveys, web scraping services, internal databases and more. Next, they analyze the data using many different methods, including statistical modeling and machine learning algorithms. Fourth, data scientists develop and evaluate predictive models. Last comes the deployment and maintenance phase, which means putting those models to work and ensuring they keep running successfully.
Does it sound like a lot? Simply put, data scientists use computer science methods to better understand data and make improvements based on their findings.
Do You Need a Degree to Become a Data Scientist?
It’s not strictly necessary to have a bachelor’s degree to become a data scientist but most roles will still require you to have one. While earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering will prepare you to work as a data scientist, it’s also possible to make the switch to the data science field with other degrees, as well. Some people choose to supplement their undergraduate education with coding classes, for example. Ultimately, most companies will care more about your knowledge and skills, rather than your degree.
Similarly, you don’t need a master’s degree to become a data scientist, but it is certainly beneficial, whether you already have a background in computer science or are making a major career switch. There are a diverse array of master’s degrees that can position you to excel in a data science career, including online graduate programs offered by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
For example, the Master of Science in Computer Science (Data Science) online program gives students a foundation in computer science and specialized algorithmic, statistical and systems expertise in acquiring, storing, accessing, analyzing and visualizing data. The Master of Science in Applied Data Science online program trains students from a range of backgrounds to be skilled data scientists. For those who want to take a more specialized approach to learning data science, the Master of Science in Healthcare Data Science online program is a cross-disciplinary joint degree program offered by the Keck School of Medicine of USC and USC Viterbi.
USC Viterbi also offers a variety of online graduate degrees in computer science and computer engineering. These master’s programs teach students to think critically and be prepared to act as leaders — qualities that will set them apart from other data scientist candidates.
What Key Skills Do Data Scientists Need?
Regardless of whether you obtain a graduate degree or not, data scientists are expected to have several key skills, chief among them programming. Most roles will expect data scientists to know one or more programming languages, including Python, R, Java and SQL. Candidates will also be expected to have a strong understanding of math and statistics, familiarity with machine learning and AI and knowledge of other data tools.
But it’s not just about hard skills: Data scientists should also be curious and engaged with a passion for learning. A successful data scientist is adept at problem-solving and thinking critically, enabling them to tackle issues that arise as they sort through data. They must also be strong communicators who can effectively convey their findings to others.
What Is a Data Scientist’s Salary?
Salaries vary for data scientists. Where you work, your industry, years of experience and whether or not you’ve earned a graduate degree will all impact how much money you make as a data scientist.
However, findings from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate data scientists can expect to make a good salary. The median annual salary for data scientists in 2023 was $108,020 per year, according to the bureau. This amount can significantly increase once you’ve moved up the career ladder and if you invest in a master’s degree.
Are Data Scientists in Demand?
Since data scientists are employed in nearly every sector — including health care, government, tech, entertainment and business — there are plenty of jobs available for those who aspire to be data scientists. The field is only expected to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is expected to grow 36 percent in the next decade, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a data scientist is not necessarily an easy path, as it requires learning both hard skills like programming and mathematics and soft skills like communication and leadership. Many people who choose to pursue data science benefit from further education, including a master’s degree.
But the work involved in becoming a data scientist can result in a rewarding career. Data scientists can expect job stability and competitive salaries. Those passionate about their work can also expect an interesting, fulfilling and ever-changing career.