{"id":9922,"date":"2019-10-24T11:26:46","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T15:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.brainstation.io\/?p=9922"},"modified":"2021-01-28T16:08:22","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T21:08:22","slug":"how-to-become-a-data-scientist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/how-to-become-a-data-scientist","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Data Scientist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have heard terms like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/deep-learning-basics-what-are-neural-networks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neural Networks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/what-machine-learning-is-and-what-it-can-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Machine Learning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/skills-youll-need-to-lead-the-ai-revolution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, being tossed around more frequently, and it\u2019s starting to sound like something right up your alley. You\u2019ve done your research and already know what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/what-is-data-science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data science<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is, in fact, you might know that data science roles are in high demand and only growing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what exactly is the first step in snagging one of these jobs? How do you become a Data Scientist? Here are some steps you can take to pursue a successful career in data.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop the Right Background&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, ensure you have the right background to succeed. You should be comfortable with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/course\/online\/python-programming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Python<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and SQL. These languages are essential to working with and organizing raw data. It doesn\u2019t hurt to be familiar with Tableau as well, a tool you\u2019ll use often to create visualizations. Keep an eye out for opportunities to help you start thinking like a Data Scientist.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many Data Scientists started out in engineering, IT, or data analysis. However, some come from completely different industries such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/from-finance-to-data-a-career-transformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">finance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/from-baseball-scouting-to-data-science-a-career-transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">baseball scouting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Of course, experience with data within your career will definitely take you further faster but is not necessary to begin your career in data science.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take Data Science Courses&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Scientists traditionally have a graduate-level or higher degree in education. It\u2019s also a great alternative to earn a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/course\/online\/remote-data-science-bootcamp?utm_source=BSTNblog&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=Blog_HowtoBecomeaDataScientist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Science Diploma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at an accredited training school, like BrainStation. We\u2019ve written about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-a-data-science-diploma-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to prepare for a Data Science Diploma program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but here\u2019s some of what you can expect from a high-quality curriculum:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Collecting and Storing Data<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Scientists need to effectively use databases to collect and store data. Familiarity with excel and querying languages such as SQL is also crucial.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Analyzing Data<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn how to use Python and other relevant packages to analyze data sets with statistical methods and run tests.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Visualizing and Presenting Data<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When training as a Data Scientists, you should learn to use tools like Tableau and PowerBI to highlight findings with engaging visualizations. It\u2019s also crucial you learn to integrate these tools into your workflow so that you\u2019re able to prepare dashboards that non-analysts can decipher.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Modeling Data<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get acquainted with modeling techniques that can be used across a wide range of data types from financial to e-commerce. By the end of your training, you should be able to use Python and R to build models that analyze behavior and predict unknowns.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop a Data Science Portfolio<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alright, so you\u2019ve done your research and gotten the training. Now is the time to develop a portfolio that will land the dream job \u2013 this may actually be the key component of your job hunt. In fact, BrainStation\u2019s Data Science Diploma Program is designed to be a project-based experience, helping students build an impressive portfolio of completed, real-world projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When applying for a Data Science role, consider displaying your work with GitHub instead of a website. GitHub easily shows your process, work, and results. But don\u2019t stop there, your portfolio is your chance to show your communications skills and demonstrate that you can do more than just crunch the numbers. Accompany your data with a compelling narrative and demonstrate the problems you\u2019re working to solve so the employer understands your merit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve also listed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/how-to-build-a-data-science-portfolio-4-dos-and-donts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what you shouldn\u2019t do<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when prepping your data portfolio.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a Job in Data that Speaks to You<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/4-top-data-science-jobs-explained\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many roles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within the Data Science field. Some people go on to become Data Engineers, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/whats-the-difference-between-a-data-scientist-and-a-data-analyst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Analysts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or Machine Learning Engineers. Find out what a company prioritizes, what they\u2019re working on and make sure that it suits you and what you see yourself doing down the line. Cities like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/demand-for-talent-rising-amid-bostons-tech-industry-growth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/why-chicago-is-poised-to-become-a-global-tech-leader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/why-new-york-needs-more-data-professionals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are experiencing a dearth in technical talent, so keep your eye out for the next opportunity!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Demand for data skills is booming, but how do you become a Data Scientist? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[343,1066],"tags":[332,419,405,418],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Become a Data Scientist | BrainStation\u00ae Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Demand for data skills is booming, but how do you become a Data Scientist? 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