How Long Does It Take to Become a Data Scientist?

You can learn the skills needed to become a Data Scientist in as little as 12 weeks, which is why it has become increasingly common for neophyte Data Scientists to attend data science bootcamps, which allow for more hands-on learning and targeted skills development.

The general consensus, however, is that given the complexity and seniority of the role, it may take years of experience before you can become a good Data Scientist.

Are Data Science Courses Worth It?

Ultimately, how long it takes to become a Data Scientist will depend on how close you are to the finish line when you begin. Are you a blank-slate beginner? If so, you’ll have to develop quite a battery of fundamental skills before you can start building up your data science chops.

On the other hand, if you already have ample experience working in programming or computer science, you have quite a head start, and may only need to develop a few specific skills before you can start practicing data science.

If you fall into the latter camp, you have quite a bit of flexibility in how you pursue the transition. You may, for example, want to start with data science courses, which will allow you to quickly boost your knowledge of data science fundamentals. Or, you may want to throw yourself into a more intense, accelerated schedule—as with a data science bootcamp—to develop new data skills and complete real-world data science projects.