what is a data scientist?
Data scientists play an integral role in how modern businesses deal with customers, vendors, and even internal processes. With the wealth of data available to a typical business, the number of insights available is practically limitless. Still, those insights are not easily detected, which is where your job as a data scientist comes in.
You are responsible for collecting huge amounts of data and transforming it into something practical. You help solve business-related problems using your expertise to develop data-driven techniques. You aim to stay on top of the latest techniques and tools in this fast-developing area of business and technology.
You will use many of the expected technical skills and some unexpected ones. For example, deep learning and machine learning are vital to making practical use of large amounts of data. You are also responsible for data preparation, which is converting raw data into a format that is more accessible to people who are not data scientists.
Do you think working as a data scientist would suit your mentality and skillset? If so, keep reading to find out how to get into this line of work.
view jobsaverage salary of a data scientist
According to Payscale, the average salary of a data scientist in India is between ₹346,000 and ₹2,000,000 per year, with an average of ₹874,000. More experienced data scientists will typically command salaries at the higher end of that range, but your industry and the employer will impact the potential money you can make. Data scientists earn high salaries because employers recognise the importance and monetary value of what they do.
factors that affect data scientist's pay
The primary factor affecting your salary as a data scientist will be your qualifications and experience level. Data science is still relatively new, particularly in India, so employers place a great deal of faith in the qualifications and experience of data scientists. You are unlikely to be hired in this role without a bachelor's degree in data science.
Another important factor is the location of your employer. The types of companies that need these roles tend to be in or around big cities, making them more lucrative locations for data scientists than smaller towns.
types of data scientist
There are several types of data scientists, each with a unique set of skills and responsibilities. The field is increasingly breaking down into smaller subcategories, but some of the main data scientist roles include:
- machine learning scientists: in this speciality, you work with artificial intelligence to create algorithms that analyse immense quantities of data with machine-like speed to produce human-like insights.
- digital analytics consultants: this area of data science requires some marketing and business skills. You are responsible for collecting data from company webpages and filtering and processing that data as needed.
- data engineers: in this role, you are responsible for creating the digital infrastructure used to analyse and process data in a manner that fits the organisation's requirements.
- software programming analysts: programmers who can use various programming languages (such as Python) typically perform these roles. Your job is to automate various tasks and streamline the process.
- business analytics practitioners: as a business analytics practitioner, you focus on the aspects of data science concerned with things like ROI (return on investment) that directly impact the organisation's success.
- statistician: statisticians are found in many fields, but the role of a statistician within data science is important. In this role, you provide an organisation with reliable indicators of progress.
working as a data scientist
Your liking for statistics and complex problem-solving are amply satisfied in your work as a data scientist. You not only address technical challenges but also meet important business requirements. Your work is varied and sometimes intense, analysing large data sets and providing readable information and insights for other team members or departments.
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duties and responsibilities
Your duties and responsibilities as a data scientist vary depending on your area of data science and the type of organisation you work for. Still, some responsibilities are almost universal across data science. These include:
- identifying relevant data sources: modern organisations benefit from a range of data sources, but new sources will always be useful. As a data scientist, you identify new sources and look at ways to use their data.
- building predictive models: one of the most valuable uses of big data is the ability to create highly accurate predictive models. As a data scientist, you predict outcomes like seasonal sales forecasts, which help the organisation plan how much stock it needs.
- analysing data for trends and patterns: using tools and sometimes making them, you provide answers to specific questions by looking at data trends.
- preparing reports: one of your important tasks as a data scientist is translating the insights you gain from your collected data into reports and presentations. You use language that is accessible to non-specialist executives and teams.
- processing data and maintaining databases: data will not always arrive in a ready-to-use form, and it will be your job to implement ways of automatically processing data into a usable form. You also maintain the databases that store the data.
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work environment
As a data scientist, you may work in the public or private sector, as both need the insights big data can bring. Your role involves working indoors in an office environment. You will likely be working with other professionals in a shared office space.
Depending on the role, you may be expected to travel - particularly if the organisation you work for has multiple locations. Of course, this is something that you can establish before taking a position.
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who are your colleagues?
If your company is large, you may find that your immediate colleagues are other data scientists of different specialities. You may also work alongside analysts, business analysts, data analysts, marketing executives and marketing managers and will need to interact regularly with executives to disseminate the information you have produced.
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work schedule
Data scientist typically work around 40 hours per week minimum, though it is not uncommon for people in this profession to work overtime. An important part of your role is staying up to date with the latest developments in the world of data science, so you may conduct work-related research on your own time.
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job outlook
Qualifications and experience are probably the biggest factors affecting a data scientist's pay. You may choose to further your education, but your experience will grow the longer you work in the role, and the pay range for this role leaves plenty of room for growth. The job outlook for data scientists is generally very positive, as this is still a relatively new profession in India. Furthermore, data scientists can specialise in particular industries, such as finance or medicine, allowing them to bring a complete package to their employer.
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advantages of finding a data scientist job through randstad
Finding your data scientist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a data scientist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Given the relatively new nature of this role in India, getting into a position requires academic qualifications such as:
- bachelor's degree or certifications: ideally, you have a bachelor's degree in data science, though that may not be essential if you plan to expand your education by, for instance, getting a master's. An undergraduate degree should be considered a minimum requirement for getting hired as a data scientist.
- master's degree or equivalent: around a third of all data scientists in India have a master's degree. If you plan to go down this route, you can start to expand your skill sets, such as getting a degree in computer studies or economics.
- doctorate: getting a PhD is not essential for a role as a data scientist, but it will help you move higher up the pay range more quickly.
skills and competencies
Beyond qualifications, there are also various skills and competencies that a data scientist would benefit from. These include:
- problem-solving skills: big data analysis can often feel like a series of problems that need solving. An aptitude for solving problems will make this aspect of the role easier.
- technical abilities: a range of technical skills help you succeed as a data scientist, regardless of your speciality. For example, a level of coding ability will always be necessary, even if you are not working as a software programming analyst.
- industry-related knowledge: while data science is quite a transferable skill, it will be necessary to know your industry well enough to know which trends are useful.
FAQs about working as a data scientist
FAQs about working as an data scientist:
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is it hard to become a data scientist?
Data science is quite a new field, making it more difficult to get into. This will likely change with time, but for now you need at least a relevant bachelor's degree or higher to be considered for a job.
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do I need a degree to become a data scientist?
Technically, no - this comes down to the employer and their requirements; according to some statistics, 10% of data scientists in India do not hold a degree. However, you are currently unlikely to get hired for this role without one.
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how much does a data scientist get in India?
Data scientists' average salary in India is around ₹870,000 per year, with the lower end of the range being as little as ₹346,000, and the upper end as high as ₹2,000,000 per year.
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is data scientist a stressful job?
Many professionals within the industry categorise data science as a stressful role because of its critical importance to companies and the pressure of workloads and demands.
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how do I apply for a data scientist vacancy?
Applying for a data scientist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
