A career in this fast-growing sector offers you tremendous opportunities to prepare yourself for the looming digital revolution. Consequently, you should check out some of the best careers in data science you can go for today. Let’s dive into it.
1. Machine Learning Scientist
Machine learning scientists focus on studying and developing algorithms and software engineering revolving around implementing the algorithms. A machine learning scientist’s responsibilities typically include building data pipelines and performing A/B tasks.
To become a machine learning scientist, you must be familiar with artificial intelligence and AI tools, Unix, C++, C, Python, and other programming languages. This is because you’ll typically analyze and visualize data for better understanding, research machine learning algorithms, and design and develop machine learning systems. PayScale figures indicate that a machine learning scientist earns around $99,747 annually.
2. Data Scientist
Data scientists are experts who use data to understand and develop models for forecasting to help organizations make better decisions. The core skill sets of a data scientist include data visualization, processing large data sets, and programming.
In addition, you’ll employ data models to predict outcomes and improve the quality of data or products using machine learning techniques. According to Payscale, a data scientist typically takes home around $97,658 annually.
3. Business Analyst
A business analyst’s role involves researching, collating, and interpreting data to identify organizational problems. As a business analyst, you’re mostly concerned with introducing positive organizational change. You can achieve this by identifying issues and proffering necessary solutions and strategies for continuous improvement and growth.
You must be proficient in core areas such as Microsoft Excel, Jupyter notebooks, and Python. The job description also includes gathering, cleaning, interpreting, and presenting data to lead the business through known and unknown phases and pull data from SQL databases. According to Glassdoor, a business analyst typically earns between $74,158—$105,978.
4. Application Architect
Working as an application architect is one of the most senior roles in software development. A professional in this role plays a vital role in designing, analyzing, and implementing software applications and projects. A job in application architecture means you are responsible for creating and maintaining application design processes and highlighting best practices for app development.
Consequently, you must be proficient in computer programming languages, including Python and common tools Python developers use, query languages, database management, and hybrid cloud platforms. Glassdoor’s data shows that application architects in the United States earn an annual salary of $120,828.
5. Business Intelligence Developer
A job as an intelligence developer requires you to collate and interpret data using data visualization tools to create dashboards and reports. This role enables you to use intelligent software tools to interpret and provide data that improves an organization’s research and business strategies.
You must be well versed in JavaScript, coding, database design and management, and Oracle BI to succeed in this field. This is because troubleshooting and proffering solutions to business problems will be your primary functions for organizations. According to Payscale, the average salary earned by a business intelligence developer is $83,031.
6. Game AI Developer
Game AI developers are responsible for giving a game its brain, thoughts, and emotions. As a game AI developer, you’ll develop games and create algorithms to sync the reaction of the gameplay per the player. That is, you develop game characters to interact and react uniquely to each game player based on each player’s unique preference and decision.
As a professional in this field, you must possess a very high knowledge of programming languages to understand the game console dynamics. You also need to have strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills to enhance the behavior of the gameplay characters in a way that excites and challenges the players. You will earn an average salary of $97,842, according to Glassdoor.
7. Database Administrator
A database administrator manages, maintains, designs, and installs databases for organizations and companies. To be a professional in this field, you must have a good customer service orientation, experience in languages such as Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, Oracle, and good troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, you must be able to maintain database backup and infrastructure, ensure consistency, quality, and security of the database, and program the database for it to operate as smoothly and effectively as possible. This way, a system can be proactively tuned based on usage, rather than wait till there’s a problem. Payscale estimates the annual earnings of a database administrator to be around $73,732.
8. Data Architect
A data architect retrieves, re-evaluates, and analyzes a company’s data infrastructure and architecture. Data architects are resourceful, allowing them to work in almost any industry. The necessary skills include data modeling and visualization, analytical skills, and programming languages.
As a data architect, you will determine new database specifications and identify areas of improvement in existing ones to maintain quality and ensure data is kept and secure by periodically updating systems. You’re also responsible for analyzing and implementing database architectures and applications. In a recent estimate by Payscale, the average salary for data architects is $123,753.
9. Enterprise Architect
This field might be ideal for you if you want to apply the latest technological innovations to improve business processes. It also requires strong analytical skills to ensure that a company’s business strategy involves proper software or hardware systems that will support an organization’s operation.
Your must-have skills as an enterprise architect include project management, data architecture, sound design, and creativity. Besides that, you’ll have to evaluate and analyze the organization’s business development strategies, suggest ways to improve them, and work with other professionals to maintain the network infrastructure and IT networks of the company. Glassdoor says that enterprise architects typically earn around $130,483 annually.
10. Statistician
Statisticians apply statistics and numerical data to solve real problems through mathematical techniques and software. As a statistician, your role includes identifying an organization’s problems and employing polls, surveys, and questionnaires to gather, analyze and interpret data to develop workable solutions.
You must have strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and mathematical understanding. According to Payscale, a statistician can expect to earn an average pay of $79,147 annually.
Start Your Data Science Career Now
Fortunately, careers in data science are in high demand because information technology is growing at a very rapid rate. Thus, it would be an exciting and fulfilling experience to pick up one of the diverse fields. Finally, in making your decision, you should consider the level of job availability in each field, how well it pays, and if it fits your career goals.
