For those who know about the prospects of this direction in the online school SkillFactory opened a new enrollment in the full course on Data Science. When you take the course, you will learn how to work with Big Data – huge amounts of data that cannot be processed in Excel. In your new life, you’ll be paid to help businesses find hidden patterns, predict developments, and optimize key processes. The program takes place online, so you can join from anywhere in the world where there is internet.
Data Scientist or analytical data expert – in the opinion of the editors of the authoritative publication Harvard Business Review this very profession can be confidently called “the sexiest in the XXI century”.
Lack of these specialists
Astronomical salaries, fantastic social package, but such specialists are so few that employers are literally hunting for each (on Jobs.ua – more information about vacancies in the field of analytics). And it does have its reasons, very and very good, it must be said.
There is extremely valuable information, which is continually collected and accumulated by commercial companies and government agencies:
- any purchase on the Internet or “off-line”,
- any calculations,
- even the actions and movements of potential buyers.
Data science company is the real oil of the 21st century. However, before data can bring profits and other benefits, it must be carefully analyzed and evaluated. That’s what Data Scientist does.
By Russell Reynolds Associates
In a recent survey, a leading data science consultancy, 58% of executives said their companies lacked professional data experts on a regular basis. Moreover, this problem is universal for different countries and different sectors of the economy from banks and insurance companies to:
– industrial enterprises,
– medical institutions,
– educational institutions.
And in the near future, the agency believes, its relevance will only increase, including because every two years the global volume of data is doubling.
Here it is also worth noting that the term “data scientist” itself is also more than 10 years old. It was first used by employees of the popular social networks Facebook and LinkedIn, who were responsible for analyzing large volumes of data. It was thought that the word “economist” was not quite appropriate, and “research scientist” sounded too academic. Thus, over time, a previously unknown profession of analytical data expert emerged.
The first courses to train professional analytical data experts opened at Harvard University in 2013, and a little later at IIT and New York University. Similar educational programs now operate also in the largest economic universities of European countries.
Harvard Business Review
A Data Scientist applicant should have an analytical mindset, a sense of numbers, and good communication skills. This is not a “nerd” who digs into data all the time. The optimal result of a data scientist becomes only when it is correctly interpreted, understandable and usable for further application. It is necessary:
- Not only to understand what the numbers say;
- But also to create new solutions;
- No competent Data Scientist is afraid of competition from computer systems, and probably in the coming years it should not even be expected.
What Does a Data Scientist Do, Day by Day?
- Collect data: Get data from websites, apps, sensors, and company records.
- Clean data: Fix errors, fill gaps, and sort the data so it can be used.
- Explore patterns: Look for trends and links in the data with charts and stats.
- Build models: Use machine learning to predict what will happen next, such as which customers may leave.
- Share results: Explain the findings to managers in plain words and clear charts.
The Skills a Data Scientist Needs
| Skill | What It Is For |
|---|---|
| Python and R | Programming languages used to work with data |
| SQL | A language used to get data from databases |
| Statistics | How to read data, test ideas, and avoid false results |
| Machine learning | How to build models that learn from data |
| Data visualisation | How to show data in charts that people can understand |
| Communication | How to explain results to people who are not data experts |
How to Become a Data Scientist
- Learn Python and SQL. Free courses and books can get you started.
- Learn statistics. Focus on probability, averages, and tests.
- Do projects. Use public data sets to answer real questions. Kaggle is a good place to practise.
- Build a portfolio. Put your projects on GitHub so employers can see your work.
- Learn machine learning. Study the basic models, such as regression and decision trees.
- Apply for junior roles. Internships and junior analyst jobs are good first steps.
Data Scientist Pay and Job Growth
The Harvard Business Review called data scientist the sexiest job of the 21st century in 2012. The job has grown since then. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs for data scientists will grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033. That is much faster than the average for all jobs. The Bureau says the median annual pay for data scientists was 112,590 dollars in May 2023. Pay is higher in tech hubs and for senior roles. The Bureau updates these figures each year. Check the latest Occupational Outlook Handbook for current numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a data scientist do?
A data scientist collects data, cleans it, finds patterns, builds models, and explains the results to help a firm make better choices.
Do I need a degree to become a data scientist?
A degree in maths, computer science, or statistics helps. But many data scientists start with online courses and a strong portfolio of projects.
How much do data scientists earn?
In the United States, the median annual pay was 112,590 dollars in May 2023, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay is higher in tech hubs and for senior roles.
Is data science a good career in 2026?
Yes. Jobs for data scientists are projected to grow 36 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all jobs.
Disclaimer: This guide shares general information about data science careers. This guide does not promise a job to any reader. Pay and job growth figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and change each year.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026