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Recently, we explained what you can do with a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, what jobs you can get with the degree, and why it’s worth getting your degree in this field.
Today, we’ll discuss how to start a career as a database scientist, which is one of the best jobs in the data analytics industry.
This guide will cover why you should consider a career in database science, what you’d be expected to do on the job, why you’ll need to complete a related degree before attempting to land this job, and what you can do to improve your chances of success in the industry.
After you’ve read about becoming a database scientist, please fill out our information request form to learn more about our online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems & Business Analytics or our online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics.
If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.
A database scientist is someone who finds valuable insights in large datasets.
Data scientists help organizations make complex, difficult decisions by allowing them to analyze patterns and trends in big data, then react according to what the data suggests they should be doing.
In this way, data scientists can infuse data-driven decision-making into business strategies, ensuring that the organizations they advise are making the best possible decisions to reduce costs and maximize profits.
Common applications of data science include researching issues like consumer demand, purchasing activities, or other important trends that can have a significant impact on the business.
As a result, you’ll find database scientists employed virtually everywhere, in nearly every modern industry and organization, from Google to the United States Federal Reserve.
Database scientists need to be highly skilled with technology, statistics, and mathematics so that they can help organizations devise creative solutions for managing, manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets, then using those datasets to guide business strategy.
Absolutely! Indeed reports that database scientists are ranked among the top twenty jobs with the highest pay and fastest growth, and Glassdoor reports that “Data Scientist” is the 2nd best job title out of all possible jobs in America for 2021.
According to TowardsDataScience.com, data scientists are in high demand because organizations have learned that data-driven decision-making is a critical asset for succeeding in the modern economy.
This is an excellent career to consider specializing in, and one that you should seriously think about studying because of all the significant benefits that would come from getting into the field, including:
If you want to do important, interesting work analyzing complex data sets to help devise creative solutions for complex problems, this could be the perfect job for you.
It’s also a great role for anyone who is adaptable and curious, because as a database scientist, you’ll get to work on a wide range of challenges, analyzing various types of data sets to answer a wide range of strategically important questions.
Finally, because database scientists are needed in almost every industry, you will have opportunities to transfer between organizations and do similar work in different sectors, which is a great opportunity to travel, work for different types of organizations, and get involved in different sectors.
Just like any other complex field, many industry roles won’t use the job title “Database Scientist”, but may instead have more specific titles like:
As the list above makes clear, database scientists may wear a lot of hats, but their primary role tends to be spearheading the process of using advanced data analysis procedures to improve business strategies.
To accomplish this goal, they use computer programs to store, manipulate, and analyze data. This can include traditional database systems, big data repositories, or cloud-based applications.
Because the job they perform is so important to organizational success, you can find database scientists working in virtually every industry, including media, healthcare, retail, finance, technology, or any other sector.
As a professional database scientist, you may be asked to handle tasks like:
Database scientists may also be asked to assess the effectiveness of existing systems, conduct research on new methods or technologies that may aid the organization in achieving its objectives, and collaborate with information technology teams to ensure optimal database performance.
This job requires advanced computing skills since these professionals must be capable of creating complex databases capable of storing huge sets of data, while remaining cost-effective, secure, and easily accessible.
If you’re serious about breaking into the industry, you’ll need to develop a series of specific skills and abilities required to succeed in this challenging, but exciting role.
Specific skills and abilities are required to become a successful database scientist.
For example, to deal with the large amounts of data that are common in modern businesses, you’ll need exceptionally strong computational thinking abilities.
You should also have strong problem-solving skills and excellent programming skills so that you’re capable of solving problems quickly, and accurately.
To become a successful database scientist, you will want to focus on developing the following skills and abilities:
You should also work on developing strong leadership skills so that you can lead teams and individuals responsible for the different parts of the data collection, storage, and interpretation process.
And finally, keep in mind that you may also have the option to specialize in a particular industry, such as healthcare, finance, or e-commerce, and that the skills and training required in each of these different fields may vary.
It may be possible to become a successful database scientist without getting a degree in the field, but employers are likely to prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree.
An advanced degree may not be required to become a database scientist if you have a strong background in programming or data modeling, experience working in IT or with databases, and a demonstrated interest in technology, but keep in mind that completing a relevant degree is likely to help you stand out in this competitive field.
In this specific role, it’s also important to develop both hard skills (knowledge and experience relevant to your specific tasks as a database scientist) as well as soft skills (communications, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc.).
Hard skills are critical to achieving success as a database scientist, but those soft skills can provide a great deal of value when it comes time to work with other teams and coworkers to ensure that the databases are being designed, accessed, and optimized in a way that suits your organization’s needs.
The best way to develop your expertise in all of these areas is to complete a degree in data analytics, as this will ensure you’ve got the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities required to become a professional database scientist.
Completing our online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics will provide you with the opportunity to develop critical, workplace-relevant skills, like:
To give you an idea of the topics you’ll study with us, this program’s core courses include:
Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of courses, but that these are indicative of the types of topics you’ll be studying in our program, which was designed to prepare you for modern jobs in database science.
Completing our online M.S. in Data Analytics program will ensure that you’ve gained the foundational knowledge and critical skills needed to succeed in this competitive, challenging industry.
Whether you’re just beginning to consider a career in database science or you’ve already begun your journey, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of success.
First off, make sure to learn SQL! There are lots of reasons why learning SQL will benefit your career as a database scientist, including:
You might also want to consider completing relevant industry certification programs, which could be an excellent asset for your resume.
According to CIO.com, the best industry certifications for anyone looking to build a career as a database scientist include:
Finally, remember that while hard skills like SQL and data modeling are required to get a job in this field, soft skills could also play an important role in helping you excel in your new career path.
CSU Global’s Master’s in Data Analytics program focuses on developing your hard skills, ensuring you’re fully qualified to take on the responsibilities of a professional database scientist, but we also provide instruction on soft skills as well.
Yes, there are numerous advantages to obtaining your degree online.
First, studying online means that you can study and complete coursework wherever and whenever it is convenient for you.
If you’ve already got a busy schedule full of family and work-related responsibilities, then studying online may make it much easier to find the time required to complete your degree.
If you choose to study online with us at CSU Global, you’ll be able to take advantage of several excellent benefits provided by our unique, fully online programs, including:
These benefits will be especially helpful for anyone looking for an efficient degree program since being able to avoid commuting to and from campus could save you a tremendous amount of time.
If you have any concerns about juggling your current responsibilities with the time needed to complete a degree, then you should consider studying online with us.
Our 100% online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics was designed to provide you with everything you need to launch a successful, lifelong career as a database scientist.
This program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which ensures that your degree will help you earn the respect of hiring managers looking to employ skilled experts in the field.
Our program is sure to help set your resume apart from other applicants, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:
CSU Global itself is also widely regarded as an industry leader in higher education, as we recently earned several important rankings, including:
Finally, we offer our students affordable tuition rates and a tuition guarantee which ensures that your rate won’t increase for as long as you remain enrolled as a student with us.
To learn more about our fully accredited online Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, please call (800) 462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.
Are you ready to get started? Apply today!
