How do I become a data scientist?

Transferring to a new job role can be overwhelming. Where do you start learning? To help you out, Global Knowledge has started publishing a monthly how to become article. In this article, you will find a learning track for a job role you might be interested in. This month, learn how you can become a data scientist.

The Harvard Business Review once named data scientist the most sexy profession of the 21st century. Data science is hot: according to Springest you can earn over €60.000 a year as a data scientist. Who wouldn't like that? But before you find out how to become an excellent data scientist, I will explain what a data scientist is and does.

It's in the name already: a data scientist is a scientist that works with data. A data scientist collects, analyzes and processes large amounts of raw data. Once this is done, the data scientist makes this data accessible to his organization, by using data models for example. These models can also be used to make predictions with.

Data science is a combination between mathematics, statistics, programming (programming language Python is loved amongst data scientists), Machine Learning and deep learning. As a data scientist, you will be able to create algorithms for example.

How do you become a data scientist?

Your GK Polaris Discovery subscription grants you access to most of the training courses I listed in this article. In this article, you will learn what courses you need to attend become a data scientist.

You will find training courses by different vendors (Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft), but you will also read about the different skills you need to become a succesfull data scientist. Amongst these skills are: programming in Python, machine learning skills, deep learning skills, but also soft skills like persuasion and influence and communicating with clarity. You also have access to soft skills training courses with your GK Polaris subscription.

_{With GK Polaris Discovery you get unlimited access to Virtual Classroom courses for one year, for a price that's similar to the price of one training course (€2995). Learn more about GK Polaris on this page.}

Step 1: Start with the basics

Before you start learning about Data Science, it's a good idea to educate yourself with courses on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Try out the on-demand courses of our partner platform Percipio. You have access to Percipio with your GK Polaris subscription. The courses listed below are all about Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence:

• Introduction to Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Beginner

Once you are finished with these on-demand courses, it's time to attend training in the Virtual Classroom. Soon, you will be able to attend Artificial Intelligence training in the Virtual Classroom training: the Artificial Intelligence Foundation training will be added to the GK Polaris Discovery subscription.

Before you can start working with these data science solutions, it is important you know how to write code. If you are already able to program using Python, you can skip this step. If not, attend these Python training courses:

• Introduction to Python
• Advanced Python

Step 2: expand your expertise

With your GK Polaris Discovery subscription, you get access to training courses on data science solutions on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Choose one - or attend both training courses to develop yourself even further. Learn more on the importance of a broad skillset in this article.

Pick a course:

Amazon Web Services

• Practical Data Science with Amazon Sagemaker (learn more about Amazon Sagemaker in this article)

Microsoft

• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals

Once you have attended these Fundamentals training courses, you can extend our knowledge. Attend the Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure training course or the Big Data on AWS or Deep Learning on AWS training course in the Virtual Classroom.

Step 3: Work on your soft skills

A large chunk of your work as a data scientist is about communicating with other teams and co-workers. This makes it very important that you possess strong communication skills. You have to be able to convice your co-workers of the importance of a certain data model, or a prediction. It is also important that others are able to understand your data science solutions and outcomes.

In your GK Polaris Discovery subscription, you also have access to Soft Skills training courses. These training courses have been developed to boost your professional and personal skills with. For data scientists, I recommend Communicating with clarity and Influence and persuasion.

What's next?

You might be finished with this learning track, but you are never truly done learning. Check out one of the previous editions of this series - how do I become a cloud specialist?

_{The following sources have been used in the process of writing this article: Springest, Harvard Business Review, TechRepublic}