Data Scientist

A data scientist is essential to running a business or managing sports teams. Though their best work may go largely unnoticed, very few institutions can survive without them.

Data scientists have become more prominent in the corporate world. Whether its translating SEO reports, carrying out complex financial algorithms or even helping football teams identify why they’re getting so many more injuries than their opponents.

More industries are showing their need for algorithms, data and analysis. This is a career that is only just getting started.

A data scientist is someone who works with raw data and translates it into digestible, easy-to-understand metrics for others. Data scientists can work for businesses, charities or sports clubs.

Data scientists are often referred to as “data translators”. This is because a data scientist will often work with raw, often unfiltered data and need to “translate” the data into something more readable for the end user.

A data scientist or engineer will work with various sources and techniques. Some data scientists use algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical modelling or data mining to unearth the relevant data for a project.

A data scientist has a wide remit in terms of responsibility. Not all data engineer jobs will have the same responsibilities. These can vary depending on what industry you work in and what company or organisation you work for.

• Assess each department’s need for data and how, if at all, it can be tailored for them.
• Build algorithms to supply tailored reports for each department.
• Conduct research and develop data gathering and translation techniques.
• Create reports that are easy to understand for the general reader.
• Liaise with members of other departments to gauge their data needs.
• Liaise with other data specialists.
• Research different statistical techniques.
• Test data effectiveness.
• Use machine learning and rolls.
• Working out what your company or organisation’s data needs are.

These responsibilities will change as you move through the role. If you move into management or more senior roles, you will be expected to manage a team of data scientists and negotiate budgets.

A data scientist salary will depend on the company you work for, its location and the industry you are working in. Your experience will also factor into your earning potential, as will your level of education. Salaries will start out low for a data scientist graduate, but will grow with experience.

To begin with, generally, a junior data scientist, junior data engineer or starting data engineer salary will start between £25,000 and £35,000. This can rise as you gain more experience in the role, however.

Once you have enough experience and a senior enough job title, you can expect to earn between £40,000 and £60,000. Those who are chief data scientists or data leads can earn as much as £130,000.

You will need an undergraduate degree for this role and a postgraduate one, depending on the industry you’re working in. You may also want to specialise in niche or specific areas by combining a different subject, such as a business studies degree with more data‑led qualifications at postgraduate level.

The best subjects to study at university for a data scientist are:

• Computer science degrees
• Data analytics degrees
• Data science degrees
• Engineering degrees
• Finance degrees
• Mathematics degrees
• Operational research degrees
• Physics degrees
• Statistics degrees
• Sports science degrees

It is best to know which industry you want to work in before selecting your degree. Those working in business or corporate settings may need to have experience in programming and computer analysis, whilst those in sport will need to have a more mathematical approach.

If you decide to study at a postgraduate level, you can focus on more specific courses related to data. These courses will take a more focused view of data analysis and will teach you niche skills and abilities beyond simple analysis.

The best subjects to study at a postgraduate level are:

• Big data degrees
• Business analytics degrees
• Data analytics degrees
• Data science degrees

Some of these subjects…