How to Start a Data Scientist Career in Malaysia?

What is Data Science?

Data science is a field of study that primarily focuses on the methods for gathering, comprehending, and analysing enormous amounts of data in order to draw conclusions and extract information and outcomes that might be helpful for decision-making and the general operation of the organisation.

The five primary steps which are involved in the cycle of the functioning of Data Science are:-

• Capturing Data:

  Includes collecting data through different methods and also storing data for analyzing it in the future.

• Maintaining Data:

  Includes cleaning and arranging of data in the forms that can be interpreted.

• Processing Data:

  Includes various data analysis methods like mining, modeling, and classifying data based on some similarities.

• Analyzing Data:

  Includes the analysis of data for the purpose of prediction and quality study of the huge data.

• Communicating Data:

  Includes visualization of data into simple terms and reporting of data to other fellow employees which can be used to attain the goal of making better quality future decisions.

Importance of Field of Data Science:

Considering the most recent technological advancements, data science has become an extremely significant discipline that is closely tied to all other branches of information technology. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the study of Data Science has application in virtually all fields of employment.

Data Science has consistently been named and ranked as the best job profile of the current decade. It has also been named as the best job in the United States of America for three years in a row, 2016, 2017, and 2018, according to the results of a top job search portal, Glassdoor. According to the results of a top job search website, Glassdoor, Data Science has consistently been named and ranked as the best job profile of the current decade. It has also been named as the best job in the United States of America for three years in a row, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Many surveys around the world predict that the demand for skilled professionals in Data Science will increase dramatically in the coming years.

About Data Scientists:

In very basic terms, Data Scientists deal with the areas of study and research of statistics, programming, analytics, and maths. Data Scientists are the skilled professionals who are trained in working with enormous volumes of data files and aim for the extraction of useful reports and meaning from the data which are useful for making decisions that are quality driven and better for the organization uprise and in increasing the generation of revenue and profits for the group.

As we are aware of the fact that the field of Data Science is a combination and requires study of many fields like maths, managing data, programming of algorithms, hence it demands a deep understanding of various dimensions along with deep insight and knowledge in some of the mentioned areas of concern.

What are the Ways of Learning Data Science?

There are primarily three ways described from which one can move on the path to learn Data Science and become a skilled Data Scientist who will be in demand of all organisations. This is a question posed by candidates aspiring to make a career in the field of data science. The described ways are: -

1. Open Online Sources-

These are the numerous online certificate training programmes that provide courses in data science and grant certificates upon completion. They give their courses with highly flexible timings, enabling a person to learn as per the time they desire to study anytime they wish to do so; the regular fees that apply for the course are the least in comparison to other techniques. The typical duration of the course is between 12 and 15 months. The absence of any mentorship throughout or after the course's duration might pose a serious issue in the eyes of aspirant candidates.

2. Through Courses Offered by University Certificate/ Degree-

These courses are certificate or degree programs that are offered by various Universities and colleges working in the area of study of Data Science. Usually, the cost charged for the program is approximately the maximum among all three mentioned availability of methods. The timings for the program of study are under a fixed schedule with no amount of flexibility to the student and the duration for which the course lasts is about 12 months. This method, however, provides the students with the advantages of mentors which can be professors of the subject and other qualified faculty members of the institution.

3. Data Science Boot Camps-

Numerous platforms, like Bitmaker General Assembly, Springboard, WeCloudData, etc., provide these courses. Although other platforms are offering this at a little lower price, the program's cost is about equivalent to the costs of university courses. Depending on the course and platform one chooses, the course often lasts 4 to 6 months. The time of the course can be flexible, allowing students to study when they see fit, or fixed schedule in nature, allowing for little opportunity for flexibility. Along with this, it also offers employment help and the benefits of mentorship from the instructors and other platform users.

The Skills Required to Excel as a Data Scientist:

The job of the Data Scientist requires a person to be able to perform tasks related to the different fields under Data Science.

They are expected to possess a high level of knowledge of technology, understanding of statistics, programming, maths, etc.

They should also possess some fundamental abilities, such as the capacity to develop the group's business, the capacity to collaborate and grow as a team, the capacity to solve a variety of issues, the capacity to lead the group to greater heights and higher levels of revenue, and the capacity to effectively convey the findings and insights gained to other members of the organisation.

What all should be Learned?

The various fields which should be studied under the banner of Data Science are:-

• Maths - Includes the various domains of study under the subject of mathematics like statistics, algebra, calculus, etc which aid in helping to understand the working of different types of programs and helps in problem-solving skills.

• Understanding and Knowledge of Various Tools used Which are used in Data Science - Tools like SQL, DBMS, Python are studied which allow the programming of algorithms for the study of huge amounts of data.

• Fundamental Study of Methods in Data Science - Includes the basic methods of knowledge of huge volumes of data and drawing useful insights from the collected data.

• Machine Learning Methods and Tools - This aims in the development of programs, algorithms that possess the capacity of learning and developing by themselves, and would not require continuous programming from the developer's end.

• Various Tools and Methods of Big Data Analytics - This aims to make the person understand how should one deal with the analysis of volumes of data provided and collected.