Learning Data Science Skills Is Easier Than You Think

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It is no longer news that data science is one of the most in-demand skills of the decade. According to The Hybrid Job Economy report from Burning Glass, the demand for data scientists alone has jumped over 15% between 2010 and 2018. However, while demand is high, there is confusion and uncertainty around what data science actually means, who needs these skills and how to get them. 

What is clear? Data skills are valuable across all industries and job functions as decision making is becoming more and more data-driven, and gaining these skills isn’t as challenging as originally thought. The Burning Glass report states that “the demand for metrics — and the growing ease of measuring and visualizing them — is reshaping business practices across industries,” citing marketing and business analysis as examples. It also highlights the demand for data science and analytics skills in decision-making roles, including managers across a range of industries. So, where to start?

IBM Data Scientist Joseph Santarcangelo, Ph.D., shared his expertise on getting started in data science, which starts with learning Python: “Today with data science, for a lot of it you don’t have to have a Ph.D. anymore. You don’t have to spend years and years studying something. The runway is a lot shorter this year for data science...now all you really have to know is Python and have a basic understanding of what’s going on and it’s pretty remarkable where you can go.”

According to Stack Overflow data, Python is the fastest growing major programming language worldwide. Learning Python for data analysis gives you access to a wide, general-purpose language that can be used in a variety of industry, research, and engineering contexts. Even a basic knowledge of this language can enable workers to cull insights from data within their existing profession or field, driving business decisions forward. 

“People are astonished how easy Python is. When you look at programming, it seems like a pretty abstract concept. It's pretty difficult. If you make a little mistake and everything is wrong. So people usually get pretty scared. And then people are like oh wow that’s it? And they get very excited...That’s the biggest ‘aha’ moment I see. The hardest part of anything starting it and Python is the first big step to data science.” 

According to data from Burning Glass, in 2018 alone, more than 1.7 million job postings asked for data science skills. With this incredible job market opportunity, all workers have the ability to add data skills to their resume, increasing their value and marketability to current and future employers.