Data

Data professionals are highly valued by employers when they have a blend of in-demand technical skills, or hard skills, and other desirable personal traits, or soft skills. Make sure to specialize in one or more of the technical skills or languages listed below to prove your expertise in the field, while also taking any opportunity to grow and flex those soft skills that employers look for in well-rounded data candidates.

In-demand technical skills

• SQL
• Python
• Data visualization tools (Examples: Tableau and Power BI)
• Machine Learning
• Big data technology
• Cloud computing

In-demand soft skills

• Communication: Make complex topics understandable.
• Problem-solving: Navigate and utilize complex datasets.
• Attention to detail: Create systems and analyses that are accurate and reliable.
• Ethics: Ensure that work is aligned with ethical standards on data privacy, bias, and fairness.

Note that it is not necessary for you to acquire all of these skills. The skills that are best suited for you are the skills that align with the work that you want to accomplish.

There are a variety of mediums through which you can learn data skills. Consider which route best fits your needs and learning-style. Here are a few options to consider:

Self-education — If you are looking to learn asynchronously, informally, or casually, self-education is a great place to start. There are many approaches to this style of learning that support various career goals, budgets, learning styles, and time commitments. Here are some ways to self-educate:

• Informal opportunities: Gain a greater understanding of the industry by reading. Explore books, articles, and even research papers to expand your data knowledge and learn what’s happened or is happening in the field. Not a reader? There are plenty of videos, podcasts, and other forms of multimedia that can teach you a thing or two about careers or work related to data.
• Online Courses: If you prefer a more structured or socialized learning experience, online courses might be well-suited. edX.org offers several instructor-led and self-paced data courses that may be of interest.
• Professional certifications: When you want a less casual learning experience, but don’t have needs that warrant a boot camp or degree, professional certifications may be the best fit for you. Professional certifications are a great addition to your resume and prove your technical skills for roles in data. edX.org offers many certificate programs within the field of data that may interest you.

Boot camps — These innovative programs are designed by experienced curriculum teams to help you achieve your career goals in a fraction of the time it takes to complete a traditional degree. With many boot camps lasting just 3-12 months, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can gain the knowledge and expertise you need to launch your dream career. Explore popular Data boot camps on edX.org.

Degree programs — A degree is an excellent choice if you want to gain a comprehensive understanding of the rich history, intricate theories, mathematical concepts, and cutting-edge innovations that have contributed to shaping the data industry that we know today. A degree can be especially helpful if you are pursuing roles that are mid-level or senior level, such as Data Engineer or Data Architect. Popular degree programs among data professionals are computer science, statistics, and data science.

The technical hiring process is different from those of non-technical fields in two ways:

First, many employers require a portfolio of projects, such as course projects, personal projects, and professional projects. You’ll want to build a competitive online portfolio that highlights your skills and unique value. 

Second, many technical hiring processes involve a technical screening. This is a stage in the interview process where the employer assesses a candidate’s technical skills. They might sound intimidating at first, but remember that the employer wants you to succeed. They are hoping to find a great candidate and that candidate could be you.

Once you get your foot in the door of the industry, make sure to celebrate your success. The career journey is full of ups-and-downs and we believe that every victory deserves acknowledgement. 

With that said, your journey doesn’t end here — it’s only just beginning. Give yourself grace and understand that careers are not linear. Here are some of the ways that you could continue growing within the data industry: 

Continued learning — Always make sure to reference our course catalog on edX.org for continued learning opportunities. Now that you’ve secured a career in data, it never hurts to brush up on your skills, expand your knowledge within the industry, or learn about other subject matters that apply to your work, interests, or something in between. 

Promotions — There are many opportunities to advance in the data industry. In general, earning a promotion involves building your expertise in data technologies, team management, project management, and decision-making.

Pivots — Make sure to regularly check in with yourself and your satisfaction with daily tasks. If you find yourself disinterested in your current role, take stock of the things you like and dislike about it, keep your eyes out for company-sponsored growth opportunities, and pursue career pivots that optimize your background, skill set, and interests.