Examine: in-depth the data industry

Data is becoming more and more vital to our daily lives. Information created by millions of individuals globally influences everything, including our enjoyment and wellness. The data industry is expanding as we continue to generate data on a wider scale and in greater numbers. We examine every detail you require to understand the present situation.

As we investigate this intriguing topic, we examine a few data-related industries, professions, and difficulties. We will also go over some of the necessary abilities for entering the field and how to begin working in the data field.

Explore the Contents

1 The global data industry
- 1.1 What is it?
- 1.2 How big is the industry?
2 How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the data industry?
3 What kinds of jobs are there in the industry?
4 How do data job salaries compare?
- 4.1 Hard skills
- 4.2 Soft skills
5 Why choose a career in data?
6 Final thoughts

The global data industry

Let’s start by defining the phrase “data industry” and examining the state of affairs at the moment. This will provide us some background on some of the current worldwide patterns and potential future developments:

What is it?

The data industry is broad and encompasses a wide range of industries. Because of this, it might be challenging to precisely describe it as a single industry. The possibilities and uses for data are numerous and diverse, ranging from relatively simple jobs like data input to intricate data science.

Having said that, some fields stand out more than others. Although there is usually a great level of specialization and variation in each of these areas, they will frequently overlap. Among the instances are:

large-scale data
Analytics of data
Data analysis
Data safety
Creation and administration of databases

Further down, we’ll look at a few of these topics and some pertinent data jobs. As we’ll see, these specializations encompass a wide range of roles.

How big is the industry?

It’s not surprising that the data industry is expanding quickly given its size. The global market for business analytics and big data was estimated to be worth $168.8 billion in 2018. It is anticipated that this amount will rise by 13.2% by 2022 to around $274.3 billion.

In the field of data science, a comparable pattern is observed. By 2027, the global market for data science platforms is expected to be valued at approximately $25.94 billion. This indicates a 26.9% rise from 2020 to 2027.

The need for data jobs is another indicator of the industry’s rising worth. According to a survey by the Royal Society in the UK, over a five-year period, there was a 231% increase in the need for people with specialised and big data capabilities. In a similar vein, the US saw a 344% growth in demand for data scientists between 2013 and 2019.

But even with this phenomenal expansion, there’s a problem. Numerous sources state that there is a skills gap in data. Numerous industries, including data science and analytics, have reported shortages of qualified personnel. Additionally, companies believe that workers’ lack of data skills lowers efficiency.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the data industry?

Almost every business has been influenced by the coronavirus epidemic in some form. Conditions have been tough, with lockdowns, remote work, and job losses felt globally. For the data industry, this is somewhat true. It’s not all terrible news, either.

Our understanding and ability to track the virus has been aided by data science and big data analytics. The continuous work on virus testing, data modeling, and contact tracing, in addition to keeping an eye on factors like health system demands, has turned the tide.

Without a doubt, you have also seen a great deal of data visualisation associated with the pandemic. People’s ability to stay informed has greatly benefited from such attempts to communicate the facts and the current situation in an understandable manner. It has also contributed to persuading individuals to alter their behavior; “flattening the curve” is one example.

There are still certain problems in the industry even with its triumphs. As per the job site Indeed, there were 43% fewer data science job advertisements in the US in July 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. According to some reports, the pandemic’s aftermath is predicted to “restrict” the growth of big data analytics globally.

What kinds of jobs are there in the industry?

Therefore, there are still many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the data and analytics business, even in light of the current pandemic-induced environment. There are lots of data-based employment available if you’re curious about what kind of work you could be involved in. The field is broad, with interesting new positions emerging on a regular basis.

To help you get a sense of what’s available, we’ve selected some of the top data jobs in a variety of specializations. Naturally, there can be some overlap in these jobs, and some people might fit into more than one category.

Data science jobs

The main goal of data science is to analyze data to find patterns and then use machine learning and algorithms to forecast and make judgments. A career in data science can, as you can guess, lead to employment in a wide range of sectors. Among the positions in data science are:

Data scientist. In order to produce information that is informative and useful, this function focuses on processing raw data. Data science is the application of data to solve problems and support decision-making in a variety of domains, including finance, science, healthcare, IT, and even the gaming sector.
Machine learning engineer. To help computers learn automatically, machine learning engineers develop algorithms and systems by fusing data analysis and software engineering. Once more, there are a plethora of uses for deep learning and machine learning.
Statistician. Expert statisticians frequently solve problems. They gather, examine, evaluate, and convey data for enterprises and big data enterprises in a variety of sectors.

Data analysis jobs

Data analysis focuses on the information’s inspection, purification, transformation, and modeling, whereas data science concentrates on the information’s final product. Even today, experts in this sector typically analyze the data before drawing conclusions from it.

Data analyst. While not often as hands-on when it comes to developing algorithms, this position is comparable to that of a data scientist.The purpose of data analyst jobs is to spot trends and provide the results in an understandable format.
Business intelligence analyst.BI analysts aid organizations in developing and overcoming challenges. Data is used to identify weaknesses, and modeling and technology are used to provide solutions. The demand for this role is rising.
Marketing analyst. The main responsibility of this position is to research market circumstances in order to decide which goods and services a company should offer, and to whom. They examine competition profiles, market demands, and client demographics using data analytics expertise.

Big data jobs

A job in the big data sector involves working with information sets that are too massive and complicated to handle using conventional data processing techniques. There is a huge need for persons with data abilities in this field because we are producing more data than ever before:

Big data engineer. Professionals having the ability to design and oversee the infrastructure needed to handle massive volumes of data are frequently needed for data engineer roles. They labor on gathering, preserving, processing, and analyzing pertinent data.
Data architect.The primary objective of a data architect is creating databases that can manage big data sets. They ensure that the databases are safe and usable for users by working on their planning and integration.
Database administrator. A database administrator ensures that the databases function properly while a data architect designs them. They assist fix any problems and ensure they are safe and backed up.

How do data job salaries compare?

If you’re trying to get employment in the data industry, you probably want to know how much money is made in this field. It should come as no surprise that pay ranges for data jobs vary greatly among positions, industries, and regions given the diversity of the functions.

We’ve selected a variety of data industry positions and the average salary across multiple nations in the table below. Info is sourced from PayScale.

What skills do I need to enter the industry?

In case you’re looking to begin working in the data field, there are numerous options accessible. As observed, there is a current strong need for data capabilities, and this trend is expected to continue. Depending on your job goals, you’ll require different skills and knowledge. are necessary, though, regardless of the position you’re aiming for.

Employers typically assess data job applicants based on a combination of their hard and soft abilities. You’ll need to demonstrate a variety of transferable and interpersonal skills in addition to your practical knowledge in order to be employed in this sector.

Hard skills

This is a reference to the knowledge that is applicable to your work and may be measured. While it is possible to learn things on your own, formal education and certifications are often how they are obtained. Among the most pertinent ones are the following:

Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is a type of programming language that’s designed specifically for managing data and databases. It’s a skill that’s useful for just about any role related to data.
Python and other programming languages. Additional programming languages are frequently needed, especially for positions in data science and analysis.As always, Python is a terrific place to start, although C/C++ and Java are also helpful.
AI and machine learning. In the field of data science, predictive analytics is currently quite popular.Proficiency in machine learning and artificial intelligence, especially with regard to big data technologies, is in great demand.
Data visualisation. The ability to communicate data sets in a form that is simple to comprehend is crucial.That is precisely what data visualisation training will assist you with, which is why mastering data visualisation techniques is worthwhile.

Soft skills

These are the transferable and interpersonal abilities that define your suitability as an employee. Employers seek candidates with good soft skills, even though these are frequently less defined than hard skills. Some crucial ones for data jobs are as follows:

Communication. You will be required to present your findings in a way that is understandable to non-experts in many different kinds of data occupations. Within your organization, you will also need to collaborate with a variety of other specialists. Thus, having effective communication skills is crucial.
Critical thinking. As we’ve seen, careers involving data are typically very analytical. You can analyze your data and formulate the right questions by honing your critical thinking abilities.
Problem-solving. Identifying and resolving issues for organizations is the main focus of many data roles. Sometimes, half the battle is knowing what problem to fix. You can use this expertise to your advantage in both your personal and professional lives.
Collaboration.It is rare for someone in the data industry to work alone. If you want to succeed, you’ll need other professionals’ abilities and knowledge.Collaboration and teamwork are essential to this accomplishment.

Why choose a career in data?

There are a few things to think about if you’re considering a job in the data sector but aren’t sure if it’s right for you. The following are some explanations for picking a career in data:

There’s a lot of demand. As we’ve seen, there is a great need for people who can comprehend, handle, and evaluate data despite the uncertainty that exists in the world today. Since there will likely always be a need for competent workers, you should have no trouble finding employment provided you possess the necessary skills.
It pays well. Even for a lot of entry-level jobs, average pay are typically rather high. Anywhere in the world has the potential to yield substantial earnings for you.
You can help people. Data can be utilized to assist individuals in several ways, as seen by the COVID-19 epidemic. You can anticipate and resolve a variety of problems by recognizing trends and making predictions about patterns.
It’s future-proof.You’ll probably use the data skills you acquire for the rest of your career. With the world becoming more data-driven, this industry should offer you a lot of job security.
How to get started in the data industry

Now that you’re hopefully keen to enter the data sector, where should you begin? Fortunately, there are a lot of places you can start in this field, though it really depends on what part you want to play.

To obtain work in the data industry, as in many others, you’ll often require a combination of education and experience. Here are a few ideas to help you launch your data career:

Education. You must invest some time in studying the pertinent content, whether it is for data scientist or data analyst skills. At least an undergraduate degree is sometimes required for high-paying data professions, and some may even demand a master’s degree. Having stated that, your own study will allow you to learn important subjects.
Training. Formal training typically takes the shape of a placement or internship. However, you can acquire many of the data skills you’ll need for your profession through your own initiatives and study.
Experience. Securing a position in data frequently depends on having some industry experience. Once more, this may result from your own projects or a placement. But, you might also be able to learn about data roles through a secondment or other arrangement at your current position.
Networking.Having the correct contacts can help you land a new career. You may grow your professional network and establish new relationships in the data sector by learning how to network.

Final thoughts

It’s obvious that the world of data is diverse and exciting. There are many of fascinating professions and employment responsibilities available, and there is a strong demand for them. There are a variety of skills you can work on to accomplish your goals, regardless of whether you want to pursue a career in big data, data science, or analytics.

Many of us will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation as our environment gets more and more data-driven. Thus, honing your data abilities can help both at work and at home, even if you’re not aiming to change careers.