A Wide Range of Skills Will Help Your Big Data Career

When IT professionals think about skill development that will help their Big Data career, they often focus on skills like programming languages, database administration, Hadoop and Spark. However, a successful career path involves more than the tried-and-true hard skills most professionals work to further.

To help you move your Big Data career forward in today’s job market, here are additional skill areas you need to develop.

Big Data Skill #1: Mathematics and Statistics

Big data and data science are driven by mathematics and statistics. Skills in areas like multivariable calculus and linear algebra form a basis for many techniques involved in data analytics and machine learning. Further, statistics-oriented concepts like probabilities, distributions and maximum likelihood estimators can help drive business decisions.

Big Data Skill #2: Data Visualization

Big Data can be challenging to understand fully, but having a visual representation of the information can make it much easier to grasp. Understanding the tools and techniques needed to bring the data to life in a way your eyes can assess quickly can help you identify patterns or reveal details that may otherwise be missed.

Data visualization can also make the information more accessible to others who are less familiar with the handling and interpretation of data in its raw form. This can make collaborative efforts easier, especially when working with professionals outside of the data science team.

Big Data Skill #3: Business Functions

Companies are drawn to Big Data for its ability to improve business functions throughout the organization. However, you can only help leaders achieve these goals if you have a solid understanding of what the other functional areas do. Without a grasp of the other departmental functions, it can be difficult to determine what information and analysis will provide the necessary value.

Big Data Skill #4: Communication Skills

Professionals employed in the Big Data field often have to convey information to those less familiar with the idiosyncrasies of data. This can include members of management as well as other employees working in different departments.

Often, the discoveries made through big data analysis are applicable to other business areas, such as marketing, product development and human resources. While these employees are likely highly skilled in their areas, they may need guidance when it comes to interpreting the results of data-oriented efforts. To facilitate this need, you must be able to discuss complex ideas in a way that is accessible to those with less technical backgrounds, and this is a skill in its own right.

Related: How Can Deep Learning Make You a Top Big Data Candidate?

Work with a Top IT Recruiter

If you are interested in learning more about the skills needed for a strong career in Big Data or are looking for new job opportunities, the professionals at Validity Solutions can help you explore your options. Contact us today to see if you are ready to take your Big Data career to the next level.