IT professionals can advance their careers in data science by building on existing skills & experience in data & programming.
Moving an established career away from the IT industry may seem daunting, but consider the advancement opportunities. Rather than starting from scratch, join one of the most promising sectors in Australia by becoming a data scientist. Transitioning into an industry where you can use your existing skills will provide a clear pathway to promotions, higher pay and diverse job prospects.
Not to be confused with data analytics, data science produces broad insights to help turn data into business assets (whereas data analytics involves performing statistical analysis on existing data sets). Data science jobs offer IT professionals great opportunities, as so many skills overlap between the two industries.
Discover why you should consider pursuing a career in data science and how Monash Online’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Data Science can help you get there.
For a comprehensive list of data science careers, please read our article on Everything you need to know about data science jobs and careers.
The rise of data
Effectively capturing and managing data has never been more imperative for businesses. Companies spanning a diverse range of industries are relying on data to better understand their consumer and their market, and in turn, inform better business decisions and processes.
Data is used to find new customers, hold onto existing ones, improve marketing efforts and much more. When your choices are backed by factual stats and information, you don’t have to waste time and money on a trial-and-error approach.
Dubbed “the world’s most valuable resource” by The Economist in 2017, data is a vital asset – and it’s everywhere. There has never been more data being generated than there is today. However, what good is it for a business to gather this data if they don’t know how to review it and use it to their advantage? This is where you come in.
With the growing importance of data comes the growth of the data science job market. Job postings for data scientists increased 58% in 2018, with four out of five jobs located in New South Wales and Victoria, and is expected to grow another 11% in the next 5 years. Seek can also reveal that the average salary for a data scientist is $120,000 per year in Australia, according to job advertisement data.
With an overlap of knowledge and skills already under your belt, IT professionals are perfectly positioned to make the most of career opportunities associated with efficient data management by developing advanced data science skills.
The importance of programming
If you’re worried your programming skills may be going to waste in IT, they could be put to more effective use in data science. Programming languages help data scientists clean and organise unstructured sets of data, so they can be turned into valuable business insights. Data scientists need advanced programming skills to effectively manipulate data and make sense of complex metrics.
Building on your existing programming skills will help you successfully transition into the data science field from IT. Monash Online’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Data Science introduces the fundamentals of different programming languages and software to students, including:
- Python
- Panda
- Hadoop
- Spark
It also covers problem-solving strategies and techniques for algorithm development. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to offer the kind of programming skills required for a successful career in data science.
Offer a formal education
Even if you already have the skills required to embark on a career in data science, attaining formal acknowledgment of your abilities will help you take the next step in your career. Unlike some short courses that only cover the basics of data science, Monash Online’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Data Science develops the skills you’ll need to offer real value to data science companies. Our teaching faculty is filled with experts in their field who will help you acquire skills and knowledge that are backed up by research.
Having a formal qualification will give you the confidence to prove yourself in a new industry, giving you a greater chance of being considered for leadership roles. You’ll also have opportunities to practice real-world consulting while studying, so you can graduate with industry experience. With a degree from a university ranked in the top 1% worldwide, the possibilities are endless.
Before embarking on a career in data science, acquire the most up-to-date skills by enrolling in the Graduate Diploma of Applied Data Science with Monash Online. This qualification comprises 8 units covered over 1.5 years, so you can get qualified quickly without taking time out from your career. As the graduate diploma is 100% online, you’ll be able to study wherever and whenever you want. This means you’ll have the freedom to continue your career trajectory while earning a degree that aligns with your ambitions.
Learn more about studying data science by calling a course consultant today on 1300 272 509 or arrange a booking online.
