Exploring Data Analytics Careers as an IT Student with a Civil Engineering Background
As an IT student with a background in Civil Engineering, I have become increasingly interested in data analytics and its diverse career opportunities. The capacity to use data to make informed decisions and solve complicated problems has piqued my curiosity. Three data analytics occupations stand out: Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, and Quantitative Analyst (Quant). Here is a look at these fascinating paths and the credentials that go with them.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist’s role is similar to that of a data detective. These experts gather, analyze, and evaluate data in order to deliver essential insights that drive strategic decisions and improve corporate operations (Coursera, 2021). They use statistical approaches, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization tools to uncover hidden stories inside datasets.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
INFORMS’ CAP certification covers a wide range of analytics topics, making it an excellent choice for budding data scientists.
AWS Certified Machine Learning — Specialty
This certification, focusing on machine learning concepts within the AWS cloud environment, piques my interest as it combines data analytics with cloud computing — an intriguing fusion of skills (Amazon Web Services, n.d.).
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers are the architects of intelligent systems (Yasar & Gillis, 2023). They provide solutions to predict outcomes, identify trends, and automate decision-making processes by designing, developing, and deploying machine learning models and algorithms.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
The CMLP certification from DASCA provides an in-depth understanding of machine learning, covering everything from model development to practical applications (GSDC, n.d.). It aligns perfectly with my aspiration to apply data analytics to real-world problems.
Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer
Given my background, I am intrigued by this certification’s focus on machine learning within the Google Cloud ecosystem. It offers the opportunity to delve into data analytics within a highly innovative tech environment.
Quantitative Analyst (Quant)
The financial industry’s quantitative gurus are known as quants. In order to assess financial data, control risks, and develop trading strategies, they use cutting-edge mathematical models (Depersio, 2022). The mathematical parts of this work are fascinating to me as an engineer.
CERTIFICATIONS
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
The FRM certification’s emphasis on risk management, financial markets, and quantitative analysis aligns with my desire to apply data-driven approaches to financial decision-making.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA certification, renowned for its thorough coverage of financial analysis, economics, and ethics, offers a holistic perspective for those interested in the financial side of data analytics.
In conclusion, making the switch from a background in civil engineering to the field of data analytics is a fascinating adventure. These professions provide you the chance to use your analytical abilities to solve problems in the real world and have a significant influence. By pursuing the necessary credentials, I may gain access to these fast-paced industries and use my engineering expertise along with data-driven insights to develop novel solutions.
REFERENCES
Amazon Web Services. (n.d.). AWS Certified Machine Learning. https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-machine-learning-specialty/
Certified Analytics Professional. (n.d.). CAP. https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/
Coursera. (2021, March 30). What is a data scientist? Salary, skills, and how to become one. https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-a-data-scientist
Depersio, G. (2022). Quantitative analyst: Job description and average salary. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/121615/quantitative-analyst-job-description-average-salary.asp
GSDC. (n.d.). Machine learning professional certification. https://www.gsdcouncil.org/certified-machine-learning-professional
Yasar, K., & Gillis, A. S. (2023). What is a machine learning engineer? What do they do? Tech Target. https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/definition/machine-learning-engineer-ML-engineer