Top 5 Reasons To Learn Data Science In 2023 (Why Data Science?)

Why Learn Data Science Now?

Photo by Louis by Ralingo.com

Learning Data Science in 2023 is one of the best bets since the field is becoming more relevant, and businesses need this skill. The evolving technology and global expansion of businesses are attributed to the rising need for data scientists. Therefore, there are more reasons than ever to learn Data Science in 2023.

What is Data Science?

Data Science is a field of study that combines scientific computing with statistical knowledge to prepare, visualize, and analyze data for insights. It is an interdisciplinary principle that combines various fields of study like computer engineering, statistics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence. The business focus of this field of study is the insights it gives on making informed operational decisions. Amazon Web Services defines Data Science as the study of data to extract meaningful business insights. Therefore, learning Data Science is a catch in 2023 as it enables enterprises to track, measure, and record key performance metrics to facilitate business-centric decision-making.

Key Concepts of Data Science (Image by AnalytixLabs)

Prerequisites for Learning Data Science

Learning data science requires prior knowledge of some technical concepts to help the learner better understand the underlying concepts. Some of the concepts one must understand before starting to learn data science are:

1. Statistics- Statistics is the study of data collection, organization, and analysis; therefore, it is at the core of data science. One requires a solid background in statistics to better understand data science.
2. Databases- A database is an organized data collection, management, and storage facility that supports interaction and electronic retrieval. It is important to understand this file format genre and the processes involved to have a sturdy grasp of Data Science.
3. Machine Learning- Machine Learning (ML) and Data Science have been used interchangeably for a long time, implying that the two complement each other. However, these two fields are not the same; ML can be seen as a subsidiary concept of Data Science. IBM defines Machine Learning as a branch of artificial intelligence that leverages data algorithms to teach computers to imitate humans and gradually augment the accuracy of these algorithms. One must have a basic understanding of ML to ace Data Science.
4. Programming- Data Science requires a solid background in programming using data-driven languages like Python and R. The two languages are used in various ML and Data Science projects, so one must at least have a basic knowledge of either to get started with Data Science.
5. Mathematical Modeling- Mathematical modeling involves using mathematical language and concepts to depict a real-world problem. It is a significant prerequisite for learning Data Science as it enables one to calculate, manipulate data, and develop predictive patterns for particular scenarios.

Starting the Data Science Learning Journey (Photo by Chanin Nantasenamat)

Why Learn Data Science?

Data Science is currently an in-demand skill in the tech field, and the witnessed trends show that it will skyrocket even more in 2023. Therefore, the following reasons should motivate you to take a Data Science course if you were considering it as a go-to skill for 2023:

1. The Demand for Data Scientists Rapidly Growing

Data science currently ranks high among the most in-demand tech jobs in the job market. Various fields require data scientists, making learning this skill a great career choice. Reports by the World Data Science Initiative indicate that jobs requiring Data Science skills are expected to grow by about 27.9% by 2026, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, there is no better time to learn Data Science than 2023 if you are yet to start.

2. Learning Data Science Gives You an Opportunity to Diversify

Learning Data Science exposes one to many job opportunities as Data Scientist is such a diversified skill portfolio. A Data Scientist is a multifaceted professional who can work as a Data Architect, Data Engineer, Software Engineer, System Analyst, and Business Consultant.

3. Data Science Field Guarantees Job Security

Data Science is an emerging technology, implying that it is a fast-growing field. With a growth rate of about 6.5x, the field has a promising future for anyone who dares to learn the skill.

4. Competitive Salary

Data Science is a lucrative career, and there is a lot of money to be made in this field. Compensation for Data Scientists is above the national average salary, according to a Simplilearn report. The report reveals that Data Science is among the top-paying skills, with an annual average of $150K. Since the skill requires proficiency in various fields, the learning curve remains steep as compensation remains high.

5. All Sectors Need Data Science

Data Science is a flexible skill that businesses need for data-driven insights. Businesses are increasingly integrating data environments into their operations, making Data Science a sought-after skill. Industries like Retail, Healthcare, Automotive, Finance, and Logistics rank top as seekers of Data Science professionals.

Reasons to learn data science (photo by Simpliv LLC)

Where To Learn Data Science in 2023?

There are numerous learning resources online for Data Science that you can explore for your 2023 learning journey. Besides taking a self-taught approach, you can register for paid or free bootcamps where you will get resources and experienced mentors to help you learn data science. Consider checking out platforms like:

1. DataCamp
2. Coursera
3. edX
4. Simplilearn
5. Udemy
6. YouTube

You can also read about my journey here:

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