There are three important considerations as you’re researching a career as a Data Scientist, they are:

1. What is the role?
2. What is the career path?
3. Is it lucrative?

Let’s explore these three questions and discover if this is a career roadmap that is right for you.

What is the Role of a Data Scientist?

Data Scientists turn clean, raw data into actionable insights. They accomplish this by applying statistics, machine learning and analytic approaches to solve critical business problems.

Data Scientists contribute to data mining architectures, modeling standards, reporting and data analysis methodologies. Their ability to collaborate with stakeholders to integrate big data results into existing business systems and scenarios is a critical component of their role.

What is the Career Path of a Data Scientist?

Data Scientist often start out as a Junior-level Data Scientist, then they move up the organizational chart, to either a Senior Data Scientist or a Chief Data Scientist.

To become a Data Scientist you need strong verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical leaders. As a Data Scientist, you collaborate with stakeholders and make recommendations on how to use the data to better serve the organizational goals and solve problems.

Is it Lucrative Being a Data Scientist?

According to Glassdoor’s 2018 Best Jobs in America report, the median base salary of a Data Scientist is $110,000.

Considering the organizational structure of where a Data Scientist is placed, it can be a very lucrative career because they are typically mid-level management.  Data Scientist can be promoted to Senior-level Data Scientists and Chief Data Scientists.

Data Scientists are hired by organizations that work with Big Data, typically in large, enterprise organizations, as well as research and governmental institutions.

Moving Forward

Data Scientist careers are in high demand, the best way to find the right Data Scientist position that fits your career level, industry and work/life preferences is to work with the professional recruiters at Open Systems.

At Open Systems, we know how to leverage your experience and skills and can quickly find the best Data Scientist job opportunity that works for you. Contact us today to learn more.

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Though the main benefit of a good mentoring program is it allows more senior professionals to share their unique skill sets that can bridge skills gaps in more junior employees. Bridging these skill gaps can create a more productive workforce that can drive organizational improvements.

What Successful Mentoring Programs Have Mastered: Matching

Mentoring programs are only as strong as the relationships they help foster. Here are several ways to create positive, long-term mentor and newbie relationships.

Identify Skills Gaps Before Making a Match

Identify the gaps you are trying to fill in your mentees skill sets and match the mentees with executives who can help fill those areas. For example, if an employee needs to improve in reporting or presentations, ensure they are matched with a mentor that excels in those areas.

Ensuring mentor and newbie aren’t in the same management chain

When a relationship exists outside the bounds of a management relationship, there is a higher probability the relationship will be more productive. The chance for open, honest dialogue dramatically increases when the mentee does not have to worry about repercussions to either them or their boss. On the other hand, mentors can also provide more direct feedback when the mentee isn’t their employee which could strain their professional relationship.

Match newbies with mentors who are in roles they aim for  

Asking newbies what career goals they foresee for themselves in the future can help make mentor matches. For example, if a junior IT professional wants to be more security-focused, setting them up with a mentor who is a cybersecurity expert would work best.

Try to find some common ground for the match   

Relationships that start out with some common ground tend to be more successful. For example, matching employees who have attended the same college or have similar interests outside of the office is highly beneficial in yielding a robust and productive relationship. This common ground can help bridge the initial awkwardness and create the beginning of a positive relationship.

Moving Forward

Mentoring programs are only as strong as the matches they make. By producing successful mentoring partnerships, many companies can bridge skills gaps that exist in their organization. When the time comes to add these new employees and future mentees, it’s best to reach out to industry experts, professional recruiters. A professional recruiter will be able to identify top industry talent whose involvement will be able to enrich your mentoring program.

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The Must Ask IoT Questions

When considering IoT inclusion in your environment, you must consider the following questions.

What ways can you utilize IoT in your organization?

Before deploying IoT technology, it is best to get an idea of how it can influence your business. Look at current IoT trends to see where it might best fit in your organization. Furthermore, a key item to consider is how it can impact employee productivity. Finally, make sure you’re also considering future use potential. This helps ensure that the focus remains on the business aspects of IoT and not just the technological points.

What are the biggest risks associated with your use of IoT?

The use of IoT can create some specific vulnerabilities, most importantly security. It is critical to consider the security impacts of IoT and update your company information security plans to accommodate it.

Can your network handle the additional workload?

This question directly correlates to scale. How many devices are connected to your network now and how many do you foresee being connected in the future? Will you need to upgrade and grow your network to fully support the use of IoT devices and the higher data transmission requirements that that comes with it?

Advice from Industry Experts for Business Leaders

McKinsey & Company, in a series of videos, spoke with industry experts regarding IoT. These experts provided insightful advice for business leaders. For example, Renee DiResta, VP of business development at Haven states “identify your differentiators. What are you doing? What is your plan? How do you plug into the ecosystem? There’s a much higher bar for impressing a customer at this point then there was five years ago.” Additionally, Jon Bruner, editor-at-large of O’Reilly Media states “think very freely. Imagine something, and then find the right people to execute it. It doesn’t take a lot of resources anymore to start dealing with this stuff. It just takes a couple of really smart people.”

Moving Forward

IoT is an exploding area of technology today. Business leaders and industry professionals are just starting to gauge IoT’s impact on business and operations. If an organization is uncertain of its use and implementation of IoT its best to consult a professional solutions expert. Additionally, a proven solutions provider will be able to offer guidance and create a strategy to tackle IoT challenges for both the near term and years ahead.

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The Top 5 Programming Languages

1. Java

Over two decades old, Java is still a dominant language. Java is the underlying platform for all Android apps, accounting for much of its modern popularity. Java is reportedly used by 90% of the Fortune 500. However, it appears Java may be experiencing a decline in demand in 2018 as the number of job postings for Java has decreased from 2017.

2. Python

The popularity of Python has been growing rapidly over the last five years. It’s most significant portion of growth comes from an increase in the number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects that include data mining and other scientific computing applications that utilize Python.

3. JavaScript

One of the older languages, JavaScript is still a favorite. Currently, over 80% of developers use JavaScript. Furthermore, 95% of websites utilize it as well. Due to its popularity in website development, this language is critical for web developers.

4. C++

C++ is a general-purpose language used by many large companies, especially with enterprise software. A highly versatile language, C++ powers both Google Chrome and Microsoft Windows as well as the backend of Amazon.com.

5. C#

C# is designed to run on the Microsoft. NET platform so, it is behind many web-based enterprise software platforms. It’s also widely used by game developers and has applications in mobile environments as well.

Programming Languages of Honorable Mention

While not in the top five, languages such as Swift, R, and PHP are also highly relevant and have their place in the programming language ecosystem.

Swift

Swift was developed by Apple in 2014 to run on their iOS-based devices. It is open source, user-friendly, and easy to learn. Considering the worldwide popularity of Apple products, it can be a valuable skill if you’re looking to expand your horizons.

R

An open source programming language, R is primarily used in data science and machine learning. R is widely used, including by companies like Facebook, Google, Trulia, and the National Weather Service.

PHP

The oldest language on the list, PHP is still widely used in server-side scripting for websites. It also forms the basis of many custom created languages such as ‘Hack’ from Facebook.

Planning Ahead

When considering expanding your programming skill set, it’s important to know which languages are used in your practice area. Additionally, it is helpful to know which languages are most in demand. When in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter who can provide you with advice and guidance on where to focus your efforts.

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Soft Skills for 2018

Recruiters will be looking for candidates who excel in communication and cross-team functionality. While these soft skills aren’t an area where certifications can demonstrate expertise (with the possible exception of the Program Management Professional (PMP) certification), candidates can provide relevant examples of these soft skills when interviewing.

Communication

The skills to interface and interact with others will always be necessary, no matter the industry. Those candidates who can effectively and efficiently communicate ideas and processes will stand out. Not only must a candidate express ideas well, but they must also listen.

Cross-Team Functionality

In today’s tech industry, much work is done across an entire organization. Now more than ever, tech professionals are engaging with divisions outside the IT department. Tech professionals who have some basic familiarity with other business disciplines like HR, marketing, finance, and operations are highly valued.

Technical Skills for 2018

For 2018 and beyond, employers are looking for high tech skills that range from AI, Cloud, and SaaS to unique programming languages. These skills can be demonstrated with certifications but, in many cases, hands-on experience is also required.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is all the rage in 2018. Experience with data analytics, machine learning, coding, mobile app development, and innovation are critical. For example, in Silicon Valley, currently, there is an intense “arms battle” for top “engineering talent with a focus on AI and machine learning.”

Cyber Security

Following another year of high profile breaches, security will stay front and center for 2018. Candidates that are well versed in information security principles and protocols are in high demand. Knowledge of network security, firewalls, and penetration testing are key. In this area, certifications such as the CISSP and CISM are useful. Also, the area of offensive security is becoming a more significant part of the practice. As such, one of the most sought-after certifications is the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). The expected employer search rate for OSCP professionals in 2018 is expected at 34%.

Cloud Computing and SaaS

Cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS) will continue their growth into 2018. Jeremy Williams from Vyudu, of the Forbes Technology Council, states that “virtualization skills in Amazon AWS, Microsoft Hyper-V, and VMware for private cloud hosting will, without a doubt, help you stand out from the crowd. Experience with DevOps, containers, the entire cloud stack, and IPv6 will also benefit your chances for a top job tremendously.”

Programming Knowledge

Popular programming languages are influenced by the latest trending frameworks and platforms. For example, Spark is an open source cluster computing platform that is used by industry leaders such as Netflix and eBay. Languages such as Java, Scala, Python, and R are used on the Spark platform. R is an open source programming language that supports statistical work and is used extensively in the areas of data mining.

Coding and Engineering Experience

Experience with engineering principles and hands-on experience with coding is crucial going into 2018. According to Chalmers Brown, from Due, of the Forbes Technology Council “an engineering mind and coding skills are now essential for the high-tech industry. Everything is about new ways to build and use products and services that are more intuitive.”

Mobile Application Development

The demand for mobile application development in 2018 will continue to rise. Scott Stiner, of UM Technologies, states that “successful developers should be fluent in multiple programming languages including Java, HTML5, Objective-C, C++, C#, Python, and Swift. Also, app developers with UX and UI design skills can offer much more value for project management.”

Moving Forward

As job seekers find themselves preparing for 2018 and possible job searches in the new year, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter. Furthermore, a professional recruiter can use their expertise and connections to help guide a potential candidate and provide advice on how to best present the top skills a candidate possesses.

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The Year Ahead: The Top Jobs for 2018

Per a CIO.com article regarding the Robert Half Technology 2018 IT salary report these are the top IT positions for the year ahead.

1: Database Developer (Range $97,750 to $175,750)

For Database Developers, a bachelors’ degree in Computer Science or related field is usually preferred. Experience with Oracle and SQL are required. Certifications can also be of great value especially Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDA).

2: Help/Support Desk Technician (Range $32,000 to $81,500)

General requirements vary greatly depending on the level of the role. For entry-level roles, a few years work experience, or an associate’s degree is passable. More senior roles require a bachelor’s degree. Certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) can also be useful and will often lead to higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% increase in computer support specialists from 2014 to 2024. There will be 88,000 net new jobs during this period.

3: Network Administrator (Range $55,000 to $104, 750)

For network administrators, a bachelor’s degree is preferred. However, in lieu of a degree, significant years of related work experience or certifications can often substitute. The most sought-after certifications include Comp TIA A+ certification, Cisco CCNA certification, and the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate).

4: Data Security Administrator (Range $100,000 to $168, 750)

Data Security Administrator is the highest paying role on the list for 2018. It’s no wonder with all the breaches and hacks plastering the news in 2017. However, this role also often requires the most experience and advanced certification. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is often required, and certifications such as MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and CISSP are either required or a great plus.

5: System Administrator (Range $65,500 to $102,500)

For system administrators, candidates with certifications such as MCSA and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) are highly sought after. Also, in many cases, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is preferred.

Looking Beyond 2018: Future Predictions for the IT

When planning for a long-term career, it’s valuable to be aware of future trends that extend beyond the next twelve months. Per Gartner’s Top Ten Predictions for IT in 2018 and Beyond:

• In 2020, AI (Artificial Intelligence) will become a positive net job motivator, creating 2.3 million jobs while eliminating 1.8 million jobs
• By 2021, 40% of IT Staff will be versalists, holding multiple roles, most of which will be business rather than technology related.

Ensuring You Make the Most of out of 2018

In conclusion, if you are a job seeker who is brushing off the resume and starting to look toward the future, it’s important to do a little legwork to determine what roles are the best fit for your background and experience level. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to consult a professional recruiter to create a plan to move forward with your goal of future employment.

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