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Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century

Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century

A complete guide to the job of the future.

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Data Scientist

In October 2021, the Harvard Business Review, a magazine published by the prestigious US university, published an article titled 'Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century'. The Data Scientist is an increasingly popular figure among companies and, according to the report '50 Best Jobs in America',  it’s considered the best job position in terms of employment opportunities, salary and personal satisfaction. The figure of the Data Scientist is relatively new: it has developed in recent years with the explosion of the Internet, social networks and applications. The first to give it a name was DJ Patil, in 2008. Patil is a former Linkedin executive also known for being the first Data Scientist in the US government during Barack Obama's term.

What a Data Scientist does

Data data data

Each of us works with hundreds of pieces of data on a daily basis. From social media to the videos we watch on YouTube, from Google Maps to banking and telephone data. If we think of companies, the volume of this content is even larger. That is why they need someone to handle it: the Data Scientist.

Data data data

Data data data

Each of us works with hundreds of pieces of data on a daily basis. From social media to the videos we watch on YouTube, from Google Maps to banking and telephone data. If we think of companies, the volume of this content is even larger. That is why they need someone to handle it: the Data Scientist.

So what?

So what?

Let’s try to define this figure: it is the data expert who organizes and analyses data in order to achieve the goals of the company; he/she processes and simplifies them to make them accessible and readable, he/she extrapolates trends, and suggests data-driven actions. His role is essential within companies, increasingly relying on Big Data to discover new market opportunities that can benefit them.

The Data Scientist's salary

The Data Scientist's salary

The salary of a Data Scientist at international level varies according to experience, the area in which he/she works, and the position held within the company. The US is the country where the data scientist is paid the most: between $85,000 and $170,000 per year. In Europe, on the other hand, it depends on the country. A junior figure can earn from 30,000 euros to 90,000 euros. In other countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom, for instance, the salary is around 50,000 euros per year.

  • 45.000 €

    Junior salary

  • 65.000 €

    >3 years of experience

  • 90.000 €

    Senior salary

What is the most suitable degree to become a Data Scientist?

Education is important to become a Data Scientist. In reality, there is no entry barrier to this job for people who don’t hold a Master's degree or a PhD; in fact, it is a job that requires continuous training through specialization and refresher courses. In any case, the most popular university degree courses among Data Scientists are Engineering, IT, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Administration and Data Science. This figure has cross competences: he or she uses machine learning tools, data analysis software, algorithms and statistical methods to extract useful information that could be useful for the development and growth of a company. In addition, anyone who wants to be a Data Scientist must have a basic understanding of economics, marketing and business organization, and know programming languages, as well as the legal and ethical aspects of handling data, sensitive information and privacy regulations.

Degree?

Don't need it

Salary?

Super high

Job?

No problem

Job offers for Data Scientists: where to find them

The transversal competences of Data Scientists and their importance for data management mean that job offers for these figures can be found in various sectors: among them, in marketing, retail, finance, e-commerce, logistics, transport, IT and telecommunications companies, banks and insurance companies, social media management, but also in scientific research, healthcare and public administration.

I'm ready to become a Data Scientist