Is Data Science Still Worth It In 2024?

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A lot of people have mixed opinions about the position of data scientists in the year 2024. With the rising use of generative AI tools aiding many organisations and employees in the data analysis process.

Some say data science is dead. Some say data science is being re-born. What should you believe?

This is my opinion.

If data is being compared to gold, more and more companies are generating it and want to get their hands on it. You have to ask yourself why is everybody going crazy about data?

But does that mean organisations still need data scientists if they have tools such as ChatGPT to clean and analyse their data? Despite organisations and specialists leveraging machine learning and AI tools in their day-to-day activities, there is still a clear trajectory for growth in the data science market.

Is Data Science Oversaturated?

We can all admit as a whole that the tech industry is booming and we have people finding a way to get their foot into the industry. A lot of companies are in search of professionals with web analytical skills, business intelligence and basic data engineering which data scientists have those capabilities.

However, when you’re looking at a non-tech company, a lot of those tasks can be automated, leading to a lack of need for data scientists. However, if you are working with a more tech-driven company that requires risk analytics in the financial sector or data engineering and customer analytics – you will have a greater chance of thriving in your career as a data scientists.

It is more about the company you work for.

For example, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and finance. These sectors require analytical services in which the core demand for data science is continuously thriving. Let’s not forget the AI field, for example, natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision which are booming at the moment.

So Is Data Science Worth It?

The simple answer is yes. There are big opportunities for those who have the right combination of skills in analytics and AI model development. The U.S. News & World Report ranked data science as the 4th best technology job and 7th as the best STEM job and 8th out of 100 best jobs in 2024.

These numbers highlight the demand for data science professionals and how they are integral to the future of technology and business.

How Do I Become A Data Scientist?

As you know, the demand for data scientists is high and there are many trying to get into the industry. Some of you may have had thoughts of going back to university, but cannot weigh out the financial burden.

Getting into the tech industry does not have to be so hard anymore. There are various online courses that can get your foot into the door within months and not years.

One of these courses is DataCamps Data Scientist Certification. An industry-recognised certification where you can be confident that your certification holds value and will be approved by major organisations.

In this certification, you will learn how to collect, analyse and interpret large amounts of data using machine learning and AI when needed. With this technical aspect of learning, you will also learn how to communicate the results of your analysis to business stakeholders effectively.

And the amazing part of it is that you can complete it in 30 days! Once you register, you will have 30 days to complete the timed and practical exams with all the preparation you need to ensure success! The learning platform has everything you need to prepare and achieve your goals.

The most difficult part is finding a job, right? In the current economy and job market, a lot of people are afraid to invest in their careers and I don’t blame you.

However, DataCamp offers you exclusive access to their certification community, where you will be able to connect with other certified professionals and explore content curated just for you by our community team. In this community, you will learn about new events with industry experts which is great for networking, group forums to ask questions and get feedback on your work and portfolio, exclusive content tailored to making you a top data professional and resources to stand out and excel in your job search.

Wrapping Up

Many people will have mixed opinions on the growth of data science in the current market. However, there are many still entering the field to fill the demand. Any tech role requires you to learn and upskill, therefore getting your foot into the door as a data scientist will allow you to move onto other areas such as business intelligence or data engineering which are also high in demand.

Nisha Arya is a data scientist, freelance technical writer, and an editor and community manager for KDnuggets. She is particularly interested in providing data science career advice or tutorials and theory-based knowledge around data science. Nisha covers a wide range of topics and wishes to explore the different ways artificial intelligence can benefit the longevity of human life. A keen learner, Nisha seeks to broaden her tech knowledge and writing skills, while helping guide others.