From Amateur to Data Scientist — 3 Months, is it enough?
From Amateur to Data Scientist — 3 Months, is it enough?
Story from Data Science Trainer Perspective
Story from Data Science Trainer Perspective
“Become a data scientist in just 3 months! We will guarantee that”
Is the passage something you often saw from the Data Science Bootcamp advertisement? While the words might would the same as you see out there, but you get the point. Many Bootcamp would try to sell the prospective to become a data scientist in the shortest time as possible.
Although is it really possible? From totally clueless about data science to become a talent-ready data scientist? Here is my perspective from a former data science trainer in the Bootcamp.
Data Science Bootcamp
Why Bootcamp brave enough to make such a statement? We need to know first what the job market wants from the Data Scientist. I take the example of a Data Scientist job post requirement that I found on LinkedIn below.
Above is a typical job advertisement regarding Data Scientist that you could find everywhere. Excluding the job experience, any other skills listed there especially what I circled were Technical Skills.
This is what most Data Science Bootcamp often targeting to fulfil; preparing the Bootcamp students with the technical skills capability to ensure they are called for the job interview.
If we take a look at the Data Science online courses and Bootcamp out there, the learning outline will follow a similar aspect:
Learning Python/R (Programming Language)
Learning Visualization Package
Learning SQL
Learning Machine Learning
Learning Basic Probability/Statistic
This is what a data science Bootcamp often offer and what I taught to my students in the time I work as a Data Science trainer.
Then is it enough in 3 months to learn all the above skills and guarantee the dream job as a data scientist? The short answer is No, but there is always a room for an exception. Let me explain why.
Perspective From Trainer
Data Science Bootcamp
Data Science Trainer is the one who would teach you during your learning journey in your Data Science Bootcamp. For better or worse, not all Trainer have an equal experience and skills when taught a student; nor the Bootcamp institute itself — some do it for the sales.
In my time teaching as a Data Science Trainer, my working place is clearly not ready for having a proper learning material and qualified person to teach.
Sure, there is a trainer who comes from web and development programming background, which I admit their skills are god-like but teaching data science? It’s a big no.
The trainer is mostly young people who were pushed to teaching data science because their programming skill and have through some Udemy slides course. Moreover, I am the only one who really had experience in working with data at the time I join the company, so it was a big surprise for me.
With that experience, I would always take a Data Science Bootcamp with a big grain of salt. So, this is my first point as former Data Scientist Trainer:
“You Need The Technical Expertise to Apply for the Data Science Job, but not all Data Science Bootcamp are equal in quality. Some are just bogus, and would hinder your chance as a Data Scientist.”
With that in minds, selecting a qualified Data Scientist Bootcamp is your first step to becoming a Data Scientist within three months — or as advertised.
Teacher and Student
When you have a proper teaching institute and qualified teacher, would now I could become a Data Scientist? Your chance would be higher, but there is one thing that I need to remind you; Not everyone would cut working in the data field. That is the harsh truth of the world, everyone is talented, but every person has their own talent. Is the Data Science job even worth it? You could read about my opinion here.
Data Scientist Job — Is it worth the sacrifices made?
Long story short — It did (at least for me)towardsdatascience.com.
While I am working as a trainer, I have seen many kinds of students — From experience talented to a total amateur. I could see a students capability for catching up with the study material and understanding the new concept ranging from really fast to need more time to learn.
What was hard for me to make sure every student understand the material because we have a limited time — Advertised from Bootcamp is three months, remember?. In the short span of time, I need to teach all the available learning material.
For a student with fast learning skill, of course, it would be a breeze, but it would be an excruciating experience for a student without the skill to grasp a data science skill.
From my perspective as a trainer, the advertisement to work as a Data Scientist in three months certainly a possibility from some student but almost impossible for another because of the different capability they had.
So, my second point is:
“Not all people are cut to work in the data field, especially with a longer time to grasp the necessary data skill. You might able to if you work harder, but it certainly takes more time than three months as advertised.”
My advice is if you are not sure about your own skills, try to learn what kind of Data Scientist skills and prepare it even before you go to the Data Science Bootcamp. It would help you a lot.
After Bootcamp
After the promised times and graduating from the Bootcamp, am I a Data Scientist now? I would hardly say so, now is the hardest part — securing a job interview.
I have seen many talented students having a hard time to even landing a job interview, more so a job offer. Some Bootcamp offering an opportunity to having an interview with various companies, but some don’t. Although some student still has a hard time during the interview.
Why is that student having a hard time? This is because most of the student only taught the Data Science technical skills; forgetting many other aspects, namely the business and communication.
I know many students who easily secure job are not the smartest or talented, but they who have great communication skill and understand the company business. Learning this skill is for me is the most important skill to stand out from the other candidate. You might want to read more about the Business skill for Data Scientist in my other articles.
Learn the business to become a great data scientist
The core of every data scientist. (Sorry, it’s not the coding)towardsdatascience.com
Data Scientist Must Know Business x Statistics.
Why integration between business and statistic is essential for Data Scientisttowardsdatascience.com
Anyway, what is important about becoming Data Scientist is not just the technical skills but also the business and communication skills. In fact, even some trainer could refer you to a Data Science job if you have a good relationship with them (This is my own experience).
So, my third point is:
“Techincal Skills from the Bootcamp is not the only things that the company look for when you are applying to become a Data Scientist. You might need another skill, such as Bussiness and Communication.”
Although, it is still possible to secure a Data Scientist job even if you lack the business skill. The world is a strange place after all, with many variables could affect your employment chances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that it is hard to become a Data Scientist, especially in three months. This is because:
Some Bootcamp is not qualified enough to teach you the necessary data science skills.
Not every student are talented enough to catch up with the learning material in a short time.
Many necessary skills are needed after finishing the Bootcamp.