It’s been often said that data science will be extinct around 10 years from now. Some articles online say 2025, 2029 at best.
I’ve often wondered though, is that really the case? How can that be when Data Science just took off? We all know that the amount of people pursuing Data Science roles has become extremely popular in recent years (within the last decade). So why does it seem like people are ready to stomp it out so quickly? Why is data science, in all its shameless, shining glory so rapidly being dethroned as one of the top sought after careers in the 21st century?!
Ok, I’ll stop.
Now let’s take a look at some stats!
1.
I dare you go onto any of the top online job posting boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. and search for “data science” and you’ll easily find no shortage of data science job roles ready to filled by employers all over the world. In fact, it is noteworthy to know that “nearly 70% of business leaders in the U.S. will prefer job applicants with data skills by 2021” according to the American Statistical Association. “Projects” will grow “to 2.72 million by 2020".
Those numbers cannot simply be ignored or excused.
2.
In the article titled, “Relax, data science is not dying” on soyouthinkyouwanttobeadatascientist.com, it states in regard to us as humans that, “We generate data.” And furthermore, “And as long as we keep generating data, we will need people who understand how to deal with it, how to work it and how to make sense of it.” Interesting, indeed.
How true it is that we need someone in this specific expertise to control and oversee such important matters as to where to store our precious data. Companies like Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and many more small and large rely on these experts to help to maintain and track sales and the overall health of the business as a whole through collecting, cleaning and by managing the data.
It is so integral.
3.
Paul Mah mentions in “Why Automation Will Not Kill Data Science Jobs” in the section of “the role of human judgement”, he clearly states, “Aside from deciding on the right algorithms to use, or writing a script to prepare a data source, the data scientist must also interpret and address the business problem correctly to select the right data source or interpret the results correctly. Mah further goes on to conclude, “When it is all said and done, data science cannot be automated away. Highly trained and experienced data scientists will always be required for their expertise…”
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Summary.
So I learned today, that I should always trust the first search done on such a vast subject on Google. What I mean is: don’t always trust the first page of Google or the first article you see as your primary or only source you come across as valid research. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll find not just nuggets of differing opinions, but more accurate and meaningful resources.
So there’s a good chance, data science itself and the roles it possesses are probably not going anywhere.
Wheew, what a relief!
It seemed like too many people were hating on data science’s longevity and lasting capabilities. When you type into Google, ‘is data science dying/dead’, you immediately get bogged down with depressing information on the outlook ok of its impending doom! Also, there are a lot of negative, biased opinions without going into any real statistics, experts, or science backing up such erroneous claims with exemption of data.
Just because the ‘trend’ for the job role went down in popularity for a few months or even a year, doesn’t mean it isn’t as needed as before in it’s hay-day of ‘Top 5 or Top 10 trendiest jobs of 202_’. (You fill in the year!)
So just because a job may not be trendy, doesn’t mean it’s not important.
Exterminators aren’t trendy, but there jobs sure are important and well needed!
So yes, data science — whether you are have a degree or not, if you are pursuing a career in data science: don’t stop, keep going! You are valuable and your expertise is needed!
Basically, what I’m saying is,
“You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important.”
But seriously, I sometimes wonder if other professionals are a little intimidated when they see that you don’t necessarily need a degree, let alone college for such a role in the big world of professionalism.
But that’s a topic for another day…
*“One thing is for certain, Data Science will always be in demand as long as data exists.” —From Intellipaat online community.
Resources:
- https://www.amstat.org/asa/News/New-Report-Highlights-Growing-Demand-for-Data-Science-Analytics-Talent.aspx#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20the%20report%20cites%20that,to%202.72%20million%20by%202020
- https://www.cdotrends.com/story/15059/why-automation-will-not-kill-data-science-jobs?refresh=auto
- https://www.soyouwanttobeadatascientist.com/post/relax-data-science-is-not-dying
- https://intellipaat.com/community/64966/why-people-data-scientist-dead-role-companies-used-hire-data-scientist-when-they-just-need-data-analyst-engineer-most-experienced-data-scientists-can-work-quickly-pickup-how-make-rest#:~:text=Data%20Science%20is%20definitely%20not,professionals%20to%20fill%20these%20roles
- https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-floral-table-decor-on-table-7421188/
