What it Takes To Build A Career In Big Data

One of the most important aspects needed by businesses today to do well is data. Big data isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It has become an extremely important aspect for organizations to pay attention to. In fact, it is safe to say that Big Data is becoming a movement. It is now driving more organizational decisions than ever before. With vast amounts of data being produced in real-time, there is a rising demand for people with skills to manage, analyze and help organizations use it effectively to outperform their competitors.

With every passing day companies are understanding the importance of Big Data as a useful source for gaining insights and making well-informed decisions. There is a huge scope for a successful career in Big Data. Organizations are looking for Data Analytic Specialists who can define the Big Data, uncover hidden pattern, spot opportunities and create insights for the betterment of a business.

According to Forbes, Big Data Analytics is considered to be the most trending expertise by 75% IoT providers and over 68% of them are struggling to find employees with relevant expertise. It is considered to be an added value to any organization that allows them to make informed decisions and provide them with a winning edge over their competitors. Therefore, with the right qualifications and skills, you can go a long way in building a rewarding career in Big Data and increase the chances of becoming a key decision maker for an organization.

Skills needed to get a career in Big Data

If you have a flair for math and statistics, Big Data Analytics career move will allow you to enhance your skills in applied statistics, linear algebra, real analysis, numerical analysis, and graph theory. Some of the qualities needed to get into the field are:

1. Programming

While traditional data analyst might be able to get away without being a full-fledged programmer, a big data analyst needs to be comfortable with coding. One of the most important tasks is to develop customization on a daily basis to deal with unstructured data. An individual must at least be familiar with R, Python, and Java.

2. Data Warehousing

Familiarity with relational and non-relational database systems is a must. The Relational database includes:

• Mysql
• Oracle
• D2B

Non-relational database includes:

• Nosql : Hbase
• HDFS
• MongoDB
• CouchDB
• Cassandra
• Teradeta

3. Computational Framework

Experience with frameworks such as Apache Spark, Apache Storm, Apache Samza, Apache Flink and the classic MapReduce and Hadoop. These are some of the most important qualifications needed for a career in Big Data.

4. Statistics and Quantitative Aptitude

While processing Big Data requires extensive use of technology, the fundamental to the analysis of any data is a thorough knowledge of statistics and linear algebra. Statistics is a basic building block of any data science and understanding of core concepts like:

• Probability distribution
• Random variables
• Summary statistics
• Hypothesis testing

5. Business Knowledge

One of the key qualities of a Big Data professional is analyzing the data. To keep the analysis focused, to validate, sort, relate, evaluate the data, the most critical skill of a Big Data Scientist is to have a thorough knowledge of the domain one is working on.

Career opportunities in Big Data

Some of the career options available for individuals who are looking to explore this lucrative field are:

1. Data Analyst

If you have a flair for math and statistics, Big Data Analytics career move will allow you to enhance your skills in applied statistics, linear algebra, real analysis, numerical analysis, and graph theory.

2. Data Scientist

They analyze raw data and present their findings to the management or business heads so their company can make smart decisions going forward. An ideal candidate would possess both technical and business skills in order to use data to make recommendations about trends and actions that could lead to growth.

3. Data Architect

These individuals are familiar with all aspects of a database’s design, from the inside out. They work with the team of big data engineers to create data workflows that achieve their company’s goals.

4. Database Administrator

These individuals manage the company’s day-to-day database. Some of their responsibilities include handling updates and modifications, maintaining safe backups and ensuring the database remains stable.

5. Big Data Engineer

They are the mediators between business executives and data scientists. Their top-class communication skills make sure that data scientists understand the company’s major goals so they can put data to work in a way that achieves those objectives. In addition to helping the engineering team process data in accordance with business goals, they also handle large amounts of raw data and evaluate new data sources. This is an ideal career choice for a strong communicator who possesses a healthy balance of business smart and technical know-how.

6. Database Manager

They lead the data team and maintain their company’s entire database environment, along with standard management duties like adjusting their department’s budget and managing personnel.

For a rewarding career in Big Data, there are many certification courses and material available online for new, as well as, knowledgeable candidates who want to broaden their skills. As a refresher, it is essential to learn about big data, what it is, and why we should use it. The Learning Catalyst training course lets you master the concepts of the Hadoop framework and prepares you for a successful career in Big Data. Along with the specific qualification, it also offers other coding courses to give you a holistic approach to the field and prepare you to become a top candidate. Know more about their courses here.