Complete Guide To Careers In Big Data

 

Jobs related to big data have been on the rise in recent years. Nonetheless, many still have a poor understanding of what "big data" is and what a "big data professional" does for a living.

If you're curious about big data and want to learn more about it as a topic or as a field of study, this article will fill you in on the basics of the subject, including how it operates, the necessary education, possible career paths, salary expectations, and entry requirements.

What Is Big Data?

Data sets that are too large, too frequent, or too complex for conventional analysis techniques are referred to as "big data." With this information, you can solve issues in your business that were previously intractable. What matters more than data volume, however, is what companies do with the data they collect. The typical goal of analyzing large amounts of data is to gain some sort of insight that can then be used to inform better business decisions and strategic moves.

Sales, marketing, R&D, and even strategic management are just some of the many departments that are seeing increased use of big data.

Is There A Need For Professionals In The Field Of Big Data?

Big data has blossomed alongside the development of technology and the proliferation of digital resources. Today, the term "big data" is ubiquitous in the business world. This is true regardless of your location or field of expertise. The need for skilled workers in the field of bid data is increasing as businesses work to streamline their methods of processing and analyzing these massive data sets.

As more and more businesses rely on big data to gain a competitive edge, experts in the field are in high demand around the world. IBM predicts that the demand for data professionals in the United States will only grow in the years to come. For the best opportunities in the big data industry, you should earn a Bachelor of Science in Data Science or a Master of Science in Big Data Analytics.

Big Data Career Paths

Experts from all sectors and parts of the world can find new opportunities in the growing field of big data. The job market is particularly attractive right now for those with big data expertise because demand is expected to keep rising. Some of the most popular and in-demand occupations in this industry are as follows:

1. Big Data Engineer

Similar to data analysts, big data engineers take in large amounts of raw data and distill it down to actionable insights that can be used to improve a company's operations. However, Big data engineers must also collect data from a variety of sources, make sense of it, analyze it, and report on it. These experts design the framework for a company's software and hardware, as well as conduct quality assurance testing, manage, and keep up the enterprise's big data solutions.

2. Data Architect

Data architects are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of large, complex data frameworks. They are responsible for communicating plans, status, and issues to their company's executives, as well as developing strategies for each topic area of the enterprise data model. The designer is accountable for developing database solutions, conducting requirement analyses, and writing up design documentation.

3. Database Manager

Data architects are responsible for the creation and upkeep of large, complex databases, as well as their design. They are responsible for communicating plans, status, and issues to the company's executives as well as developing strategies for each topic covered by the enterprise data model. They are in charge of developing database solutions, conducting requirement analyses, and writing up design documentation.

4. Business Intelligence Analyst

Engineers specializing in business intelligence are the ones who deal with massive data warehouses and the thorny problems that arise from them. Years of experience working with databases, OLAP, and data cubes are essential for a career in business intelligence.

5. Data Scientist

This position is the most in-demand one in the field of big data. In order to derive insights from data, data scientists use their technical and analytical expertise to create novel procedures. They also create prototypes, algorithms, predictive models, and individualized analyses. Data collection, data cleansing, and data manipulation all fall under their purview. In most cases, you'll need to have worked in a similar role before applying for this one.

6. Database Developer

To improve or eliminate inefficient database processes, developers examine the current state of the database and make necessary changes. Database administrators collaborate with other developers to track database health, create new databases, and fix problems as they arise.

7. Data Analyst

Data analysts create tools for processing massive amounts of information, gleaning useful insights that can be used to improve business operations. They have jobs in many different industries, including finance, retail, and technology. Among the many big data jobs, this one is among the most difficult to perform successfully.

The salaries of big data experts, how much do they make?

Wages for skilled workers in the field of big data analysis are rising due to high demand. Experts in the field of big data can expect to earn more money in direct proportion to their level of education, experience, and technical savvy. Big data jobs can pay very well, depending on the role and the candidate's experience, training, and education. Indeed reports that big data salaries vary widely by industry, from an average of $74,708 per year to a high of $139,170.

Where should I begin my career in big data?

Any of the aforementioned positions are viable options for those interested in a big data career. Earning a job in this industry calls for training and expertise. To be successful in a big data role, you need to have experience programming and be proficient in languages like C, Python, Java, and SQL. Acquiring these abilities is best accomplished by earning a bachelor's or master's degree.

Getting your graduate degree will give you the training, knowledge, and experience that future employers value most. At Bay Atlantic University, you can earn a BS in Data Science or an MS in Big Data Analytics, two of the university's data science degrees.