While 2012 had been predicted as a big year of BigData, regrettably there are not that many data scientists who have mastered the art of BigData and associated analytics. The expertise on this very subject is handful and is still an evolving concept. Its natural that over months to come organizations will be looking for data scientists and CloudTweaks has recently published the top 5 qualities which are listed below for such scientist.
Bigger Certs for Bigger Data
Generally, most Masters or PhD holders are familiar with the bigger picture. They are more inquisitive, more curious about finding the pattern amongst the chaos, which is a key factor for a Big Data analyst in finding the value from the swarms of Big Data. A Bachelor degree holder or even a Diploma holder may be able to do this but that would be more a case of talent and aptitude than nurture and experience.
Stats, stats and more stats
If you can predict the future with statistics, then your future in Big Data is very bright. Knowledge and experience in algorithms and probability with data matrices are key indicators that the person with these skills will be able to handle the massive amount of data that Big Data datasets have.
Know your tools
The main tools required to sift through Big Data datasets are mainly linked to programming. This means you know how Hadoop is implemented and can query anything from SQL fluently, fluidly and fast. Having experience in C++ is a good primer but the real winners will have worked on large datasets on their own utilizing the latest techniques and technologies.
Losing nothing in translation
Finding the correct numbers at the bottom line is now no longer enough to be the rock star Big Data analyst. You have to be able to communicate with the people who are going to work with it the most and do so effectively. Most of the time, this means a general knowledge of business along with some good public speaking skills. The rock stars will be able to boil down the Big Data soup to its most basic numbers and explain it in the most idiot-proof way possible without hurting anyone’s feelings.
Everything is related
Contrary to what most people think, specialists do not make very good Big Data Analysts. This is because data can come in from any given field yet still have some relevance to the greater whole. So rather than have a master specialist, you’re going to need a master-of-none while still being a jack-of-all-trades.
Equal opportunities
While most Big Data analysts point towards those with Computer Science backgrounds as being the most likely candidates, Business Intelligence students can still make a career as a Big Data Analyst. However, bear in mind that the amount of subjects to brush up on are a lot more for the BI student. The Computer Science student needs only to brush up on his or her statistical math skills but the BI student will have to learn this and how to program. BI students are more likely to communicate better though so this is one area that Computer Science students could focus a bit more on.
