Get a copy of the NYC Data Science Academy Bootcamp Syllabus!
Take the first step in finding out if a Data Science Career is for you.
Posted by Vivian Zhang
Updated: Apr 20, 2021
Becoming a data scientist isn’t easy, but it can certainly be worth the effort for the right person.
Not only is it a naturally innovative field, but data scientists are in high demand at companies across nearly every industry. That’s why the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects operations research jobs like data science to grow by 25% over the next 10 years.
Companies need qualified data scientists to help them make sense of Big Data for generating insights and driving important decisions. From marketing and sales to supply chains and business operations, data scientists play a role in every department’s activities.
Despite the high demand, data science is still an emerging industry, so the current job market can’t meet current demands.
This is good news for anyone considering data science as a career because the field can provide incredible job security for the right candidates.
Do you think you’re ready to become a data scientist? Learn how long it takes depending on your skill set, education, and experience as well as the top paths for entering the field.
It generally takes five to 10 years to become a data scientist depending on your current skill set and level of knowledge in statistics.
Data science requires you to master two separate disciplines: data analysis/statistics and programming. Building the appropriate level of expertise in both fields takes time and commitment.
Knowledge and skill aren’t enough either. You also need to prove your experience to employers through a diverse portfolio of projects that reflect the industry’s job demands.
Here’s a snapshot of how long it might take to become a data scientist based on your current education level and skill.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Data Scientist? |
||
4-8 Years for a Degree |
1 to 5 Years for Remaining Knowledge |
Ongoing Experience |
Earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in computer science or statistics |
Learn relevant Python programming or statistics and data analysis not covered during degree work |
Build portfolio through bootcamps, projects, internships, etc. |
If you already have the right level of programming experience and data analysis knowledge, you can become a data scientist in just 12 weeks through NYC Data Science Bootcamp.
Since data science requires a unique combination of expertise, it’s hard to say how long it takes everyone to become a data scientist. The process depends more on where you currently stand relative to the skills and experience data science jobs require.
Use these factors to get a general idea of how long it might take based on your experience.
9 Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Become a Data Scientist |
||
Level of education |
Type of degree and field |
Python and R programming experience |
Mathematics and statistics knowledge |
Data analysis and visualization experience |
Professional background |
Familiarity with data science tools |
Portfolio of project experience |
Completing data science bootcamp |
Most data scientists – 75% – hold either a master’s degree or PhD. If you have at least a master’s degree, you’re in the best position to become a data scientist. In fact, data science boats the highest concentration of PhDs of any field.
Another 20% have a bachelor’s degree.
In a technical field like data science, graduate degrees aren’t arbitrary. The field demands advanced calculus, algebra, and statistics knowledge along with other skills. Plus, most jobs require degrees.
Due to the specialty nature of data science, your degree’s concentration can dictate how long it takes you to become a data scientist. Some universities offer graduate programs in data science specifically, but computer science graduates can also streamline their data science careers.
The chart below outlines other useful degree concentrations for entering data science quickly.
Best Degrees for Becoming a Data Scientist |
||
Computer science |
Information technology |
Statistics |
Mathematics |
Physics |
Business economics |
Python and R are the must-have programming skills for data scientists. Not only that, but data scientists must also understand Python at a master level. This can take anywhere from a few months to several years depending on where your Python skills currently stand.
About 50% of data scientists on Kaggle say they have between one and five years of experience working with Python, but many have several more:
Data scientists apply their programming skills to data sets to transform and manipulate them into useful insights through various tools. That’s why programming is only half of the equation.
If you already have advanced experience in Python, you’ll still need to familiarize yourself with the relevant math and statistics. Specifically, these areas:
Your data science career path will typically only require general principles of calculus. However, probability, statistics, and linear algebra will come up daily for most data scientists.
Do you have experience as a data analyst working with visualizations? You’re in a great position to blend in some programming and become a data scientist.
Data scientists need to manage and manipulate data into useful insights. To do that, you’ll have to present reports, visualizations, and explanations to other people at a company who aren’t data scientists.
Anyone with SQL experience in business operations applications could also move swiftly through data science bootcamp if they have the other skills covered.
Your current career might provide some leverage for breaking into data science if it matches the field’s often required skills. Software engineers with bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees could make the most seamless transition to data science if they have a strong background in Python.
Software programmers, data analysts, and data engineers can also become data scientists in less time than those entering the field from other industries.
Beyond programming and data analysis, you’ll need to apply these skills within the appropriate data science tools. You’ll need to learn the commonly used data science tools in business environments.
These tools typically fall into four main categories:
Learn the Tools to Become a Data Scientist |
|
Tableau |
Hadoop |
Docker |
Spark |
Shiny |
Amazon Cloud |
TensorFlow |
Hive |
Even with the perfect degree and skill qualifications, companies need to see a diverse portfolio of relevant data science projects before offering you a job. If you already have a background in programming, you might be off to a great start.
Otherwise, you’ll have to find other routes to build your portfolio with projects. Make sure to choose projects that relate directly to the industry where you’re applying for jobs.
A bootcamp can provide tremendous leverage for becoming a data scientist in just 12 weeks. If you have a degree and are well versed in Python and statistics, NYC Data Science Bootcamp can help you blend the two disciplines.
You’ll learn how to apply Python and R programming to data analytics and visualizations, machine learning, deep learning, Big Data, and more, along with all the relevant tools. Students also complete hands-on projects for their portfolios.
Plus, NYC Data Science Bootcamp also offers career assistance like mock interviews, resume guidance, networking events, and a 2,000+ alumni network. That’s why it consistently ranks among the top data science bootcamps on SwitchUp.
As mentioned earlier, 95% of data scientists hold at least a bachelor’s degree but 75% have a master’s degree or higher.
A master’s in computer science improves your chances of becoming a data scientist quickly through bootcamp. However, those with bachelor’s degrees or degrees in other fields can still get there with the right preparation.
Evaluate Your Level of Programming Experience
Anyone thinking of becoming a data scientist who already holds a degree will first want to examine their level of programming experience in Python and R.
To prepare for a data science bootcamp, you’ll need to master:
For data manipulation and visualization modules, you’ll want to know how to use NumPy, SciPy, pandas, matplotlib, and seaborn within the IPython notebook.
Consider Your Level of Data Analysis and Statistics
Next, you’ll need to evaluate whether your knowledge of statistics meets the basic demands for data science theory. Brush up on linear algebra, calculus principles, and probability.
SQL databases and commands can help prepare you for applying statistics and data analysis to data science as well.
Enroll in Data Science Bootcamp Prep
When you think your Python, R programming, and data analysis skills have reached their peak, sign up for the NYC Data Science Bootcamp Prep.
You’ll learn the foundations of Python, R, and data visualization for building applications in R Shiny and using all the practical tools in the main data science bootcamp.
Build a Project Portfolio to Prove Your Skill
Both during and after bootcamp, you’ll need to bulk up your experience with projects you can add to a portfolio. Your portfolio should mimic tasks and solve problems commonly found throughout businesses in the industry you plan to work.
By enrolling in the main NYC Data Science Bootcamp, you’ll complete a capstone project designed to meet modern business demands, which you can add to your portfolio. You can also have the opportunity to work on live projects from leading companies.
While challenging and rare, 5% of data scientists don’t have a bachelor’s degree. This means becoming a data scientist without a degree isn’t impossible for the right people.
Start from a Career with Overlapping Data Science Skills
It’s easiest to become a data scientist without a degree if you transition from a similar field. Software engineering, data engineering, data analysis, and software programming are your best bets.
Keep in mind that even if you have the right level of experience and skill, many companies may not hire you for data science roles without a degree.
Build the Relevant Statistics and Data Analysis Knowledge
Data analysis and statistics are some of the toughest skills to learn outside of a college setting. Advanced calculus isn’t necessary, but you will need to use other types of math daily like:
Learn the Right Skills in Python and R Programming
Of all the mandatory skills for becoming a data scientist, Python tops the list. Nearly every job requires data scientists to apply Python and R programming to data sets for manipulation, transformation, cleaning, and more.
Make sure to learn Python and R as they relate to data analysis and visualizations with modules like NumPy, SciPy, pandas, matplotlib, and seaborn.
See If You’re Ready with Data Science Bootcamp Prep
NYC Data Science Bootcamp Prep takes you through introductory Python, R programming, data analysis, and visualizations to prepare students for the full intensity of bootcamp.
You’ll learn how to use all the relevant tools for manipulating and wrangling data, generating reports, applying Python codes, and more. It can also help you figure out if data science is the right career path for you.
NYC Data Science Bootcamp teaches students the skills to become data scientists in just 12 weeks. While intensive, students complete the bootcamp armed with the experience they need to apply for jobs and tools to succeed in the field.
Bootcamp is only appropriate if you already have the right level of knowledge in Python, R programming, and data analysis. Those that do will learn things like:
NYC Data Science Bootcamp students also complete a capstone project designed to apply the skills to a practical business operations scenario, along with other hands-on projects throughout the course.
As part of the NYC Data Science alumni, you’d also unlock access to useful career assistance thanks to the school’s corporate partnerships and a large network of over 2,000 students. Instead of entering the job market unprepared, you can take advantage of things like:
NYC Data Science alumni already work at companies like Google, Verizon, Deutsche Bank, and more.
The first step in becoming a data scientist is to complete your Data Science Bootcamp Application. Just click the button to apply. It's free and will only take you about 5 minutes.
Take the first step in finding out if a Data Science Career is for you.
Vivian is the CTO and School Director of NYC Data Science Academy and CTO of SupStat. With her extensive experience working in the data science field, she developed expertise in multiple programming languages, including R, Python, Hadoop, and Spark. In August 2016, Forbes ranked her amongst one of the nine women leading the pack in data analytics. In 2013, she created the NYC Open Data Meetup group, which stands as one of the largest data science communities offering meetups, conferences, and a weekly newsletter. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys meeting people and sharing her motivational stories with our students and other professionals
View all articlesTopics from this blog: data science Machine Learning Best Bootcamp
Answer 3 Simple Questions and Get Immediate Course Recommendations.