Jeremy Kaplan
If you want to nail a dream job in a data-driven industry, you need a bit more than a degree in computer science and statistics. You have to be able to adapt to the problems of business today. Big data used to be the province of large enterprises. It was the sort of thing that financial institutions did to give themselves a leg up on the competition. But now practically all companies plan to use big data in one form or another. But what’s happening in the industry is rather strange. Because it’s always developing along the frontier, the types of skills demanded are quite varied. You need to have a smorgasbord of competencies that you can cobble together to get the job done. It’s what big data employers are looking for.
And that means that you need to be the whole package if you want the fat paychecks. So how do you become a top candidate for a career in big data?
Develop An Eclectic Mindset
The ecosystem surrounding big data is still coalescing. There are all sorts of different solutions for different problems. And they don’t always come together in a harmonious way. In other words, the world of big data is a big mix of ideas all floating around in space. If you’re going to understand what’s happening in the industry, you need to see things from many perspectives. Sure, you might have a great understanding of big data on one platform. But what about applying it to another? Because big data is on the frontier of technology, it’s a big mixture of different ideas from a whole raft of sources.
Start Getting Clued Up Early
Learning about big data is one thing. But understanding how and why the who ecosystem comes together is quite another. There is a vast range of skills you need to master before you can truly fly in the industry. Employers want hard skills in the common big data applications, of course. Discover Simplilearn for more info on these. But they also want a broad range of skills, including quantitative analysis and even creativity. This is why it pays to start toying around with different software packages and just geeking out from time to time. Play around with tools, test their limits and generally have fun. This is the way to learn and build experience in a wide range of applications.
Know Why Big Data Is Important
When you show up to interview, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of why big data is important. Your employer is likely passionate about the potential of big data to transform business and lives. And they want to see the same passion mirrored in you. Knowing why big data is important will help set you apart from other candidates. At the interview, talk about how you think big data is changing the world in which we live. And introduce your interviewers to the success you’ve already had in the field. Discuss all the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
