Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Data Scientist

As the world continues to change, more than likely so do the parts that consist of the whole. The emergence and demise of these parts is an eventuality. When it comes to the importance of choosing a career path many factors are taken into consideration, more so nowadays is the projected lifeline in which that path is attributed. This encourages a continued need for continued learning as well as being aware of the world around you to ensure a stable profession.

One such an emergence is the rise of the Data Scientist. Simply from the title some of you may automatically be envisioning glasses, white lab coat and a pocket protector for pens and pencils, boy are you wrong. In fact its far from the common misconception of the typical candidate of this new career path. Before delving into the particulars, let’s take a look as to how this new position came into being.

In my opinion the very beginning of the eventuality of the Data Scientist began with the birth of the Internet. The Internet was actually a byproduct of an initially military application by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) formed in 1957. ARPA was the U.S. government’s research agency for all space and strategic missile research. When NASA was formed in 1958 the ARPA initiative was transferred and the focus was changed towards aeronautics and computer science. With the use of different universities across the U.S. (utilizing mainframes), the ARPAnet was established in 1969. From this beginning and evolution are we able to enjoy all the benefits of being connected to the world at large.

Behind all the connectivity between so many devices lies the treasure and therefore the value of the Data Scientist; DATA! From the obvious to the most minuscule, data is real currency. As the term goes, knowledge is power. The same talent you use to extract abstract information from reading a text book, the Data Scientist is able to take information and find information that is valuable to companies. The Data Scientist isn’t subject to one particular industry, in fact they are equally valuable to nearly every institution today.

Now who is capable to become a Data Scientist? Anyone! Yes while the position requires a number of needed skills such as math and an understanding of computing, the major skill the is the ability to see what’s not apparent and to also see past what is available given complete/incomplete information.

Its amazing to see such a new development in the age of technology, I wonder what else may come about from our continued progress. Do you have any insight as to what other needs do you think will be created due to technology?

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