7 Top Jobs in Data Science that Every Company Needs

Have you ever wondered how many movies you could store on 1 terabyte (TB) of data? The answer is: up to 250 high-definition movies! While this is an impressive number, we estimate that 1 zettabyte (ZB) – the second-largest measurement of big data – can store more than 250 billion movies!

The table below gives a breakdown of these and other unit measurements:

It is estimated that there will be a total of 181ZB digital data worldwide by the end of 2025. Big data has obviously taken the world by storm, resulting in huge opportunities in the workforce. Tech companies like Apple, Samsung, IBM, Oracle and Western Digital are always on the lookout for data experts to help them enhance and maintain their offerings. However, data science jobs are no longer limited to just the tech industry.

Media and entertainment companies, such as Netflix, Disney and Astro, and retail companies, like Amazon, Shopee and Lazada, have realised the need for big data analytics and begun hiring data experts. Big data management is imperative in these industries as it can be used to improve their services and help them stay competitive in a data-driven landscape.

Here’s a list of the top seven jobs in data science that await students with an online Master of Data Science from Sunway University Online:

1. Data Scientist

A data scientist is someone who is in charge of conducting research and experiments to determine the best way to solve a technical problem. For example, the movies recommended to us on Netflix are determined by a system that compares what we’ve watched earlier.

This system is often created by a team of data scientists who come up with specific algorithms that are able to predict a user’s viewing behaviour.

2. Data Analyst

Companies often collect a wide range of data, but it mostly goes to waste because they aren’t able to analyse it properly. This is where a data analyst comes in. A data analyst turns big data into meaningful insights that can help a company make better decisions.

If a company were to conduct a survey to find out how they could improve their services, a data analyst would carefully study the results and convert them into comprehensible and actionable recommendations. They’re also tasked with analysing huge amounts of automatically generated data captured by increasingly advanced data architecture in businesses.

3. Business Intelligence Analyst

Similar to a data analyst, a business intelligence analyst is someone who uses multiple sources of big data to identify business trends and abnormalities.

For instance, fashion retailers Cotton On and H&M quickly caught on to the return of the “Y2K Fashion” trend and came up with collections to suit it. This is the work of good business intelligence analysts who were able to spot a profitable trend and offer revenue-generating ideas.

4. Enterprise Architect

Think of an enterprise architect as your group leader for an assignment. They come up with strategies to achieve the group’s goals and work on implementing them throughout the project.

An enterprise architect in a company is in charge of upkeeping IT systems and the overall technology infrastructure to ensure a smooth operation all year round.

5. Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers are the backbone of every organisation. They create self-running artificial intelligence and machine learning systems to improve the efficiency of predictive data models.

A simple way to understand this would be to think of the Foodpanda customer support bot that offers you help before connecting you to a live agent. This customer service bot is able to predict customers’ questions and often offers solutions without the need for users to talk to a real customer support agent. Essentially, this helps save time and money for a business.

6. Database Developer

Just like the name suggests, a database developer’s primary role is to create and maintain databases to prevent them from crashing. In more technical terms, their job revolves around monitoring databases and eliminating inefficient coding.

It’s comparable to a building inspector who carefully checks every nook and cranny before granting approvals for safety certification.

7. Data Security Analyst

When customer data is involved, there’s always the question of “How secure is my data?”. This is where having a data security analyst pays off.

Similar to campus security, who are tasked with keeping students safe while on the premises, a data security analyst conducts risk assessments and security audits to ensure that all customer data is protected. This has become an absolute necessity for companies, given the alarming increase in cybercrime.

Endless Possibilities Await You

These are just a few of the amazing job opportunities that await you after graduation. With the world relying more and more on big data, the demand for data professionals will no doubt skyrocket as well!

The comprehensive subjects offered in our online Master of Data Science programme are packed with knowledge and skills-training coursework that will prepare you for the world of big data management. Whether you’re interested in becoming a data scientist, a database developer or even a role not listed above, you can rest assured that our programme sets you on the right path to achieving your dream job.

Future-proof your career. Speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor today!