- Data science is one of the fastest-growing professions in 2025. Think of it as the early days of the internet boom.
- You don't need a specific degree to become a data scientist - people enter from Computer Science, Math, Business, or even Physics backgrounds.
- You can become a data scientist through bachelor's degrees, master's programs, or short online courses.
Data science is a growing field, and it’s not hard to see why — data is everywhere. Businesses rely on it to make better decisions, hospitals use it to improve diagnoses, and your favourite streaming platform counts on it to give you personalised recommendations. This puts data scientists in the spotlight. They use a wide range of tools to collect, analyse, and interpret complex data.
If you enjoy working with numbers and tech, you might enjoy this career path. In this guide, you’ll learn about how to become a data scientist, including job tasks, education requirements, and career prospects.
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What does a data scientist do?
Data scientists turn data into useful insights and actionable steps for businesses. They gather information, clean it up, and run it through software to spot trends. But what does this actually mean, and how does it help companies? Here’s what data scientists might be doing in different industries:
- Tech startup: Analysing user data to figure out which app features people love the most, and then helping the team build better updates.
- Streaming company: Spotting fake accounts or unusual streaming patterns to stop fraud and keep things fair for all users.
- Retail brand: Using sales data to find out what products are trending, so they can stock the right items and improve marketing.
- Marketing agency: Using machine learning to help marketers find the right customers faster and boost sales.
- Government: Analysing traffic or crime data to help cities improve safety and public services.
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, data science is one of the fastest-growing professions in 2025, so you’ll likely find many job opportunities if you choose this field. The first step to becoming a data scientist is some sort of training or degree, so consider starting by checking out Bachelor’s degrees or Master’s degrees in Data Science.
Is becoming a data scientist the right path for you?
If you enjoy working with numbers, learning more about technologies like AI and machine learning, and have strong analytical skills, data science might be a good career option.
Besides technical knowledge, successful data scientists have the following personality traits:
- Curiosity to learn more about different tech tools and software
- Good communication skills to present findings to others
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex projects
- Project management and teamwork
- Adaptability to work with various tools
Software and tools that data scientists use
Data scientists use a mix of programming languages, software, and tech tools. These help them gather and analyse data, build models, and present their findings in a visual format. Here are some of the most popular tools:
- Programming languages: Python, R, SQL
- Data visualisation tools: Tableau, Power BI, ggplot2
- Data processing and analysis: Apache Spark, Pandas
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure
Want to learn more about these tools? Use the filters on Shortcourseportal to find online courses on Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and more!
What degree do you need to become a data scientist?
There’s no one set path or degree to become a data scientist. Some data scientists have a Master’s in Data Science, while others move into the field from areas like Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Business Administration. What matters most is learning the right types of tools, like Python, SQL, and Power BI, and gaining real-world experience.
Here are some undergraduate, postgraduate, and short course ideas for your data science education.
Undergraduate Data Science degrees
Many data scientists study Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or Physics at the undergraduate level. These subjects focus on developing excellent problem-solving skills, which come in super handy in a data science career.
In many universities, you can also find dedicated Bachelor’s degrees in Data Science or programmes that combine Data Science with a related discipline. Here are some examples from Bachelorsportal:
- Data Science for Responsible Business in Emlyon Business School, France: This degree combines data science with AI, preparing students to develop ethical and innovative tech solutions as business leaders.
- Physics with Data Science, University of Birmingham, UK: Combining Physics with Data Science can be a great idea. Physics teaches you how to think logically and solve tough problems. And with Data Science, you can use those skills to find patterns, make predictions, and come up with solutions.
- Data Science with Year of Professional Experience, Queen’s University Belfast, UK: In this programme, you’ll learn key data science topics like statistics, programming, and cloud computing. You’ll spend your third year doing an internship to gain hands-on experience, which will be very valuable later on in your career.
Postgraduate Data Science degrees
If your Bachelor’s degree was in another field, you may want to consider a Master’s degree in Data Science to learn more about programming tools and improve your project management skills.
Master’s degrees also include a research project, which means you can dive deeper into a specific industry or an area. For example, if you want to become a data scientist in the healthcare industry, you can focus your project on how data can improve patient care.
Short courses for Data Science
If you want to get a quick introduction to Data Science or build up specific skills, there are tons of online courses that cover coding, data analysis, machine learning, and more. Browse Data Science courses on Shortcourseportal to learn more.
Internships and experience after graduation
While there aren’t any compulsory internships for data scientists, doing one can help you land your first entry-level job. Start researching opportunities early, and don’t be discouraged if your first internship isn’t in your dream field — you’ll still learn a lot and build valuable skills for your next job.
A great example comes from recent graduate Jacob Mazurkiewicz, who started his data science career with a data engineering job.
“I didn’t want to do data engineering for the rest of my life, but it taught me important skills in coding and working on real-world projects for a company. Plus, almost every interviewer asked to know more about my experience there,” wrote Mazurkiewicz in his Medium blog.
Final tips to succeed in your data scientist journey
To break into data science, you’ll need to show employers that you’re confident using key tools and that you have the right analytical skills. Start looking for internships early on, and consider taking Data Science training courses along the way.
If you’re enrolled in a Data Science degree, ask your university for internship recommendations, mentorship advice, or industry placements. Use their support beyond the classroom!
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a data scientist?
Becoming a data scientist may take a couple of months or years, depending on the courses and degrees you’ve completed. You can study Data Science at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, or complete intensive training programmes to learn about the field.
2. How difficult is it to become a data scientist?
To become a data scientist, you’ll need to stand out in the job market and be confident using different technical tools. This can seem challenging, but if you keep practising, it’s definitely doable.
3. Is data science a good career choice?
Data science is a good career choice as it’s in demand, pays well, and you can work in lots of different fields.
