Computer science is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand professions today. A computer scientist uses computer programming, statistics and artificial intelligence to analyze data, which is used to find patterns and improve outcomes. With the growing demand for people with computer science skills across all industries, there are plenty of opportunities if you have the proper training.
Whether you work in healthcare, marketing or another field, you’ll also find plenty of avenues to pursue more training or even an online computer science master’s, which you can receive from a provider such as Baylor University. In this article, we’ll explore 10 careers you can pursue with a background in data and computer science. In short, you can seek a career as an information analyst, market researcher or similar role. So, let’s dive in and explore possible career paths!
- Data analyst
A data analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data in a business setting. The data analyst may work in a marketing team to comb through sales figures or customer demographics. They could also work in a financial department examining investment portfolios, risk factors or cash-flow projections. While data analysts typically specialize in one industry or function, the position requires a wide range of skills. For instance, it requires knowledge of computer programming and statistics.
- Market research analyst
Market research analysts are responsible for studying the target market for a product or service. Their insights inform future product decisions. They typically gather information by conducting surveys and focus groups and analyzing sales data. They may also use statistics and data visualization to analyze sales figures and survey results. However, this position typically doesn’t require thorough knowledge of programming languages or statistics as compared to data analysts. Market researchers usually specialize in a particular product or industry, such as consumer goods, healthcare or finance.
- Business intelligence developer
A business intelligence developer focuses on designing and building data reporting tools and dashboards. They integrate data from various sources and create visual analytics to inform business decision-making. Generally, a business intelligence developer works in a company’s IT department. However, companies may also outsource this role to a third-party company. Business intelligence developers should have a firm understanding of database systems, computer programming and information visualization.
- Computer programmer
Computer programmers write code to analyze data, create programs and automate tasks. They work mainly in the IT areas of a company. However, some work independently as freelance programmers. Most computer programmers specialize in a particular programming language, like Python, Java, C++ or Go. These professionals are also familiar with algorithms and machine learning, in addition to having a background in statistics, such as regression analysis, probability and experimental design. As a programmer, you should know data visualization tools and database systems.
- Data engineer
A data engineer designs and manages the systems where large amounts of data get stored. In short, they’re responsible for the integrity of massive amounts of data. Their job is to set up and maintain cloud servers, databases and other storage systems. If they work for large corporations, they may design data visualization tools or create programming scripts. Data engineers typically have an understanding of computer programming languages, such as Python, and data visualization.
- Data steward
A data steward is responsible for managing and cleaning large amounts of data for a company. As a result, a data steward ensures data gets appropriately stored. Furthermore, they ensure that other employees can easily access and process this data. Data stewards may have experience in data systems, data visualization and programming languages, such as C++. They are integral parts of any business or organization because it’s their job to ensure the quality of data.
- Internet of Things (IoT) professional
An IoT professional collects and analyzes data from sensors, devices or internet-connected sources. These professionals may work in supply chain management, cybersecurity or marketing. For those interested in career changes, data analysts and engineers may have the transferable skills needed to become IoT professionals. However, they may need to learn new programming languages or data visualization tools. As the concept of IoT grows, many more opportunities will open in this area of computer science.
- Statistician
A statistician is responsible for collecting and analyzing data to inform the decision-making processes of a business. For example, this data may come from surveys, sensors or public records. If they are employed by a healthcare insurer, statisticians may also work with consumer data. If you’d like to consider a career as a statistician, it’s vital to possess several skills besides knowledge of statistics. You should also be familiar with computer programming, data visualization and probability.
- Healthcare data scientist
A healthcare data scientist analyzes patient data to identify patterns and predict future outcomes. For instance, these professionals might predict the incidence of future diabetes or heart disease risk cases. They may also design data visualization tools or create programming scripts. A healthcare data scientist typically needs to have expertise in statistics and data analysis. To master healthcare data science, some courses to consider include data visualization methods, statistics and data analysis.
- Marketing data scientist
A marketing data scientist analyzes customer data to identify buying patterns. They need to have expertise in statistics and data analysis, as their job is to flag marketing opportunities and predict future customer behavior. As a result, they are a vital member of a company’s team. Marketing data scientists allow company leaders to make informed decisions based on facts and numbers. In addition, they enable a business to scale by providing insights into future consumer behaviors and patterns. All of this helps drive leads and sales conversions for corporations.
Data science: One of the most in-demand industries
Data and computer science experts are very much in demand. Computer science is a highly dynamic field with myriad applications in today’s world. It touches almost every industry and sector of business. As a result, the demand for computer scientists and programmers continues to exceed the supply. With the increasing need for computer and data scientists, there are many reasons why you should consider it as a path to a rewarding career.
