Data Science is emerging as as one of the hottest new professions and academic disciplines in these early years of the 21st century. A number of articles have noted that the demand for data scientists is racing ahead of supply….

Source: blog.irvingwb.com

Understanding of predictive analytics, potential subject matter expertise, a curious nature and a healthy dose of coding skills would seem to be part of the requirements for becoming a Data Scientist. Irving Wladawsky-Berger’s post, which includes some autobiography on his own career trajectory, attempts to clarify what this new discipline means.

I would say that it’s the combination of skills, knowledge, and interest in exploration that would make a successful Data Scientist. The first two qualities can be gained through study and practice. The last, I believe, would come from the nature of the individual.

I’d also like to posit that this description might fit the title of Data Journalist, to a certain degree. In new programs showing up at universities (such as the Beekman Center in Harvard) there is a lot of coding, photography and video making, and massaging of big data going on to produce a next generation of journalists.

All told, many new fields are opening for curious people who are looking for answers, all kinds of answers, whether for social good, better communication, scientific and medical solutions, or artistic expression.

The explosion of readily available technology, data, and visualization tools has created new fields of study, arts, crafts and science.

Being a “rocket scientist” became sexy about two generations ago; perhaps being a “data scientist”, or even better, a “data visualization scientist” might become the next great profession.