Is Data Science the Right Career for You? A Beginner’s Guide
Fri Sep 05 2025 18:30:07 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)
A wise person once said, 'Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.' It explains the importance of data in the industry. Imagine you open LinkedIn and see job titles like 'Data Scientist at Google,' 'AI Engineer at Tesla,' or 'Machine Learning Expert.' These jobs seem promising, right? Then you ask yourself, 'Should I be doing this too?'.
You're not the only one thinking this. Many people are curious about data science. According to LinkedIn's Emerging Jobs Report, data science roles in India have grown by 37% every year. In the US, it's even more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that data science jobs will grow by 35% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than most other jobs.
So, the question is, is data science the right career for you? Let's get into this.
What is Data Science?
Data science simply means taking all this information and making it useful. For example, it helps Netflix suggest shows you'll like, or helps doctors detect diseases early. Being a data scientist means you are a problem solver, programmer, thinker, and storyteller.
The Qualities of a Data Scientist
Before learning Python or joining a data science course, let’s check if you have the basic qualities.
- Do you enjoy solving puzzles?
- Are you curious about patterns?
- Do you like learning new tech skills?
- Can you stay calm when things don’t work at first?
- Can you explain complicated ideas in simple words?
- Can you make your grandparents understand what AI does?
If you answered 'yes' to at least 3, that’s a good sign. Still not sure? Keep reading.
What Do Data Scientists Do Daily?
What will you do if you’ve started working as a Junior Data Analyst at a small finance company?
- 9:30 AM - You join a short team meeting and explain that you’re working on learning why users are deleting their accounts.
- 10:00 AM - You use SQL to collect user data from your company’s database.
- 12:00 PM - You use Python and Pandas to clean the data as removing mistakes, fixing dates, and organizing it.
- 2:00 PM - You make a simple report or dashboard using Power BI to show the patterns.
- 4:00 PM - You meet the marketing team to share your findings and give suggestions.
- 5:30 PM - You write down what you did, update your files, and log off.
What Skills Do You Need?
Math and Statistics
You need to know basic stats, probability, and algebra - not university-level stuff, just the basics.
Programming (Python or R)
Python is the most popular. Learn how to write basic code, use libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and Scikit-learn.
Basic Machine Learning
Learn simple models like decision trees, regression, or clustering.
Data Visualization
You should be able to make charts and graphs using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python libraries.
SQL
This is very important. You’ll use SQL often to get and filter data.
You can learn all of these online or offline by joining Codeasalai’s Data Science Course.
What About the Salary?
In India:
- Entry-level Data Analyst: ₹4–6 lakhs per year
- Mid-level Data Scientist: ₹10–20 lakhs per year
- Senior roles: ₹25–50 lakhs or more
In the US:
Average salary of a Data Scientist: $124,000 per year (Glassdoor, 2024). These numbers are rising because companies need people who understand data.
The Other Side of Data Science
Just like any other job, you'll feel confused at the beginning, as there's so much to learn, and that's normal. Getting your first job might take time. Many job ads ask for 2+ years of experience, even for beginner roles. So do small projects to build your portfolio.
It's not all about AI; most of your work will be cleaning data or making reports. If you can't explain your work clearly to non-tech people, it'll be hard to grow in your career. That's why you should always keep learning.
Final Thoughts
'In God we trust, All others must bring data.' Yes, you read that right. Data science is more than just a most in-demand job with high salaries; it's a skill that helps businesses, governments, and even social causes. But it takes time and practice to become good at it. So don’t ask, 'Can I become a data scientist?' Instead, ask: 'Can I take the first step today and keep going bit by bit?' You will reach the place you've always wanted to be.
