According to GlassDoor, Data Scientists have the best work-life balance of all professions. Go us! And with thousands of Data Science positions out there in dozens of fields, it’s no wonder that we’re a growing group.
“What makes being a Data Scientist so great?”, you might ask. Well, lots of things. Here are the top 5 reasons why I love my job as a Data Scientist.
- In demand. A few years ago, “Data Scientist” was a silly title – right up there with “Coding Swami” and “SQL Ninja”. There are now hundreds of companies hiring with this title. I’ve had clients immediately take an interest in my business card because of my title. It’s a badge of honor (and nerdiness) to be a Data Scientist and it’s something with a clear need in the marketplace. You can be reasonably assured of a position almost anywhere near a city with a Data Scientist title.
- Good pay. It’s no coincidence that the #1 job on GlassDoor’s list is also the top paid on it. Earning a good wage means that you can afford to take some extra time off. It’s also often an indication of the value placed on your skills by your employer and, hopefully, their desire to keep you happy and healthy. A six-figure salary is by-no-means guaranteed, but it is easily achievable with a bit of experience and acumen.
- Flexible hours. What Data Scientists do takes time, but there’s also a lot of monitoring and waiting and thinking. Those don’t have to be done from 9 to 5. In fact, my favorite/most productive time to work is often between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. As long as your employer sees updates and results, chances are they’re not hounding you about the fact that you arrived at 9:15 instead of 8:30. This does depend on corporate culture – its’s not universal – but it’s more probable.
- Dynamic challenges. Data Scientists get thrown all manner of complex problems to solve all the time. There is a never-ending stream of stuff people want to explore and know more about. This brings us in contact with more kinds of data, types of questions, and strategies for analysis than most people see in their careers. For those who are problem solvers (which I highly recommend being if you’re thinking about Data Science), this is key to surviving and loving your work.
- Remote work. Again, this is not universal, but working remotely is pretty common amongst Data Scientists. Maybe not working remotely all the time, but at least having options. I am currently working and writing this post from my couch while still in my pajamas at nearly 1 p.m. That’s one of the best (and most sited) things that I love about my job.
What do you love about Data Science? Are you looking for insight about other aspects of the role before entering into a career in this field? Comment below.