Anyone here at HN consider themselves to be a Data Scientist (or alternatively, Data Analyst, Competitive Intelligence, etc)? Would you mind sharing a bit about your job, your day-to-day work, what skills are absolutely required? Do you work 9-5 or as a freelance contractor? Is it possible to break into the field without a specific degree?
I'm a molecular/cellular biologist that is wanting to leave the field. I think data science looks interesting for a number of reasons. I have past experience programming a number of languages and work with large data sets on occasion due to my current day-job. One of my hobby projects involved data-mining Medline. I have cursory knowledge of statistics (Ttest, anova, correlations and linear regressions, etc) but no advanced skills yet. Essentially, I think I have the foundation skills required for the job but no marketable experience.
Is it possible to re-define yourself as a data scientist? I know in programming, you just need to code up a few side projects to demonstrate your aptitude. Is the same possible in data science?
I'm a molecular/cellular biologist that is wanting to leave the field. I think data science looks interesting for a number of reasons. I have past experience programming a number of languages and work with large data sets on occasion due to my current day-job. One of my hobby projects involved data-mining Medline. I have cursory knowledge of statistics (Ttest, anova, correlations and linear regressions, etc) but no advanced skills yet. Essentially, I think I have the foundation skills required for the job but no marketable experience.
Is it possible to re-define yourself as a data scientist? I know in programming, you just need to code up a few side projects to demonstrate your aptitude. Is the same possible in data science?