The Role of a Data Scientist

In this professional destination video, Nicolás García Moni, a senior data science consultant at Accenture, provides insights into the world of data science. He discusses his role, the projects he works on, the necessary skills for a career in data science, and average salaries in the field.

Job Description

García Moni's work as a data science consultant at Accenture involves developing code and statistical and mathematical models to solve business problems. His job can be divided into two main components. The first involves the development of code in Python to obtain, clean, and prepare data for machine learning models. The second component focuses on the business side of consulting, which includes meeting with clients, understanding their pain points, and co-creating solutions with them.

Projects

García Moni shares examples of the types of projects he works on, such as analyzing conversations between agents and clients for an ecommerce company to predict the quality of the interaction. He also mentions working on projects to improve supply chain management by using time series models to predict future sales of products, allowing companies to better organize their inventory.

Skills Required

While proficiency in mathematics and English is important, García Moni emphasizes that one does not need to excel in mathematics. He mentions the need for a basic knowledge of topics such as derivatives, integrals, linear algebra, and statistics. Similarly, a strong command of English is necessary due to the prevalence of English-language resources and the need to communicate with global clients.

Programming Languages

The most used programming languages in data science, according to García Moni, are SQL for database queries and Python for data cleaning and machine learning models.

Collaboration

In his day-to-day work, García Moni collaborates with diverse profiles, including data engineers, machine learning engineers, managers, and design and UX professionals. These collaborations are essential for managing projects, developing robust solutions, and creating user-friendly applications.

Salary

The average salary for a junior data scientist is approximately 220,000 to 1,240,000 gross pesos, as of February 2023. However, with experience and the possibility of working remotely, salaries can increase significantly, with some individuals earning between $1,300 and $5,000 per month in dollars.

Job Satisfaction and Advice

García Moni highlights the most satisfying aspect of his work as the process of programming and solving challenging problems. He also values the opportunity to work with talented and like-minded individuals. On the other hand, he expresses his dislike for the high number of meetings involved in larger projects.

Lastly, García Moni offers advice to individuals interested in pursuing a career in data science. He encourages them to persevere, develop their skills, and find their unique value proposition, especially if they come from a non-traditional background like business.

Conclusion

Nicolás García Moni's insights provide a comprehensive overview of the role of a data scientist, the skills required, the types of projects they work on, and the potential for career growth in the field. As data science continues to be a sought-after profession, his advice and experiences serve as valuable guidance for those considering a career in this dynamic and rewarding field.