We don't need data scientists, we need data engineers

Re:We don't need data scientists, we need data engineers by oivey on Thursday January 14, 2021 @01:38PM (#25780274)

Yep. The key is really software skills. If you’re unable to even filter the data yourself, you’re also probably unlikely to be able do implement novel analysis techniques, especially if the analysis algorithm has many complicated steps or is computationally expensive.

In all fairness, it’s basically impossible for a new grad to have those skills. 4 years of a bachelors in any field isn’t enough to cover such a wide area. Even for people with graduate degrees it’s a stretch.

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Re:We don't need data scientists, we need data engineers by jimbokun on Thursday January 14, 2021 @01:45PM (#25780387)

The hope is that the 4 year degree gave you the ability to quickly pick up those skills on your own.

If your four year degree didn't give you the ability to learn and expand your knowledge on your own, its a colossal waste of your time and money.

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Re:We don't need data scientists, we need data engineers by oivey on Thursday January 14, 2021 @02:29PM (#25781118)

Sure, but depending on what you’re doing, “quick” might be years. You can get a PhD in understanding the theory, a PhD in designing fast numerical algorithms, or spend many years becoming a strong software engineer. I think the willingness to learn a diverse set of things is much more important than learning narrow areas fast. The short length of a bachelors usually isn’t enough to get this diversity.

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