Ask HN: Pivot from 'data science' to X?

Posted by movetoX on Thursday August 21, 2014 @09:44AM
from the ask-hn dept.

You always hear from engineers wanting to break into 'data science'. Well, I'm a data scientist trying to break out!

I'm an embedded analyst in a small organization doing bigger-than-Excel-can-handle work (think: Python, R, SQL, UNIX utils, data viz, etc.), and I am disillusioned. At the end of the day, I'm just an in-house data janitor, supporting the people who make the real decisions. I want a job where I have 1. a role relating directly to the company's core business, 2. access to mentors and promotion opportunities, and 3. the opportunity to make sales or products, not just charts and tables. I know this may mean downgrading data hacking from 'love of my life' to 'secondary skill set supporting my main work', but I'm ready to pick up new skills and make the change.

Has anyone pivoted from embedded data analysis to a different career? What was it like? Am I correct in feeling like there's a ceiling to where data crunchers can go in many organizations, or is that just my particular job? What new careers might I look into?

Re:Ask HN: Pivot from 'data science' to X? by kiyoto on Thursday August 21, 2014 @12:26PM (#8208146)

I totally hear you. As a quantitative analyst, I did something similar for years (I personally cherish the experience. I became very good at hacking together stuff fast =p).

Would you be interested in leveraging your skills AND learning about distributed systems and databases in a highly concurrent setting? If so, drop me a line (my email is on my profile).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Pivot from 'data science' to X? by stumpyfr on Thursday August 21, 2014 @10:01AM (#8207344)

Your skills are really needed on the market, maybe try to do some consulting? Still around your knowledges but will allow you to explore many different stuff!