How To Become a Director of Data Science
Gaining credentials and experience in data science through college degree programs, certifications, bootcamps, and entry-level roles is how to become a successful director of data science.
Land a job as a director of data science by earning the appropriate credentials and gaining work experience as a data analyst, data engineer, or business analyst. A bachelor's or master's degree in data science or a similar field is the educational requirement for a data science director.
Becoming a data science director requires individuals to examine their interests and professional goals, earn a degree at an accredited university, and gain hands-on experience.
How To Become a Director of Data Science
Requirements for becoming a director of data science include earning a college degree and gaining work experience. Employers may also require a director of data science to have one or more certifications for data science.
Find the Right School
Find an accredited institution that offers a bachelor's degree program in data science that covers the fundamentals of data science, machine learning, predictive modeling, and more. The right school will support your personal interests, professional goals, and financial situation.
Find out the features your desired program offers such as mentoring services, tutoring, and internship opportunities to enhance your learning experience. Lots of schools offer online degree programs to provide working professionals with the flexibility they need for other obligations.
Earn an Undergraduate Degree
A Bachelor of Science in data science degree or an undergraduate degree in areas of study such as business administration or artificial intelligence prepares students for a career in data science. Examples of college courses for data science include:
- big data analytics
- Python and SQL
- math modeling
Undergraduate degrees that provide a strong introduction to machine learning, data analytics, and algorithms are appropriate for students on a career path to become a director of data science.
Gain Experience Working in Data Science
Gain experience working in data science on a data science team. Learn if your college program offers internship experiences and find an entry-level position after graduating with an undergraduate degree.
Hands-on experiences in data science are also available through data science bootcamps. Accredited institutions and other private organizations design data science bootcamps to accelerate careers and help data science professionals make positive business impacts.
Consider an Advanced Degree
Earning a graduate degree increases your knowledge and skills and strengthens your resume for employment. Employers seeking data science directors highly consider candidates with a graduate degree.
How To Decide Whether Becoming a Director of Data Science Is Right for You
Evaluate your career goals, consider your passions, and speak to data science professionals to help determine if becoming a director of data science is right for you.
Evaluate Your Career Goals
A director of data science should have a strong background in data science, business intelligence, product management, or project management. Your career path should focus on positions that apply metrics and methodologies to create solutions.
Consider Your Skillset and Passions
If you have a passion for organizing data and exploring statistical theory and data technologies as well as leading and supporting projects, a data science director career may be right for you. Prospective data science directors should have basic skills in Microsoft software such as excel.
Speak to a Data Science Professional
Speak to a data science professional about the pros and cons of leading in data science. Talk with data science professionals through internships, conferences, bootcamps, and other networking opportunities.
What Is a Director of Data Science?
A director of data science is a data science manager or project manager of data science projects who has years of experience in data mining, data modeling, and using data visualization tools. They have the responsibility of making recommendations to stakeholders based on insights from data.
Responsibilities of a Director of Data Science
Directors of data science provide direction to a team of data scientists through project planning efforts and determining the tools and methodologies to use. Responsibilities of a data science director may include:
- budget and staff planning
- developing algorithms and analyzing datasets
- mentoring and leading
- recommending solutions for business success
Skills Required of a Director of Data Science
A director of data science requires technical skills in areas such as data analysis, algorithms, and programming languages and soft skills in problem-solving and decision-making. Leadership skills, communication skills, and analytical skills are also important for a director of data science.
FAQs About Directors of Data Science
Learn more about becoming a data science director in the FAQs below.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Director of Data Science?
It takes about two to five years to earn the credentials for becoming a data science director. Depending on factors like an individual's educational background, degree program learning format, and academic behaviors.
How long it takes to become a director of data science also depends on how long it takes to find employment. Enhancing your degree with a certification for data science may increase employment opportunities.
Can You Become a Director of Data Science Completely Online?
You can earn the credentials to become a director of data science completely online though an accredited university that offers an online bachelor's degree program in data science or a related field such as data analytics or computer science.
What Are Popular Career Path Alternatives for Directors of Data Science?
Directors of data science have alternate career choices with the knowledge and skills they possess. The following occupations are the most popular career path alternatives for data science directors:
Is It Necessary for a Director of Data Science To Hold a Certification?
It is not a requirement for a director of data science to hold a certification. However, a certification is necessary for some director of data science positions. Examples of certifications for a data science director include:
- senior data scientist certification
- open certified data scientist certification
- IBM data science professional certificate