There is more to becoming a data scientist than what meets the
eye. The turbulent times the world is witnessing has resulted in a surge in the
demand for data science professionals. The students, aspirants, professionals
from different fields have shown keen interest in making the most of the
situation. However, a great cloud of confusion clouds the field of data science
and analytics. A lot rides on the performance of the data professionals and the
employers are often as much at a loss about how to approach things as the data
analysts themselves.
While the stakes rise and the demand increases, there are few
who are actually making a real impact. This is what necessitates the
involvement of more practised hands, people who have waded through the shallow
waters of indecision and confusion; made their share of mistakes; and emerged
triumphant. The mentors can play an incredibly significant role in helping the
data science industry mature and the professionals solidify their footing.
Who are these mentors?
Ideally mentors are professionals who have been a part of the
industry for quite some time, enough to have built networks and earned the
expert status. These are practically generous people who find time in their
highly valued time to help out youngsters for a very small fraction of the
money they could have made with that time by providing consultation to
corporate bodies.
How can they help you?
As a data science professional you will have to solve a lot of
problems. The first one that you have to tackle even before you start is
finding your way through the clutter of information and misinformation, worthy
material and wordy junk, free boot camps and expensive courses. You are
choosing an outright technical career which is nothing like anything else; it
is a given that you will have to make some monetary investments and invest a
fair amount of time. Then again you might find it difficult to translate your
technical skills into problem solving apparatus. The mentor will help you in
each of these steps. A mentor helps you find the right material; enrol for the
right course; choose the right subject. They are the pathfinders.
What are the most desirable qualities in a mentor?
A lot of people can be good at data science. All of them may
know the right tools and the correct procedure of going about things but only a
few of them can be good mentors. Each aspirant requires something different
from the mentor. A good mentor understands each of the aspirants and tries to
provide personalized care to each. This personalization is probably the most
important feature of a mentor’s guidance. Learning
data analytics in Malaysia would have been much harder had it not been for
the mentors. For a country that depends so much on data analytics, mentors play
an essential role.
Where to find a mentor?
Your workplace may assign you with one ifr you are lucky. If
not, you can look for a mentor in forums or on linkedin. If that does not work
either, do not worry. There are certain data science institutes in Malaysia
which provide you with mentoring along with technical training. You should be
good to go.
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