With all of the automated tools and software on the market for data analysis, it’s easy to think that the technology of tomorrow will indeed have our data science needs covered. However, with new data science capabilities come new opportunities for future professionals seeking careers in the data field. As companies scramble to incorporate the latest, most high-tech data processing methods for their businesses, more knowledgeable workers are necessary to create this software and implement its findings in constructive ways.
Future data teams will require the utilization of many careers and skills based on the ongoing trends in data science. Read on to discover how the data landscape is expected to develop in the upcoming years and how current and future data team members can prepare themselves.
Jump to:
- Data landscape trends and future outlooks
- Professional opportunities in the data field
- How current professionals can contribute to the future of data
- Major takeaways for data trends in 2022
Data landscape trends and future outlooks
Based on the current data landscape, we can predict future trends through business forecasting. We know that data has become a valued resource for companies, and according to an Executives Survey on Fortune 1000 companies by New Vantage, 97.2% of the organizations participating in the study have invested in big data and artificial intelligence. Through data, businesses and organizations can gain valuable insights about their operations and what decisions they should make to benefit their future outcomes.
From looking at these current trends in organizational and business data use, several conclusions about the future of the data landscape can be drawn. For example, cloud-based software is gaining popularity, and thus it is expected that company data operations will require increased reliance on cloud-to-cloud migration. According to research from Gartner, global cloud services spending is expected to reach over $482 billion in 2022. Furthermore, with the rise in popularity of cloud services, data use, and convenient capabilities come more dedication toward the development of faster data processing. Therefore we can conclude that more data services and solutions will be able to provide real-time data analytics and insights to their users.
So what will this mean in terms of data use for businesses and organizations? Well, another rising trend that is expected to increase in popularity is “small” data analytics, which can allow organizations to gain insights from smaller data sets and analyze the data that may otherwise be missed. These data analysis practices are likely to allow businesses to derive insights that will help them provide improved experiences for their customers and better customer relations. Additionally, workforce and organizational teams will be affected by these changes as well, as the increased reliance on data-driven information will likely require a greater need for data professionals.
Professional opportunities in the data field
As organizational teams evolve to keep up with the increase in data reliance, specific jobs and skills will become more necessary in the future. Tomorrow’s data teams will need to acquire members with relevant experience in data processing. Some examples of relevant roles are:
Data Analyst
Data Analysts with training on extracting, visualizing, and processing data for gaining valuable insights will become increasingly necessary in the data-driven landscape of the future. These individuals can be responsible for data analysis, database development and maintenance, creating data reports and recommendations, and working alongside other team members to ensure proper usage of the information derived.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists are tasked with processing data for businesses and organizations. Using their training on data science methods, they can improve data collection processes, analyze data collections, and clean and process data information. This role may be necessary for organizations that derive data from automated software collection.
Cloud Architect
More cloud-based tools and operations will likely require more organizations to hire Cloud Architects. These professionals are familiar with cloud applications, automation, and programming languages. Security skills for cloud services and IT engineering knowledge are also a plus.
Data Engineers
These professionals should have a deep understanding of data management systems and their designs and functionality. This can enable them to not only configure systems to align with the organization’s goals, but also gain important insights from data and patterns for forecasting and decision making.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers can support organizations and businesses with their machine learning frameworks and systems knowledge. In addition to understanding machine learning algorithms, they should be able to configure and develop applications and data tools based on the needs of their organization.
Database Administrator
These individuals maintain the proper functioning of the organizational database and manage the storage of its software. As reliance on data increases, so will the need for data storage capabilities and database administration and management.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts can look at data and analyze it to determine its value for gaining insight on business process improvement. Additionally, these professionals generally have more of a knack for improving organizational processes and developing solutions to organizational problems based on data derived from data technology and software. They also can be helpful with using data for business forecasting, budgeting, and pricing analysis.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for creating, designing, and implementing software solutions for organizations. In order to succeed in this role, these professionals should be skilled in coding and be able to develop software that will allow their workforce to derive useful data information.
How current professionals can contribute to the future of data
While data teams can gain new staff members, the rest of the workforce will still need to adjust to the changes regarding workplace technology and data processes. Therefore, existing organizational members in IT, DevOps, HR, and other related departments can focus on gaining skills and training that will enable them to better support the data team.
All members of the business or organizational team that use integrated workforce software should maintain an up-to-date comprehension of the workings of these tools. Integrated software systems often affect multiple facets of the team’s operations. A lack of awareness of their functionality can have detrimental effects on productivity if they are misused. Training on software implementation and updates is vital for smooth processes, and teams should always be updated on changes in data practices within the organization to facilitate proper understanding and use of related tools.
Similarly, app and data maintenance should be upheld, and data storage capabilities should be monitored to ensure proper use. Upholding these tools properly can prevent issues from arising due to outdated, faulty software, and data storage should be able to support the amount of data derived from business processes. Insufficient data storage can cause data to be incorrectly supplied outside of designated areas, which can lead to security breaches. Data should always be stored in secure locations, and members of the organization should regularly be reminded and trained on proper security measures for organizational processes.
Existing IT members should be educated on Infrastructure as a Code, and effectively manage underlying infrastructure and resources as software defined infrastructure. As cloud computing becomes more popular with software solutions, this movement is expected to gain relevancy. Using and properly understanding machine-readable configuration files may become necessary for IT staff members to resolve technical issues with the workplace software of tomorrow.
Leadership members can benefit from having a basic comprehension of how decisions are made from the data and insight derived from intelligence platforms. Professional leaders and decision-makers should complete training within the organization to ensure their understanding and proper utilization of these insights. After all, data provides nothing to those who don’t know how to implement it within their planning and decisions.
Major takeaways for data hiring trends in 2022
Data is expected to allow organizations and businesses to gain beneficial insights to help improve their processes and reach their goals. There are always steps that companies and individuals can take to prepare themselves and their teams for the future, and these steps can be determined through data and trends. Therefore, by analyzing the current data of trends in the business world, we can conclude ways to prepare for data’s impact on operations in the future.
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