Is Data Science Still Sexy?

Embrace the challenges and opportunities brought by GenAI

Author

Roxanne Li
October 13, 2023

Hi! 👋 I am Roxanne, an Ex-IBM Data Scientist and a Coursera Instructor of Machine Learning. Subscribe to my newsletter “Is Data Science Still Sexy” and join the 1000+ readers today!

10 years ago, those who blended the worlds of Statistics and Computation were given the glamorous title, “Data Scientist”. As the era of “Big Data” buzzes, more and more people redirect their career paths and march into the Data Science industry. By 2019, postings for Data Scientists on Indeed had risen by 256%. The median salary for an experienced Data Scientist in California is approaching $200,000.

However, the arrival of GenAI and the rapid evolution of ChatGPT seemed to have caused a little turmoil in Data Scientist’s career prospects. We saw tools like AutoML that can automate the tasks of building Machine Learning models to solve real-world problems. Even the experienced Data Scientists couldn’t help but start wondering, “Are our skills still sexy?” and “What can we do to protect our Data Science career and make us less easily replaceable by tools like AutoML?”

Remember 10 years ago when Havard Business Review published the article “Data Scientist: Sexiest Job of the 21st Century”? Here is what they say 10 years later:

Is Data Scientist Still the Sexiest Job of the 21st Century?

Ten years ago, the authors posited that being a data scientist was the “sexiest job of the 21st century.” A decade later, does the claim stand up?

hbr.org/2022/07/is-data-scientist-still-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century

My fellow Data Scientists, let’s face it! Questions like these have already arisen. The quest for finding out the challenges and opportunities in Data Science is not just worth it but essential as the true power of AI unfolds. It’s time to stay informed as we navigate this dynamic landscape. Therefore, I decided to create a newsletter named “Is Data Science Still Sexy”, where I will consistently share with you:

🎒 For Data Science students and beginners: How can I build a strong foundation in Data Science and gain practical experience to kickstart my career in this exciting field?

🏆️ For experienced Data Scientists: What strategies and resources can help me stay at the forefront of Data Science and continue to be a valuable asset in the era of GenAI and automation?

🧩 For Data Science Managers: How can I effectively lead and inspire my Data Science team to adapt to the evolving AI landscape?

🚀 For Startups and companies exploring Data Science: How do we choose between Data Science and AI and effectively integrate them into our business operations and decision-making processes?

Click here to subscribe to my newsletter “Is Data Science Still Sexy” and join the 1000+ readers. Let’s embrace the challenges and opportunities brought by GenAI together! 💫