Builds models and analyses that turn data into predictions and decisions.
Entry
Intermediate
Coding
High
Key skills
Common progression
- Senior Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Senior Data Scientist
- AI Engineer
- Senior AI Engineer
Career overview
The Data Scientist combines statistics, programming and business sense to extract value from data: exploratory analysis, feature engineering, machine learning models, experimentation and communication of results. They sit between data engineering and the business. The role leads to Senior Data Scientist, AI Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer positions.
Main responsibilities
- Build and train machine learning models
- Prepare and curate training datasets
- Build and serve ML features
- Train, fine-tune and evaluate models
- Create data visualisations and stories
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Analyse application logs to identify root causes
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
- Automate recurring tasks with scripts
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Less common
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- Google Professional Data Scientist
- Microsoft DP-100 Data Scientist
- AWS Machine Learning Specialty
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 61% · Difficulty: Easy
Skills to learn: Causal inference, Mentoring, Model deployment
View roadmapOverlap: 26% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Model deployment, MLOps, PyTorch / TensorFlow
View roadmapOverlap: 38% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: AI / LLM integration, API design, Model serving
View roadmapOverlap: 12% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: AI product strategy, Roadmapping, AI/ML literacy
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
- Senior Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Senior Data Scientist
- AI Engineer
- Senior AI Engineer
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking
- Technical curiosity
- Clear communication
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Sense of ownership
Common previous careers
Roles that frequently lead into this career.
Overlap: 48% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Statistics & probability, Machine learning, SQL
View roadmapContinue your career exploration
Keep moving: compare roles, follow a roadmap, read a guide or prepare for an interview.
Ready to explore your next step?
A documented transition from this role to the next.
Data ScientistSenior Data Scientist
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