Data Science jobs are some of the best-paid jobs across all the major industries.

There is a shortfall of the highly skilled individuals needed to fill big data analytics jobs in Ireland, and organisations are scrambling over each other to recruit emerging and experienced talent. An organisation cannot hire an individual as a data scientist unless they have a certain skill set and academic or industry experience. And, this is what makes the broad arena of data science highly competitive.

But that said, a data scientist can emerge from just about any field in the industry. Most data scientists will tell you that it’s misleading to describe big data in terms of a set of technologies or programming languages that can be mastered. The common theme that runs through all data science careers is the need for data-savvy individuals who can draw insights and answer complex business questions from the vast amounts of data being collected in today’s modern organisation.

So, you like the sound of data science as a career. Well, below are some steps you can take to increase your chances of landing a job in one of the most lucrative, interesting and hyper-growth areas the world has seen.

Statistics:

There are three types of lies – “lies, damn lies, and statistics.” Most people have an opinion when it comes to statistics. Some love them, some hate them, but when it comes to data science everyone needs at least some formal training in statistical analysis. Degrees with some statistical component are highly valued, such as science or mathematics. So, if you have a knack for math or science, why not look at studying pure maths or stats or computer science or psychology in your undergraduate degree.

Psychology undergraduates are some of the most prized candidates for data science, due to their strong combination of statistical knowledge and interpersonal skills. A data scientist must integrate with a lot of different departments and must communicate information to important decision makers and c-level executives. They must make the data tell a story and answer vitally important questions that can result in a positive shift to a organisations bottom line.

 Don’t stop at an Undergraduate, get a Masters or a PhD:

This isn’t a cheap option but will put you ahead in the Data Science job market. Enrolment in Data Science / Data Analytics courses are doubling every year around the world, and graduates of these programmes are sometimes being offered multiple jobs upon graduation. However, beware, and make sure that you are not signing up for a course that is not reputable. Try and stick to the major Irish universities and the Institutes and Technology. They offer masters that are thought by industry leaders and if you feel you have a PhD in you then these universities and IT’s can provide you with a pathway of study, so you can replace your Mr. Mrs. or Miss with Dr.

Kaggle, Network and Get Help:

If you want to be a data scientist or a machine learning expert, you must be on Kaggle.com – look at the User Ranking – Gilberto Titericz Junior is number one. That means that he is the number one Data Scientist in the world. He was snapped up by Airbnb. Do not underestimate the power of Kaggle.com

Network. Get yourself on MeetUp.com and join all the data science and machine learning and AI meetups you can get to. You never know, a fellow Data Scientist you meet here could be the hiring manager for the very company you want to work for.

Get Help: Here at Camden we specialise in all thing technology and data science. If you are coming out of college and want land your first data science job, or if you are an experienced data expert who is looking for a new challenge pick up the phone and give us a call.

 

Whilst middle office is widely accepted to be the function of investment banking or funds management that manages the link between front and back there is divided opinion as to its place in overall operations. Is it more closely aligned with front or back? And what is its main purpose? It is a grey area with constantly changing boundaries.

If you look at more mature “front office” markets such as London, New York & Hong Kong, it is commonly accepted that risk management and technology forms part of the overall middle office function. In Ireland, Middle Office can generally be considered an oversight or support function to these “front office” markets. The key  functions include Investment Operations, Trade Support & Processing, Settlements & Treasury Operations and work across Derivatives, Futures & Options, Equities, Fixed Income and FX.

There is a common trend for investment managers to outsource operations and risk functions to third-party providers and focus on revenue-generating activities. On the back of this, fund service providers have increased their middle office product offering and have been successful in developing fund oversight, risk, regulatory and client reporting products to investment managers. This has provided excellent opportunities for people with strong skills in middle office, funds, risk and client management along with excellent exposure to asset classes such as Derivatives, Equities and Fixed Income.

This area will continue to expand and with the integration and advancement of technology and data-driven activity, we will see quite a varying degree of middle office functions move from those more traditional jobs to more technology driven jobs.

If you are a middle office or funds professional looking for new and exciting opportunities within please get in touch for a confidential discussion on 01 539 0610 or email stephen@camden.ie.