What are data scientists?
“We’re not looking for the overly complex analyses of a data scientist; we just need someone who can simply deliver us clear insights that help us understand our business better”. It was the comment I received recently when pitching for a position at a large company that was in search of a data-driven marketer. The statement caught my attention, as it conflicted with my personal perception of a data scientist. Up until that point, I had always associated the term ‘data science’ with one’s ability to turn raw data into valuable business insights. So I asked myself: isn’t helping companies understand their business thoroughly the exact function of a data scientist? Clearly, not all managers seem to think so.