Data Scientist - Career Guide

The core mission of a data scientist is to transform data into valuable insights that drive business performance and innovation. To achieve this, they:

1. Collect and analyze raw data : they gather and process data from multiple sources, such as customer databases, sales records, or online activity, and ensure the information is accurate, clean, and structured for analysis.
2. Transform data into readable results : once analyzed, they present their findings clearly in dashboards, reports, or visualisations that make complex insights accessible to decision-makers.
3. Develop learning algorithms : they design and implement machine learning and deep learning models that identify patterns, automate processes, and predict future trends.

Overall, data scientists bridge the gap between technology and strategy, turning information into intelligent business action.

Data scientists work in almost every sector today from finance and healthcare to retail, energy, and technology. The exponential growth of data has made their role indispensable in shaping company strategy.

They usually work within data or IT departments and collaborate closely with data analysts and business managers. Their position often depends on the company structure: in smaller organisations they handle end-to-end data projects, while in larger firms they focus on specialised areas like predictive modelling or artificial intelligence.

Within organisations, they report to Chief Data Officers, CTOs, or digital strategy departments, ensuring that their analyses directly support decision-making and innovation.

To become a data scientist, you must have a four- or five-year degree in computer science, data science, statistics or marketing. Generally, experience as a data analyst is recommended to qualify for a position as a data scientist.

Start with a three-year degree

After completing their baccalaureate, students can choose to pursue a BUT, a licentiate or a bachelor’s degree, including:

• BUT in computer science
• Licentiate in statistics
• Licentiate in data science

There are also courses that are highly valued by recruiters, such as the bachelor’s degree in data analysis from ISC Paris. This program, which is recognised in France and internationally, trains students for careers as data analysts and then data scientists, with a strong focus on professional skills.

The course is available on a work-study basis, allowing students to benefit from professional immersion, familiarise themselves with the daily life of a data scientist and facilitate their integration into working life.

Accessing employment with a five-year degree

It is then possible to complete your training with a number of different courses:

• Specialised degree in statistics or computer science
• Master’s degree in big data
• Master’s degree in innovation and technology management
• Master’s degree in MIAGE (Computer Methods Applied to Business Management)
• Master’s degree in applied mathematics

The lead data scientist heads up the scientific team responsible for managing a company’s data. Their main tasks are planning data projects, continuously improving predictive models, and managing experts (data analysts, data scientists, engineers, big data specialists, etc.).

Data scientists can also move into a more general role by becoming an IT project manager. They then take responsibility for digital projects as a whole, from development to execution and monitoring.

Often abbreviated to ‘CDO’, this management position is responsible for all data within an organisation. They coordinate the management of the entire data chain and update the architecture of IT systems for ever-increasing performance.