Luke Skywalker won't be a Jedi Master without Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, and Prince Zuko won't be redeemed without the help of his Uncle Iroh. It's for this reason that having a mentor is crucial. In the realm of Data Science, mentors are essential because the subject matter is often hard to understand.
A mentor is an experienced professional who has already been through the trials and tribulations of being a data scientist. They are not only able to share their own experiences and give advice on how to succeed in the field, but they can also help you avoid common mistakes that inexperienced professionals make. The more time you spend learning, the less time you have for doing actual work.
This article will shed light on Data Science mentors and why they matter. Read on below to get started.
What is Data Science?
Data science is a concept that is all the rage these days. Conversely, it can also be a vague term. In essence, data science is the application of statistical and computer science techniques to extract meaning from data and convert the results into useful information.
Data science is a relatively new concept, as most people only began to recognize it as an occupation less than 10 years ago. There is still no standard curriculum for learning data science, so each student has to find their way through the maze of tools, languages, and programming paradigms. Since there are so many options available, students can learn irrelevant skills.
For example, in the early days of data science, the programming language of choice was R. But since R is somewhat unpopular and difficult to use, newer languages like Python, SAS, and others have gained popularity. These new languages have made it easier for newcomers to learn to become data scientists. Unfortunately, learning irrelevant skills is also possible if you understand these new languages. This is where Data Science mentors come into play.
What Is a Data Science Mentor?
Data Science mentors are experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge with others. They can explain the intricacies of the profession with ease because they already know how things work. This is essential because it helps people avoid common pitfalls easily with advice and knowledge.
Most mentors can explain concepts in understandable ways to students that are just starting. They know the best methods for explaining complex ideas so that students can understand. In addition to this, they can share helpful resources that can accelerate the learning process.
Data Science Mentor Qualities
A good Data Science mentor should have several qualities. The first and most important of these is patience. Even experienced professionals have difficulty learning data science, so mentors need to exhibit patience when helping newcomers. Having patience means you can go more in-depth when explaining concepts to students, rather than having to oversimplify everything.
Another important quality of a good Data Science mentor is their willingness to share. Many professors are willing to share their knowledge, but not all of them share their code. Knowing how to share code is just as important as finding and using relevant code.
Data Science mentors should also demonstrate the same morals and principles they expect from their students. This means they should never take credit for the work of others. It's a good idea for mentors to remind their students to credit other people constantly.
Finding the Right Data Science Mentor
Now that we've looked at the qualities that make an excellent Data Science mentor, we should explore ways to find one. Here are some:
Professors
Many universities have courses in data science. These courses often include hands-on projects and valuable resources. Professors are often willing to help students who are struggling with the coursework. This is why many students often have outstanding experiences with professors.
Data Science Meetups
Data science is a relatively new field. As a result, it's growing faster than many other fields. Many data science meetups are growing faster, which means there are more opportunities than ever to learn from Data Science mentors. The only problem is that there are so many meetups that it can be hard to know where to start. You can avoid this problem by joining a directory like meetup.com because good directories make it easy for you to find relevant meetups.
Online
Online mentors have several advantages over in-person mentors. The first advantage is that they can work with students worldwide. And since most online mentors have written books or blog posts, it's pretty easy to find them. Some of these online mentors are so well known that they're even invited to speak at conferences.
The Wrap Up
The world of Data Science can be intimidating. It's hard to know where to start, and it's easy to get confused. If you're just getting started, it's a good idea to have a mentor. If you have a mentor, it's easier to avoid those common pitfalls found throughout the world of data science.
A hackathon event is also an excellent place to look for data science mentors because it’s where tech-savvy people are often found. If you’re looking for hackathon events, Hackathon.com has got your back! Our events are full of experienced computer professionals who can give you the mentorship you need to advance your knowledge. Check our event listings to find one to join today!
