A Beginner’s Guide to Big Data and Building a Career in it

“In God we trust, all others must bring data.”

The infamous W. Edwards Deming phrase is quite the guiding principle for a majority of enterprises today.

Everyone’s talking about it and we are sure you have heard of this term too. Yes, we know Big Data is a buzzword you have likely heard before, but what exactly is it and how can you build a career in this field? 

At its most basic level, Big Data refers to massive amounts of structured and unstructured data that businesses, organisations, and governments generate on a daily basis. This data can come from a variety of sources, such as social media, transactions, sensor data, and more. 

As more businesses consume Big Data to obtain insights into their operations and make data-driven choices, it has grown in significance in today’s business world. If this is something that fascinates you and if you’re interested in building a career in Big Data, there are a few things you should know.

In this beginner’s guide to Big Data, we’ll cover the basics of it, how it’s used, and how to get started in a career in this field.

What Really is Big Data?

Since it continues to be the inspiration for numerous waves of ongoing digital change, such as artificial intelligence, data science, and the Internet of Things, the idea of “big data” is constantly changing and being reexamined.

As the name suggests, big data refers to datasets that are too large and complex to be processed and analysed using traditional data processing tools. These datasets often come from various sources, including web blogs, social media, sensors, and more.

The vast amount of data generated by these sources can be overwhelming, but it also contains valuable insights that can help businesses make better decisions and improve their operations.

Big data is often characterised by the three “Vs”: volume, velocity, and variety. These terms can sound a little too scientific, but it’s pretty basic. 

• Volume refers to the sheer size of the data, which can be measured in petabytes or exabytes. 
• Velocity refers to the speed at which the data is generated and needs to be processed. 
• Variety refers to the different types of data that are being collected, such as structured data (data that fits into a predefined format, like a spreadsheet), unstructured data (data that doesn’t fit into a predefined format, like a text from social media posts), and semi-structured data (data that falls somewhere in between, like XML files).

So, How is Big Data Used?

Big data technologies are useful since processing and analysing such a large amount of data can be challenging using traditional techniques. In order to obtain insights and improve their judgements, these technologies enable organisations to store, process and analyse vast amounts of data. Big data is used by businesses to gain insights into their operations and make data-driven decisions. 

For example, a retailer might use big data to analyse customer purchase data and identify trends and patterns, which can be used to improve marketing efforts and optimise inventory management. A healthcare organisation might use big data to analyse patient data and identify trends and patterns that can be used to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

Big data is also used in a variety of industries, including finance, insurance, and government systems. In these industries, big data is used to identify trends, improve operations, and make better decisions. Now that you know what big data is, let’s see what a career in this field would look like! 

A career in big data can be incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to work with cutting-edge technologies and solve complex problems for some of the biggest organisations in the world. However, getting started in the field can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have a background in computer science or data analytics. 

You can select from many different Big Data job paths, such as:

• Big Data Architect
• Big Data Engineer
• Data Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Data Scientist
• Data Architect
• Database Manager, and many others.

Big Data offers a wide range of technologies that you may grasp. Simply put, you’re in a field of work with a lot of opportunities. Freshers can obtain the necessary big data skills to pursue a career in the lucrative field of big data. However, server, SQL, and programming knowledge are relevant in the eyes of recruiters. Additionally, experience in research and consulting is seen to be much more relevant if you’re wanting to move careers to one involving big data.

A career in big data can be developed by following the steps listed below:

1. Learn the basics: If you are new to the world of big data, it is crucial to begin by studying the basics. Understanding big data and its applications and learning about the many tools and technologies needed to process and analyse it are all part of this. Online classes, books, and industry-related blogs are excellent options for learning about big data. There are several free and relevant courses on big data basics that you can take online, here are some:

• “Introduction to Big Data” by Coursera: This is a free course that covers the basics of big data, including Hadoop and MapReduce.
• “Big Data Foundations” from IBM (Coursera): This course is part of a professional certificate program and covers the basics of big data, including Hadoop, MapReduce, and Spark.
• “Big Data and Hadoop for Beginners” by Udemy: This course covers the basics of big data and Hadoop, including HDFS, MapReduce, and Hive.

2. Gain experience: When pursuing a profession in big data, experience is frequently just as vital as formal education. If you want to get your foot in the door and develop your skills, think about applying for internships or entry-level jobs. To build your portfolio and gain experience, consider working on personal projects or taking part in hackathons.

3. Choose a specialisation: There are numerous specialities available in the large field of big data. Data engineering, data science, and data analytics are some popular disciplines. Think about your areas of interest and begin honing your abilities there.

4. Get certified: Although it’s not always essential, certification can be a terrific method to show prospective employers your knowledge and abilities. There are numerous different big data certifications available, including those from independent organisations like the International Institute of Analytics as well as corporations like Cloudera and Hortonworks.

5. Network and build relationships: As you launch your big data career, networking and establishing relationships with industry leaders can be tremendously helpful. To expand your network, think about joining groups for professionals, going to trade shows, and making connections on LinkedIn.

A career in big data can be promising and has the potential to be fascinating and lucrative. But it is crucial to start by learning the fundamentals and accumulating experience. Choose a speciality that appeals to you, then think about being certified to prove your expertise in it. Building relationships and networking are also essential for success in this industry. You can have a rewarding career in big data if you put in the effort and commitment. 

It’s Time To Step into the World of  Big Data!

Big data technologies and techniques are widely used, and the market is constantly growing. For those who are new to the field of big data or have experience but wish to start over, it can be overwhelming. Well, Mentoria is always here if you need help with the first few stages or are unsure about where to begin.

Sign Up at Mentoria, India’s Most Trusted Career Discovery Platform. We promise to handhold you throughout your career discovery journey – from the time you sign up until you get into a career you love.