With the increasing popularity of Data Science, it is no shock that jobs like Data Scientist, Data Analyst, etc. are becoming more in demand than ever. It appears that Data science is the new buzz word and everybody in the tech sector is either already a data scientist or working on becoming a data scientist!
So there are more and more professionals exploring this field which means it is becoming more and more difficult to stand out in all the competition. Since many Data Scientists these days have no formal training and have learned Data Science on their own, there is a requirement for a standard that demonstrates the skill and experience of a Data Scientist and helps them stand out from the crowd. This is where the Chartered Data Scientist Program comes in! So let’s understand what is a Chartered Data Scientist first and then we can focus on how to become one in this article.
What is a Chartered Data Scientist?
The Chartered Data Scientist Program is developed by the Association of Data Scientists which is a global professional body made up of Data Science and Machine Learning professionals. Since the Association of Data Scientists is dedicated to the development and advance of data science, it has created the Chartered Data Scientist Program that will help you stand out in the crowd of data scientists.
If you become a Chartered Data Scientist, this is an announcement to all data organizations and your fellow data scientists that you have a strong understanding of the advanced data science and in-depth knowledge of applied various tools and skills required in analytics. This also means that you can forge more connections with other elite Chartered Data Scientists that are working in leading organizations or involved in cutting-edge innovation at academic institutions. Obtaining the title of a Chartered Data Scientist allows you to demonstrate your mastery in data science which will make you highly sought after by organizations that want to move into the data age. It will provide you an edge in your career development and ensure you stand a cut above the other data scientists. Now let’s see how you can become a Chartered Data Scientist to enhance your career.
How to Become a Chartered Data Scientist?
To become a Chartered Data Scientist, you need to pass a Data Science Exam that tests you on the fundamental tools and techniques that are used in data science along with the theories governing them. The exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam with 150 questions of equal weightage and a time limit of 3 hours. To enroll in the exam, you can register online von the Association of Data Scientists website. Data Science Exam is available year-round and you need to pay USD 250 for appearing in this exam. But the plus point is that paying this much money also buys you a one-year membership of Association of Data Scientists! Apart from passing this exam, you should also have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in data science or a related field. If you have this experience and you pass the exam, you are awarded with the minimum passing score, you are awarded the designation of a Chartered Data Scientist with a life-time validity.
The Chartered Data Scientist exam has 10 different sections with the following topics and weightage
Section 1: Probability Theory, Statistics, and Linear Algebra (Weightage is 12%)
Section 2: Data Engineering and Databases (Weightage is 8%)
Section 3: Exploratory Data Analysis (Weightage is 8%)
Section 4: Supervised Learning and Unsupervised Learning (Weightage is 15%)
Section 5: Neural Networks and Deep Learning (Weightage is 11%)
Section 6: Natural Language Processing (Weightage is 8%)
Section 7: Computer Vision (Weightage is 8%)
Section 8: Deployment and Model management (Weightage is 8%)
Section 9: Python and R (Weightage is 10%)
Section 10: Business and data science (Weightage is 12%)
Who Should Consider Becoming a Chartered Data Scientist?
Now that we have seen what a Chartered Data Scientist is, how do you decide whether you want to obtain this qualification or not. It will be helpful to you anyways, but particularly useful if you fall into any of these three categories!
1. Data Scientists
Are you a data scientist, machine learning engineer, data analyst, or any other professional relating to the data science field who wants to expand their knowledge of data science and improve their skill set? If you are, then becoming a Chartered Data Scientist is perfect for you! If you are just beginning your career in data science, then this exam will force you to learn about all the aspects of Data Science and broaden your horizons. If you are an experienced data scientist, then his exam will allow you to refresh your knowledge and understand the latest trends in Data Science. It will also allow put an official stamp of validation to your knowledge. After successfully completing the Chartered Data Scientist exam, you can count yourself among elite data scientists with superior skills.
2. Students
Are you a student of Data Science who wants to test what they have learned and acquired even more knowledge in this field? If yes, then this Chartered Data Scientist exam is a great value booster for you! You can sit the exam during your formal studies or after completing your studies. It will allow you to build your knowledge base further than what you have learned in university and also help you learn more about other branches in Data Science. Also, the Chartered Data Scientist exam is more practice-based than theory-based and it will demonstrate to your future employers that you are a data scientist who can handle real-world problems. You will only become a Chartered Data Scientist after a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in data science after passing this exam but still, the fact that you passed the exam will improve your value in the job market.
3. Professional Carrier Changers
Are you in a profession that is not Data Science but you want to transition to data science or any of its related fields? Then the Chartered Data Scientist exam is a very good option as it will demonstrate to your future employers that you are proficient in Data Science despite not having a background in this subject. As a professional from a non Data Science field, this exam will also familiarize you with all the aspects of Data Science and broaden your horizons. Becoming a Chartered Data Scientist will be a signal to future employers that you are industry-ready and an expert in Data Science even if you have no formal education r previous experience in this field. Therefore, this exam will surely improve your job prospects as you transition from a non Data Science field to a Data Science professional.
Advantages of Becoming a Chartered Data Scientist
Now let’s check out some of the advantages of becoming a Chartered Data Scientist:
1. Global Recognition
The Chartered Data Scientist exam tests you thoroughly in various fields of data science and makes sure that you have a strong understanding of the advanced data science and in-depth knowledge of applied various tools and skills required in analytics. Therefore, succeeding in this exam and becoming a Chartered Data Scientist earns you global recognition because it proves your skill as a data scientist and demonstrates your dedication to professional excellence to the whole world.
2. Demonstration of Professional Experience
The designation of a Chartered Data Scientist is only awarded if you pass the Chartered Data Scientist exam and accumulate at least two years of full-time work experience in data science. Since the exam is more practice-based than theory-based and you also have work experience, being a Chartered Data Scientist will demonstrate to your future employers that you are a professional data scientist who can handle real-world problems.
3. Improved Employment Opportunities
Becoming a Chartered Data Scientist will demonstrate your experience and skill as a master in Data Science. This will elevate you to a group of elite Data Scientists which will also improve your employment opportunities. Since employers know that you are skilled in various domains of Data Science and have real-world work experience, they will be much more likely to hire you than ever before.
4. Entry into an Elite Group
Since Data science is becoming more and more popular, there are many more Data Scientists and Analysts in the market than ever before. This has resulted in stiff competition in the job market but becoming a Chartered Data Scientist will provide you an edge among the others. This will provide you entry into an elite group with access to a network of like-minded professionals that are all experts in Data Science. This will expand your connectivity and lead to many more job opportunities in the future.
5. Acquiring Specialized Knowledge
The Chartered Data Scientist exam contains questions from all branches of Data Science such as Linear Algebra, Exploratory Data Analysis, Supervised Learning and Unsupervised Learning Databases, Neural Networks and Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, etc. Studying all these topics deeply will ensure that you acquire specialized knowledge across the breadth of Data Science that will help you become an Expert Data Scientist.
