Artificial Intelligence
Six Archetypes of Data Scientists—CHOOSE Your Color
Data scientist Egbert Clevers has to explain "what he actually does" all over again at every family gathering. To make his life—and that of organizations looking to hire data scientists—easier, he presents six archetypes of data scientists. CHOOSE your color!
Six Archetypes of Data Scientists—CHOOSE Your Color
The annual family day: the perfect opportunity to catch up on work and personal life. One is a journalist, the other works in Healthcare—professions that can be explained in a single word. But as a data scientist, I always have a hard time explaining exactly what my job entails.
The same is true in the workplace, by the way: plenty of skeptical looks or plenty of (often incorrect) assumptions. I think these assumptions stem from the examples of data innovations that everyone sees around them. With technical feats from Google or YouTube, data science seems like a goldmine of smart apps and deep learning algorithms . With KPI dashboards in the business world, datascience seems like a way to (finally) make unstructured data understandable. With in-depth analysis of scientific data, data science seems to be mostly about statistics. In short: there’s quite a wide range of understanding regarding the meaning of data science. Yet in the Netherlands, many thousands of organizations employ one or more data scientists or are on the verge of recruiting them. I sometimes wonder how many of those organizations actually know who or what they’re really bringing on board. Time for some clarification!
Data science as an umbrella term for a range of skills
Just for fun, I took a look at the LinkedIn profiles of about a thousand professionals who describe themselves as data scientists, as well as a few other data-related roles for comparison. There appears to be significant clustering in the competency profiles of data scientists. This is evident from a latent class analysis, as shown in the figure below using two principal components.
That brings me to six archetypes:
- The data scientist with a strong background in mathematics. Understands the statistical basis of analyses and thus has a solid “toolbox” of data analysis methods. Often has a background in physics or mathematics.
- A data scientist with a background in development. Programs and builds (web) applications with a data component. Often draws on a background in life sciences or sustainability.
- The specialist in artificial intelligence (AI). Capable of handling technically complex problems, such as the automated processing of images or text, often using deep learning.
- The business consultant. Combines a background in economics or business administration with a knack for data to tackle everyday challenges in the business world.
- The (technical) data consultant. Has experience with various software packages across different markets. Well-rounded skill set.
- The data science “manager.” Translates data expertise into strategy and policy. Possesses both technical data skills (particularly in commercial software packages) and management skills.
The Right Color Palette
If your organization wants to grow or get started with data: what exactly do you want to do in the area of data? If you’re considering hiring a data scientist: which of the competency profiles listed above best aligns with the skills you already have in-house? These and other questions form the foundation for building a data team where every data professional finds their place and feels completely happy. And that alone is more than enough for the family day!
Meet the Author
All insights on artificial intelligence from our specialists.
A form has never been the best way to understand someone. AI enables multimodal input.
From minimal input to rich context: AI-driven multimodal input is transforming how financial institutions make decisions.
Banks, Start Using AI Now to Help Entrepreneurs
Artificial Intelligence Banks, Start Using AI Now to Help Entrepreneurs Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the government has been trying to keep businesses
Consultancy.nl | Jeroen Visscher Leads the Education Working Group of the AI Coalition
AI Jeroen Visscher leads the AI Coalition’s Education Working Group Consultancy.nl has also published an article about the contribution that Turner’s managing partner, Jeroen Visscher,
Big Data and AI: Where Do You Stand?
Big Data and AI: Where Do You Stand? Turner data scientist Egbert Clevers reflects in the car on the ubiquity of big data and AI. Everyone uses AI. But how
Taking AI Beyond the Experimental Stage?
Artificial Intelligence Taking AI Beyond the Experimental Stage? It Starts with Focus. Frits Korthals Altes of Turner writes about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in his latest
Innovating with Data in Healthcare?
Artificial Intelligence Innovating with data in Healthcare? Oil the machine first. Turner’s healthcare expert Egbert Clevers is already seeing wonderful examples of data-driven innovation in
5 Data Governance Tips
Artificial Intelligence 5 Data Governance Tips: Don’t Let Your “Data Lake” Turn Into a “Data Swamp” Frits Korthals Altes of Turner sees many organizations starting
Six Archetypes of Data Scientists—CHOOSE Your Color
Artificial Intelligence Six Archetypes of Data Scientists—CHOOSE Your Color Data scientist Egbert Clevers has to explain “what he actually does” all over again at every
Promising Start for the Education Working Group
Monday, November 23 marked the official kickoff of the NLAIC’s Education Working Group. Approximately 225 participants took part in the session—enthusiastic and engaged individuals who want to help advance the
Kickoff of AI in Education Month
The Dutch AI Coalition (NL AIC) is a co-organizer of AI in Education Month. The month of June is therefore packed with (online) events aimed at raising awareness of AI
June, AI in Education Month
Jeroen Visscher leads the Education Working Group within the Dutch AI Coalition. In June, the working group will organize “AI in Education Month.” Together with SURF and the Acceleration Program,
10 Tips for Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Your Organization
More and more financial institutions are investing in artificial intelligence. However, not all of these AI initiatives are as successful as hoped. Why is that? And what can you, as
Contact
We would like to get to know you.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
Huize de Boom
Arnhemseweg 107
3832 GK Leusden
Phone: +31 (0)33 – 285 93 00
Email: info@turner.nl
Make an appointment
Would you like more information or a tailor-made quote? Fill in the form for a no-obligation appointment.