Big data and data science are hot topics these days. However, numerous data terminologies are applicable to this idea. Even professionals struggle to define terminology like "big data," "data analysis," "data mining," and "data science," which are frequently used interchangeably. The often-confusing distinctions between data analytics and data science are the subject of this article, which focuses on one of the more significant distinctions concerning your career.

Data Analytics vs. Data Science

Even while both data analysts and data scientists deal with data, the key distinction between them is in what they do with it.

• Data analysts: In order to help firms make better strategic decisions, data analysts evaluate enormous data sets to find trends, build charts, and produce visual presentations.

• Data scientists: On the other hand, data scientists use prototypes, algorithms, predictive models, and custom analysis to design and build new processes for data modeling and production.

Working in Data Analytics

Although the duties of data analysts can differ among businesses and industries, they are primarily responsible for using data to make important discoveries and resolve issues. They employ a variety of methods to evaluate well-defined sets of data to provide practical business solutions, such as explaining why sales declined in a certain quarter or how internal attrition influences revenue.

Data analysts work in a variety of industries and hold a variety of positions, such as (but not limited to) database analysts, business analysts, market research analysts, sales analysts, financial analysts, marketing analysts, advertising analysts, customer success analysts, operations analysts, pricing analysts, and international strategy analysts. The best data analysts are technical experts who can explain quantitative results to non-technical co workers or clients.

• Characteristics of Data Analysts

Data analysts can come from a background in mathematics and statistics, or they can complement a non-quantitative experience by gaining the skills necessary to make decisions using data. A certification in data analytics course in Canada is where many data analysts decide to obtain to better their professions.

Those who have experience in the mathematical or statistical domains and are thinking about changing their careers may benefit. The addition of pursuing an additional degree in the data industry would significantly increase their work options and facilitate a seamless transfer into a data analysis profession.

• Skills and Tools

Data mining/data warehouse, data modeling, R or SAS, SQL, statistical analysis, database management & reporting, and data analysis are some of the top data analyst abilities.

• Roles and Responsibilities

As well as creating reports that clearly communicate trends, patterns, and predictions based on pertinent findings, data analysts are frequently in charge of designing, maintaining, and interpreting data systems and databases.

Working in Data Science

By formulating queries, creating algorithms, and creating statistical models, data scientists, on the other hand, estimate the unknown. A data scientist's extensive coding is their main advantage over a data analyst. In addition to building their own automation frameworks and systems, data scientists can simultaneously organize arbitrary data sets using a variety of tools.

Characteristics of Data Scientist 

A data scientist is someone who has mathematical and statistical knowledge, hacking skills, and substantive expertise, according to Drew Conway, a data science expert and the founder of Alluvium. As a result, a lot of data scientists have academic credentials like a master's in data science.

• Skills and Tools

Among these are data mining and data warehouses, data analysis, Python, Hadoop, Java, object-oriented programming, and machine learning.

• Roles and Responsibilities

Data scientists are typically tasked with designing data modeling procedures as well as developing algorithms and predictive models to extract the data required by an organization to solve challenging problems.

Which data career is right for you?

Despite the considerable distinctions in role responsibilities, educational requirements, and career paths, data analysts and data scientists have job titles that are misleadingly identical.

No matter how you look at it, though, skilled workers for data-focused occupations are highly sought after in today's job market due to organizations' compelling desire to make sense of—and capitalize on—their data.

You can choose the profession that is best for you and begin on your route to success after taking into account aspects like your history, interests, and desired wage. To learn more about advancing your career—or even getting started in a career—in data science and data analytics, visit learnbay's data science certification course in Canada which is collaborated with IBM.