Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

These degree profiles look at potential jobs, key skills & atributes, associations & professional development and great books which relate to each degree and its potential career path.

Data Science

Data science focuses on extracting meaningful insights from large and complex data sets to support decision-making, innovation, and problem-solving across industries.

This interdisciplinary field combines statistics, computer science, and domain knowledge to analyze structured and unstructured data using advanced techniques such as machine learning, data mining, and predictive modeling. Data scientists work in sectors like technology, healthcare, finance, marketing, and government—transforming raw data into actionable strategies. As a data science professional, you could build algorithms, visualize trends, or develop tools that enable organizations to make informed, data-driven decisions.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Statistical Analysis & Modelling: Understanding of statistical methods for analyzing data, identifying trends, and making predictions.

Programming & Scripting: Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in data science such as Python, R, and SQL.

Machine Learning & AI: Ability to develop, train, and evaluate machine learning models for tasks such as classification, regression, and clustering.

Data Wrangling & Cleaning: Skills in handling messy, incomplete, or large-scale data sets to prepare them for analysis.

Data Visualization: Creating clear, impactful visualizations using tools like Tableau, Matplotlib, or Power BI to communicate insights effectively.

Big Data Technologies: Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Hadoop, Spark) for processing large datasets.

Database Management: Understanding of relational and non-relational databases; querying, managing, and integrating data from various sources.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: Applying analytical thinking to solve complex, real-world problems using data-driven approaches.

Communication & Storytelling: Translating technical findings into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Ethics & Data Privacy: Awareness of ethical considerations, data governance, and compliance with privacy standards and regulations.

Sample Job Titles

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo


Data Scientist	Statistician	Database Analyst
Biostatistician	Data Administrator	Operations Research Analyst

Potential Industries

Agriculture & Agri-Tech	Financial Services	Public Administration
Energy & Natural Resources	Health Care & Pharmaceuticals	Retail & E-Commerce
Environmental Research & Consulting	Insurance & Actuarial Services	Technology & Software Development
Government & Public Policy	Manufacturing & Supply Chain	Telecommunications
Education & Research Institutions	Marketing & Advertising	Transportation & Urban Planning