This field can be applied to nearly every industry, from research and science to business and education.  So students can use their skills in areas that most interest them.  Data science has helped advance genomic research and find the most efficient delivery routes for packages-- the applications are endless!

A data scientist position has some main functions: 

1. Problem Identification - a great data scientist loves to ask “why?”
2. Data Acquisition - gathering numbers from applicable sources
3. Data Preparation - includes checking and ensuring accuracy of data 
4. Exploratory Data Analysis - determining how to use the numbers and what story they tell
5. Data Model Creation to help identify a business solution
6. Communicate the solution to the client

While the major is still growing, many colleges have already established strong programs. Some to consider are Penn State University, University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Tech and Carnegie Mellon. Here’s a great day in the life video of a data scientist at Chevron to help you better understand what a data scientist does.