Introduction

Few industries have developed and evolved so quickly as big data. Just a
few years ago, big data was more of a buzzword than a viable career.
Businesses were busy figuring out what they were supposed to do with
information, and no real job opportunities existed outside think tanks
and a handful of cutting edge organizations.
Now this industry is mainstream. There are far more businesses looking
for good data scientists than there are educated, qualified job
candidates to fill the positions. If you want to be in high demand all over
the world, choose one of these lucrative careers.
Big data is characterized not just by its size, but by its variety and
complexity. For instance, traditional methods of data analytics can easily
handle enormous quantities of simple numerical information. But it
takes new strategies, techniques and tools to manage text files, videos,
images and other non-quantifiable data sets.

If you're interested, theres a career in big data for you. Here are 17 that
might be a good fit.
Note: all salary information is from Glassdoor.

17 Careers in Big Data

Table of Contents
1.

Business Analyst

2.

Business Intelligence Analyst

3.

Computer Information Research Scientist

10. Data Warehouse Analyst

11. Data Warehouse Manager
12. Database Administrator
13. Database Developer

4.

Computer Systems Analyst

5.

Data Analyst

6.

Data Architect

16. Quantitative Analyst

7.

Data Engineer

17. Statistician

8.

Data Modeler

9.

Data Scientist

17 Careers in Big Data

14. Database Manager

15. Marketing Analyst

Chapter 1:

Business Analyst
A business analyst is charged with improving business processes,
including productivity, distribution, etc. In today's world, most
business improvements come in the form of technologies.

The business analyst is in charge of:

Establishing the objectives and scope of the business and its

IT systems

Identifying organizational problems and finding the solutions

via the data

Conducting statistical analysis including surveys, training

workshops, and tests in order to generate the data needed for
analysis

Making recommendations for the right technologies and

overseeing the implementation of those tech solutions

Analytical

Interpersonal

Inventing new IT systems or improving existing systems when

necessary or appropriate

Leadership

Acting as a liaison between the developers and upper management

Managerial

Written and verbal communications

17 Careers in Big Data

The key skills a business analyst needs:


The technical expertise a business analyst needs:

Computer programming
Systems engineering
Database management

The average salary for a business analyst is $65,973.

Without understanding analytics and data you wont be part

of the business decision pipeline, because business decisions
are increasingly made based on dataa lot of data.
David Oury, professor of Mathematical Science, Bentley University

17 Careers in Big Data

Chapter 2:

Business Intelligence Analyst

This role is responsible for assembling all of the business
intelligence (BI) data from its various sources (computer
systems and software, industry reports, competitors, etc.)
to develop a complete picture of where the company
stands within the industry, what areas need to be
improved, and how the organization can boost productivity
and sales while lowering costs and reducing wastefulness.

The business intelligence analyst is in charge of:

Developing organization-wide data analytics and
reporting solutions
Analyzing information from multiple sources
Communicating analysis and making recommendations
based on the results of the analysis
Developing policies and procedures for cleansing the
organization's data

17 Careers in Big Data


The key skills a business intelligence analyst needs:

Database techniques
Analytical techniques
Reporting techniques

The technical expertise a business intelligence analyst needs:

Database queries

Stored procedure writing

OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)

Data cube technology

The average salary for a business intelligence analyst is $71,715.

Business analysis is not a job; it is a profession.

A person who does not feel passionate about this role will not excel.

Barbara A. Carkenord, author of Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis

17 Careers in Big Data

Chapter 3:

Computer Information Research Scientist

Computer information research scientists are in charge of inventing
new approaches to technology and designing those approaches for
real-world practical use. This position involves finding innovative uses
for existing technologies, as well as developing new ones. These
scientists study and solve complicated problems in a variety of
industries, including business, health care, science and others.

The computer information research scientist is in charge of:

Exploring computing issues and developing theories and models to
address those issues
Helping scientists and engineers solve complicated computing
problems
Inventing new computer languages, tools and methods
Developing and improving software and applications
Designing experiments to test software systems
Analyzing the results of those experiments
Publishing research findings in academic and trade journals
17 Careers in Big Data

The key skills a computer information research

scientist needs:

The ability to teach others
Able to communicate complex ideas and thoughts
coherently and on a variety of levels of understanding
An understanding of industry needs in order to produce
viable solutions
8

The ability to collaborate with engineers and other specials from a variety of disciplines, educational
backgrounds and levels of understanding
A keen attention to detail

The technical expertise a computer information research scientist needs:

Comprehensive knowledge of computer hardware and equipment

An understanding of how to use and develop robotics (in some industries)
Strong familiarity with computer software
Ability to program in languages used to develop software systems

The average salary for a computer information research scientist is $100,863.

When I have one week to solve a seemingly impossible problem, I spend

six days defining the problem. Then, the solution becomes obvious.
Albert Einstein

17 Careers in Big Data

Chapter 4:

Computer Systems Analyst

The computer systems analyst acts as a bridge between the
business and IT. By understanding the needs and the
limitations of both areas, the computer systems analyst is
able to design and implement the right technical solutions
for the business' needs. Inevitably, the computer systems
analyst is able to make the business more efficient and
productive through the use of technology.

The computer systems analyst is in charge of:

Modifying and expanding the business' computer systems
to improve work processes or to pursue new goals
Monitoring, testing and maintaining IT systems and
software applications, including overseeing the installation
of new computer systems and software systems
Developing or revising system design procedures and
quality standards, including documentation, and testing
those procedures

17 Careers in Big Data

Assisting the users, management, customers, etc. with

computer-related issues, such as program bugs or
equipment malfunctions
Monitoring and troubleshooting system and program
performance, identifying and addressing problems,
and debugging
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The key skills a computer systems analyst needs:

Effective problem-solving skills

Critical thinking skills
Strong skills in evaluating potential solutions and decisiveness in selecting the right solutions
Good communication skills, both in listening and in speaking
The ability to understand both the business' needs and the IT solutions that best address those needs

The ability to research, evaluate and recommend best practices for service improvement and delivery
An understanding of how to link computer systems within an organization for compatibility and data sharing
The ability to design, develop, code and install data processing systems and utilities
Overseeing training on systems and software
Generating reports to illustrate progress made on project development or implementation

The technical expertise a computer systems analyst needs:

The average salary for a computer systems analyst is $68,667.

When you wish to instruct, be brief; that mens minds take in quickly what
you say, learn its lesson, and retain it faithfully. Every word that is
unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind.

Cicero
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Chapter 5:

Data Analyst
A data analyst is able to manage the massive volume, variety,
velocity and veracity of big data. They are able to understand
and leverage the analytical technologies in order to identify
patterns and draw reasonable conclusions from the results, as
well as help their businesses determine sound and smart
courses of action based on the results.

The data analyst is in charge of:

Analyzing document data flow and data systems

Automating data extraction
Compiling reports on the data
Making recommendations based on the analytics
Developing systems to handle financial and other
transactions
Building data warehouses and/or data lakes

The key skills a data analyst needs:

17 Careers in Big Data

Strong analytical abilities

The ability to collaborate with others, as well as to work
independently
Strong quantitative and problem-solving capabilities

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The technical expertise a data analyst needs:

The ability to work with a variety of database platforms, including (but not limited to), SQL, SAP, Oracle, IBM
DB2, and increasingly NoSQL databases like Cassandra, CouchDB, HBase, MongoDB, etc.
A keen knowledge and understanding of database theories and best practices

The average salary for a data analyst is $60,476.

Note: graduates of well-respected programs (like those offered at Bentley University) generally start at a higher
entry-level pay, and achieve higher pay rates as they garner real-world experience.

The world has entered the data era. Without data analytics,
we cant extract the information from data. Its like being
blind in the jungle of data: we cant find the way out.
Mingfei Li, professor of Mathematical Sciences and
director of the MS Business Analytics program at Bentley University

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Chapter 6:

Data Architect
The data architect is responsible for the design,
creation, deployment and management of the
organization's data architecture. This includes data from
internal sources (such as the organization's software
systems) and from external sources (such as industry
information or social media firehose data).

The data architect is in charge of:

Planning and coordinating data resources
Translating business requirements into database
solutions
Creating data design models
Developing database architecture
Establishing data standards
Creating and testing database prototypes

17 Careers in Big Data

The key skills a data architect needs:

Strong analytical skills
Creative skills and problem-solving skills
A knowledge and understanding of data systems and systems
methodologies
An understanding of and ability to work with application architecture
Performance management skills
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The technical expertise a data architect needs:

A working knowledge of and experience with Oracle, SAP, SQL, IBM DB2, and other databases
An understanding of a variety of OS environments, including UNIX, Linux, Solaris, Windows, etc.

The average salary for a data architect $106,680.

Not everything that can be counted counts,

and not everything that counts can be counted.
Albert Einstein

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Chapter 7:

Data Engineer
When an organization takes on big data, they need an
infrastructure to house and manage it. Data engineers are
charged with designing, building and managing that
infrastructure. Their job is to make sure that the
infrastructure is created and administrated in such as way as
to provide maximum value to the organization.

The data engineer is in charge of:

Developing, building, testing and maintaining the data
architecture, including databases, data warehouses, data
lakes, processing systems, analytical algorithms,
prototypes, predictive models, etc.
Developing processes for mining, modeling, etc.
Creating customer software and analytical applications to
make the most out of the data
Installing and updating disaster recovery

The key skills a data engineer needs:

Creative problem-solving skills
The ability to collaborate with other data scientists and
management

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The technical expertise a data engineer needs:

Skills in statistical analysis and modeling

Understanding of Hadoop and related data technologies (MapReduce, Hive, Pig, etc.), SQL and related
technologies (PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.), and NoSQL and related technologies (Cassandra, MongoDB,
CouchDB, HBase, etc.)
Skills with data modeling tools (ERwin, Enterprise Architect, Visio, etc.)
Knowledge of languages used with big data activities (C and C++, Java, Perl; MATLAB, SAS, R, etc.)
Understanding of data warehousing solutions and data mining
Predictive modeling skills
Skills in NLP and text analysis
Knowledge of operating systems like UNIX, Linux, Solaris, Windows

The average salary for a data engineer is $95,526.

Data that is loved tends to survive.

Kurt Bollacker, data scientist

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Chapter 8:

Data Modeler
A data modeler usually acts as a senior manager
within the data management department, and
perhaps a top-level executive within the entire
organization. Their job is to provide technical
supervision to the analytics and data management
teams. They also usually oversee project management
when its relative to the data or data analytics.

The data modeler is in charge of:

Analyzing the organization's requirements relative

to their data and data infrastructure
Creating solid data flow models
Interviewing stakeholders in various projects and
making recommendations based on those
interviews
Ensuring the availability of data reporting
Addressing any data quality issues that might exist
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The key skills a data modeler needs:

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills
The ability to work together with a team or independently

The technical expertise a data modeler needs:

Knowledge of data modeling tools and methodologies

An understanding of database system applications
Stored procedures and data warehousing knowledge

The average salary for a data modeler is $78,601.

Every system is basically the same.

It takes data from somewhere, it does something to it,
and then it puts it somewhere else.
Ben Rinzler, author of Telling Stories:
A Short Path to Writing Better Software Requirements
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Chapter 9:

Data Scientist
Dubbed by the Harvard Business Review as the sexiest job of the
21st century", a data scientist is in charge of the processes and
systems it takes to extract knowledge and insight from big data.

The numbers a data scientist works with might be structured,

semi-structured or unstructured. This position requires a
combination of a group of skill sets, including mathematics,
statistics, data mining and predictive analytics.

The data scientist is in charge of:

Extracting enormous volumes of data from a variety of internal
and external sources
Communicating findings and predictions produced by analytics
Cleaning data and combing it for irrelevant information
Inventing new algorithms to probe data for answers and insight
Exploring data from various angles
Employing analytical techniques and tools
Using machine learning and statistical methods to use data in
predictive and prescriptive modeling
17 Careers in Big Data

The key skills a data scientist needs:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
The ability to communicate with various personality
types, and those with various skill sets
Comprehensive knowledge of mathematics and
statistics
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The technical expertise a data scientist needs:

Machine learning tools and techniques (K-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forests, Ensemble Methods, etc.)
Software engineering (distributed computing, data structures, algorithms, etc.)
Data mining, cleaning and wrangling
Data visualization (ggplot, D3.js, reporting techniques)
Techniques for working with unstructured data sets (R, SAS, NoSQL, Python, C and C++, Java, Perl)
Big data platforms, including Hadoop, Pig, Hive, etc.
Cloud and virtualization tools including Amazon S3

Note: The differences between a data scientist and a data analyst can be confusing. A data scientist is primarily
concerned with extrapolation, reporting and summarizing the analytical findings. Data analysts are primarily
charged with interpreting the meanings of the data analysis.

The average salary for a data scientist is $113,436.

The HIPPO (highest paid persons opinion) is dead when it comes to

making strategic business decisions! Todays key decisions need to be
informed by a myriad of factors and an understanding of how these
factors interrelate. This requires data and data analytics to guide
decision makers to the most appropriate decision.

Sam Woolford, professor of Statistics and

director of the Center for Quantitative Analysis at Bentley University

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Chapter 10:

Data Warehouse Analyst

A data warehouse analyst is responsible for designing and implementing methods of storing data, as well as ways to access and analyze
it. This person may oversee other analysts. The data warehouse analyst is charged with monitoring the data and assuring its integrity and
security. This position often serves as a go-between for IT and the business units who need access to and analysis of the data.

The data warehouse analyst is in charge of:

Collecting, analyzing and mining data

Researching effective and efficient data storage and reporting solutions
Translating data requirements into data models
Defining the interfaces for users to interact with the data
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The key skills a data warehouse analyst needs:

Research and analytical skills

Strong problem-solving skills
The ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written capacities

The technical expertise a data warehouse analyst needs:

An understanding of database theories

Data modeling skills
Knowledge of data architecture

The average salary for a data warehouse analyst is $71,737.

Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves.
Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web

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Chapter 11:

Database Warehouse Manager

The data warehouse manager is charged with designing, developing
and maintaining the data storage. These professionals work together
with database developers and administrators to make sure that the
systems meet the needs of the organization. They also develop and
implement strategies to collect data from various systems and
vendors to be used by the organization.

The data warehouse manager is in charge of:

Designing, developing and maintaining data warehouses
Assuring that data systems conform to the organization's data
architecture
Implementing strategies for collecting and assembling data

The key skills a data warehouse manager needs:

The ability to communicate effectively
Management skills
Strong analytical and project management skills

17 Careers in Big Data

The technical expertise a data warehouse

manager needs:

Database languages and applications, including SQL,
Oracle, IBM DB2, etc.
Understanding of database theory and implementation
Knowledge of data warehouse tools and architecture
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The average salary of a data warehouse manager is $122,936.

Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex, intelligent behavior.
Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple, stupid behavior.
Dee Hock, founder and former CEO of Visa

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Chapter 12:

Database Administrator
The database administrator (DBA) is in charge of making sure the
software that the organization uses to manage their databases is well
maintained to assure fast, efficient access. Server performance and
efficiency is a prime concern for the DBA so that users can
confidently access, search and utilize the data. DBAs are also usually
responsible for data security, as well as assuring the integrity of
sensitive organizational data.

The database administrator is in charge of:

Monitoring and maintaining databases
Making modifications to the database as requested by the
business users and managers
Assuring database integrity and system availability
Backing up the database and maintaining business continuity in
regards to the database

17 Careers in Big Data

The key skills a database administrator needs:

Customer service abilities
Effective communication skills
Strong teamwork skills with database and IT workers

26


The technical expertise a database administrator needs:

Solid skills in database structure, configuration, installation and best practices
Knowledge and experience with relational databases (SQL, Oracle, IBM DB2)
Usually this position requires certifications from various database vendors, such as Microsoft and Oracle
The average salary of a database administrator is $68,480.

Software requirements are the necessary and sufficient properties of

software that will ensure the solution achieves what it was designed to
accomplish for its users and for the business.

Ellen Gottesdiener, agile product management expert

and author of The Software Requirements Memory Jogger

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Chapter 13:

Database Developer

Database developers create and maintain databases according to the organization's coding standards. They are in charge of analyzing
current database procedures and developing better solutions to keep the database up to date and efficient. This includes monitoring,
troubleshooting, debugging, etc. in order to improve performance.

The database developer is in charge of:

Developing database objects and structures to store, retrieve and report on the data
Implementing the design of the database
Developing back-end interfaces for Web and mobile applications
Supporting the database administrator
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The key skills a database developer needs:

Analytical skills
Strong communication and problem-solving skills

The technical expertise a database developer needs:

Proficiency with SQL, Oracle, IBM DB2

Knowledge of database theory and best practices
This position often requires certifications in specific vendor database products, including Microsoft
Certified Database Administrator and Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional

The average salary of a database developer is $81,280.

The hardest single part of building a software system

is deciding precisely what to build.
Fred Brooks, computer scientist
and author of the Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

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Chapter 14:

Database Manager
Some organizations require a database manager (DBM) instead of a
database administrator (DBA). The DBA is more technically focused,
concerned primarily with keeping the database up and running. The
DBM is charged with making sure that users understand how to use
the database, assuring that all data is collected and managed in the
centralized data management system, and taking care that the
database meets the needs of the organization.

The database manager is in charge of:

Heading the team responsible for managing the database

Planning the organizations information systems strategies
Presenting the needs to the senior IT managers

The key skills a database manager needs:

The technical expertise a database manager

needs:

The ability to effectively communicate with the IT team and

management
Knowledge and experience in technical management

Knowledge of database tools like SQL, DB2 and Oracle
A keen understanding of all aspects of database
technologies

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The average salary of a database manager is $68,459.

Technology frightens me to death.

Its designed by engineers to impress other engineers.
And they always come with instruction booklets
that are written by engineers for other engineers
which is why almost no technology ever works..
John Cleese, actor, comedian, writer and film producer

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Chapter 15:

Marketing Analyst
The marketing analyst empowers the organization with insight into
products and customers using data. This professional devises a
plan to use that information, conducts analysis on it and develops
marketing solutions based on that analysis.

The marketing analyst is in charge of:

Determining what products or services to offer

Finding out which customers would be most interested in what
products
Researching the best pricing for products based on customer
actions
Collecting and analyzing competitor data
Researching consumer opinion, buying habits, etc.
Developing methods for collecting and analyzing data
Using predictive analytics and other data tools
Developing ways to assess the effectiveness of marketing,
advertising, etc.
Monitoring and forecasting sales trends
Finding opportunities for new initiatives and promotions

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The key skills a marketing analyst needs:

Analytical skills
Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
The ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written capacities

The technical expertise a marketing analyst needs:

Understanding of statistical analysis software (R, SAS, SPSS, STATA, etc.)

Knowledge of database querying languages (SQL)
Programming skills
Understanding of various software programs, including business intelligence, reporting, survey and query software
Data mining
Data visualization

To succeed in this role, a masters degree in Marketing Analytics can help.

The average salary for a marketing analyst is $55,742.

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary

so that the necessary may speak.
Hans Hofmann, abstract expressionist painter
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Chapter 16:

Quantitative Analyst
The quantitative analyst is an expert in mathematics and statistics including
numerical and quantitative techniques who uses these skills to calculate financial
risk. Other quantitative analysts are used in industry (such as manufacturing) to assess
the data and calculate risk.

The quantitative analyst is in charge of:

Developing and implementing models for financial firms to use for

managing risk, as well as prizing investment products
Researching and analyzing market trends for modeling purposes
and making decisions
Performing statistical analysis and coding tasks
Presenting and explaining the results of data analytics

The key skills a quantitative analyst needs:

Analytical and problem-solving skills
Mathematical skills (including calculus, algebra, statistics,
probability and game theory)

17 Careers in Big Data

The technical expertise a quantitative analyst

needs:
Knowledge of systematic and discretionary trading
practices, equity and interest rate derivatives, and
portfolio theory
Understanding of financial concepts
Object-oriented programming
34


Big data modeling
C++, MATLAB, SAS, S-PLUS/R, C#, Java, .NET, VBA, Excel
Monte Carlo methods
Machine learning techniques
Data mining techniques

The average salary for a quantitative analyst is $108,204.

Data do not give up their secrets easily.

They must be tortured to confess.

Jeffrey Hooper, Bell Laboratories

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Chapter 17:

Statistician
Statisticians collect and analyze data in order to
solve a variety of problems and to determine
better ways of doing things. A number of
industries utilize statisticians, including business,
engineering, the scientific community, etc.

The statistician is in charge of:

Applying statistical theories and methods to
collect, analyze and interpret quantitative data
Determining how best to collect data
Extracting data from existing sources, as well as
finding new sources and methods of collecting
it
Analyzing and interpreting data via statistical
tools, algorithms, models, software, etc.
Identifying patterns, trends and relationships
within the data

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The key skills a statistician needs:

Analytical and problem-solving skills
The ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and
written capacities
Reasoning

The technical expertise a statistician needs:

Data mining, cleansing and munging or wrangling

Data visualization and reporting
Using both structured and unstructured data analytics techniques
R, SAS and other languages, as required by the specific organization
SQL and other database querying languages
Python, C, C++, Java, Perl, Hadoop, Hive, Pig, Amazon S3 and others

The average salary for a statistician is $76,061

Those who ignore statistics are condemned to reinvent it.

Statistics is the science of learning from experience.
Bradley Efron, statistician

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Located just minutes from Boston, Bentley Universitys McCallum Graduate School of Business
offers graduate programs as diverse and wide-ranging as the business world itself.

Choose from three MBAs: the innovative 11-month Bentley MBA, the Emerging Leaders MBA for
recent graduates, or the Professional MBA for maximum flexibility. We also have eight Master of
Science programs, each designed to meet the demands of todays employers in fields ranging
from technology and analytics to accounting and financial management.

No matter where you are in your profession or life, Bentley has a graduate program to take you
to the next level of career success.

Contact Us

www.bentley.edu/graduate | +1.781.891.2108