What comes first to mind when you hear this phrase?
A person who dabbles with everything and never really gets into it deeply. Someone who knows a little of many subjects - barely enough to get their way. Lacking the patience and determination to be a master of one topic and achieve a grandmaster status, the 1% of the 1%.
It has become an insult.
But, it isn't really.
Recently, I was thinking a lot about it and tried to dig up the real meaning behind it. I found out that it was originally a compliment for a playwright who is always ready to help with everything around the theaters. One of those people was in fact, William Shakespeare.
Actually, the full phrase is:
"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one."
Now, it has a totally different meaning.
Can this phrase serve as a tool for a beginner data scientist? How can one use it to its own advantage? Is a top-notch data scientist a jack of all trades?
Jack's Different Background
Data Science is a relatively new field of work and becoming a data scientist isn't a straight path for everyone. Many data scientists are with diverse non-computer backgrounds and had almost unrelated jobs before they started working with data. Those people found ways to use their already acquired skills to their advantage. They know their strengths and weaknesses, but also how to implement them in their day-to-day activities.
Even if they come with a technical background and have related skills such as software developers or mathematicians, they are still in the same group and need to adapt. This means, those people are already jacks of all trades, but more importantly, they are able to put in the work and learn what is necessary to be great data scientists. You can almost say it is better if you come from a diverse background! At the end of the day, the results you produce matter the most.
The Skills Jack Need
Let's talk about the skills of a data scientist.
What one has to be proficient at in order to create quality work?
- Programming skills
- Statistics and mathematics
- Machine learning techniques
- Data visualization
- Communication and presentation skills
- Business strategy
- Public speaking
- Storytelling
You can easily say that the skills required to be a great data scientist are basically different careers, put all together in one. Each skill has its own job, but mixing them makes a data scientist that can deliver excellent results. It's only natural to be the most interested in one of them and try to push its boundaries and enjoy working on it. The others will complement that particular skill and help you stand out from other professionals in this field.
Companies are always interested in hiring people who can see trends and use their curiosity to work on solutions outside of their job description. To be able to do that, you will need a versatile set of skills that will serve you well and help you achieve the goal in mind. I can't think of a better job that is filled with such skills than a data scientist.
Jack is Flexible and Adaptable
Knowing many concepts, tools and skills make you adaptable to whichever career you choose. Being curious and flexible is underrated. People don't want to change a career because it's scary and uncomfortable. Your choice to get into data science and learn whatever takes to be great in this job should be admirable and motivating to you and others.
Data scientists aren't afraid of taking a new challenge and trying something new - a different approach to a challenge. You can notice people in data starting side hustles, creating YouTube accounts and sharing related advice, tips and tricks. Going on podcasts, writing articles and sharing their knowledge with others. That's another way to use the skill of communication and storytelling.
Writing helps you express yourself, articulate your thoughts and be clear when trying to prove a point. It's highly beneficial when it comes to storytelling and I recommend you start writing with Ghost to sharpen up the skill of telling a captivating story to your audience. It will help you in the process of finding a data science job, but also presenting to your shareholders.
Always be ready to learn and adapt to changes. That's the way a data scientist grows. That's how people grow in every aspect of their life. It's one of the reasons why data science is fun and exciting career to pursue.
Jack is a Master
Mona Lisa, arguably the greatest painting ever created was painted by a jack of all trades, a polymath, and the renaissance artist - Leonardo Da Vinci. He was a visionary, a painter, a sculptor, a designer, and a scientist to name a few. Being passionate about different topics and working on them every day proves to be beneficial today.
Jack of all trades is crucial for success.
In order to be an exceptional data scientist, you must be a master of as many of the required skills as possible. Try to be proficient in coding, analysis, math and storytelling. Do your best and always learn the thing that will make you better. These skills require a lifetime to master, but every day you can get closer to that goal.