What is big data?

In simple terms, big data is significantly large sets of data that are far too complex to be analyzed with traditional methods. They can be structured or unstructured. The term ‘big data’ gained momentum in the 2000s when Doug Laney presented the ‘three Vs’ explanation of big data that is widely accepted now.

The three Vs include Volume, Velocity and Variety. Volume refers to the ‘size’ of data, to put it in layman’s terms. With data gathered from a vast variety of resources, the amount of data is increasing with each passing day, compelling companies to store their data in terabytes, and sometimes in petabytes.

Velocity is the speech with which data is coming in. It requires that data is dealt with in a timely and speedy manner, matching the pace that data comes in.

Variety refers to the shape of data. Or in other words, how data is presented. In the early days, data was collected and presented in the shape of database files such as excel, access etc. But now, the landscape of data is changing and the forms of collection and presentation are rapidly diversified, including formats like videos, pdf and text.

While the three Vs explain what big data is concerned with, it should be kept in mind that big data is much more than just a large set of data. In fact, it involves highly complicated analysis processes that incorporate advanced and complicated techniques and tools. This is a field that is crucial for the corporate sector; it is safe to say that the survival of big companies will be uncertain without the field of big data analytics.  

Why is big data analytics important?

The importance of big data analysis mainly stems from the fact that it helps companies make sense of data that is otherwise incoherent and incohesive. Big data analysts process, cleanse and analyze the collected data using analytics software. Once analyzed, they can equip companies with data-driven information that help them make a solid and grounded decision. Big data analysis aids businesses to predict the future to a certain extent based on the findings from data, providing them with the necessary insights to regulate their future. They usually include insights relating to effective marketing, identifying new avenues of revenue, strategies to enhance customer experience and personalization and many more.

What are the career options available in big data analytics?

The field of big data analysis offers a range of career opportunities. For example, if you get into big data, you can explore career options like big data engineer, big data architect, database manager, data scientist, data modeller and database developer.

And here is what each job entails in short:

big data engineer- gathering, analyzing and interpreting business data to help make smart business decisions

Big data architect- designing the structure of the database, building it and providing maintenance

Database manager- identifying problems that may occur in the database, providing swift solutions for them and fixing them. Basically, maintain databases and assisting database management

 Data scientist- conceptualizing, designing, prototyping and constructing new processes for data modelling, mining and construction

 Data modeller- working on the construction of a database and building a model for the company’s data

 Database developer- designing and developing databases, troubleshooting as problems arise and monitoring database performance.

All these careers are highly lucrative and come with the promise of a fat salary deposit at the end of the month. Besides, once entered the field of big data analytics, there will be no shortage of jobs for you. Database analyst professionals are always in demand.

How to become a professional in big data analytics?

If you want to have a career in big data analysis, there are some courses that will get you where you want to go. What is key here is developing the right data skills and learning the fundamentals in data analysis. For this, you need to follow a course from a related discipline like ICT, computer science, software engineering etc. There are some courses specifically tailored to prepare students for a career in data science as well. When you are choosing a degree or course, make sure that you explore the options available and make an informed decision.

Here are some courses that you can follow in India to enter the field of big data analysis. According to The Economics Times, these are the top 8 courses you can follow in big data analysis.  

1.     Post Graduate Program in Data Science from Purdue University and Simplilearn

2.     Advanced Program in Data Science by IIM Calcutta

3.     Post Graduate Program in Data Science by Praxis Business School

4.     Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics by Imarticus

5.     Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics by Great Learning

6.     Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science by Upgrad

7.     Post Graduate Certification in Data Science by Edureka

8.      Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science by Jigsaw Academy
And, it is always a good idea to brush up on the basics and core concepts of the field before you enrol on an advanced course. Growth Central can help you with that. Check out this course by Growth Central, it will get you started with the basics.