Tangerang – Amid rapid technological advances, the need for experts in the field of data science is increasingly urgent. One of the efforts to prepare the young generation for this digital era was done by DQLab through the Free Class Batch 46 program, which took place on July 24, 2024. The event invited Ronny Fahrudin, a Data Scientist at Surbana Jurong Pte. Ltd., to share his experience and knowledge with beginners interested in a data career.

Ronny’s session was highly anticipated by the participants, primarily beginners in the field of data science. From the beginning of the event, Ronny discussed the importance of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in solving challenges in various sectors. This technology is not only a smart solution but also an important necessity for many industries, from healthcare to business.

Ronny highlighted how technological developments have changed how industries work and how data professionals now play a crucial role in dealing with the ongoing data explosion.

“Data science is not just a science, but a real solution to the modern world’s complex problems,” he explained to the audience.

He also gave examples of real applications of data science in various sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, finance, and e-commerce. For example, machine learning applied to Google Maps is able to predict traffic conditions in real-time, providing direct benefits to its users.

“Innovations like this are clear evidence of how data science plays a big role in our daily lives,” Ronny said.

To make it easier for the participants, Ronny dissected the essential stages in the data science life cycle, which he said is the foundation for anyone who wants to pursue a career in this field. The stages include:

1. Business Understanding – Understanding the business problem to be solved.
2. Data Mining – Collecting relevant data for analysis.
3. Data Cleansing – Cleaning data from errors or anomalies.
4. Data Exploration – Analyzing the data in depth to find patterns or trends.
5. Feature Engineering – Developing features from the data that can be used for predictive models.
6. Predictive Modeling – Using Machine Learning to make predictions.
7. Data Visualization – Presenting analysis results in an easy-to-understand visual form, such as a dashboard.

“All these stages are important to understand, especially for those of you who are just starting out,” Ronny said. He emphasized that understanding this entire process will make it easier for them to design better data solutions in the future.

In addition to understanding the concepts, Ronny also shared various skill sets that beginners must master to become Data Scientists or ML/AI Engineers. The skills he emphasized included a deep understanding of statistics and analysis, data mining skills, mastery of programming languages such as Python and SQL, and knowledge of Machine Learning and Deep Learning principles. He also added the importance of having soft skills such as good communication and problem-solving skills.

“Technical skills are important, but soft skills are equally important in conveying analysis results to stakeholders who may not understand the technical aspects,” Ronny said.

Answering the participants’ curiosity about career prospects, Ronny explained that salaries in the data field are pretty promising. This certainly motivated the participants to be more serious in honing their skills in this field.

“For beginners or entry-level, the salary of a Data Scientist in Indonesia can reach Rp6 million. However, for senior levels, it can reach Rp30 million per month,” he explained.

Closing the session, Ronny advised participants who want to strengthen their career preparation in data science to attend various courses or training, including DQLab’s Machine Learning & AI for Beginner Bootcamp. This program offers learning designed according to industry needs with interactive methods and experienced mentors. 

In addition, DQLab has also proven successful in producing excellent talents who have successful careers in the data field. Join DQLab Mini Bootcamp now. Click https://dqlab.id/dqlab-mini-bootcamp-introduction-to-data-analytics for more information!

By Lisya Zuliasyari | DQLab

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora