Big data is a broad field. Its applications are found in academia, industry, and organizations of all sizes. The professionals in this field have specializations ranging from communicating the implications of trends to optimizing the technical procedures that drive the analyses.
The broadness of big data leaves beginners with a lot of questions. What kind of knowledge is necessary to start working with big data? Do I need both personal aptitude and technical skills? How do I know which specialization is right for me? What are the actual jobs available? How many programming languages should I learn?
While it is impossible to answer every question that students may have about their future career as a big data professional, the following sections will cover many aspects of big data career paths that students will have to consider early on.