Data

Data technology involves gathering and analyzing information to learn things that companies and organizations want to know. This can include analyzing trends, helping businesses make decisions and understanding the world around us. Data also requires keeping personal information stored online safe from cybersecurity threats.

What is Data?

Data is everywhere. People who work with data look at trends among populations and individuals to extract insights from everyday life. All kinds of industries use data. Government and politicians use data to understand the best way to connect with people. Information is valuable, and those who can process and protect data are very important.

 

The data field involves math and statistics. Software programs specifically designed to interpret and visualize data help make this specialized field accessible to a wider audience. People who work in data can also work on specific sub-fields such as algorithms and artificial intelligence.

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Example Careers

Data architect

Education Requirements
Educational training requirements vary. Most data architects earn a bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, math or physics.

Average Salary
The median salary for a Data Architect is $93,440 per year in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, according to O*Net.


Data architects develop and maintain databases. They create blueprints for data management systems. After assessing a company's potential data sources, architects design a plan to integrate, centralize, protect and maintain them. Data architects collaborate with IT teams and management to devise a data strategy that addresses industry requirements. Educational training requirements vary. Most data architects earn a bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, math or physics.

Data Scientists

Education Requirements
They generally need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, math or physics, and certain roles may require a master's degree or a PhD.

Average Salary
The median salary for a data scientist is $90,00 per year in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, according to Glassdoor.


Data scientists connect data from various systems to predict future outcomes or analyze business decisions. They create blueprints for data management systems. After assessing a company's potential data sources, data architects collaborate with IT teams and management to devise a data strategy that addresses industry requirements. Those who want to develop data science skills, and who already have a bachelor's degree, can obtain certification from a code school specializing in data science.

Data Engineer

Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree

Average Salary
$114K


Data engineers implement methods to improve data reliability and quality. They combine raw information from different sources to create consistent and machine-readable formats. They also develop and test architectures that enable data extraction and transformation for predictive or prescriptive modeling. Anyone who enters this field will need a bachelor's degree in computer science, software or computer engineering, applied math, physics, statistics, or a related field.

Data Analyst

Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree

Average Salary
$58k according to ZipRecruiter


A data analyst collects, processes and performs statistical analyses on large dataset. They discover how data can be used to answer questions and solve problems. A bachelor's degree is needed for most entry-level jobs. Most data analysts will have degrees in fields like mathematics, finance, statistics, economics, or computer science.

Security Engineer

Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree, master's degree and 1-5 years experience

Average Salary
$112k according to ZipRecruiter


Security engineers are responsible for testing and screening security software and for monitoring networks and systems for security breaches or intrusions. They can often resolve possible causes of security threats early on by looking at things from a security perspective and recommending enhancements to management. Security engineer jobs usually require a four-year undergraduate degree. Many security engineers also hold a master's degree and 1-5 years of experience in an IT position prior to moving into an engineering role.

Technical Recruiter

Education Requirements
High school diploma or bachelor's degree

Average Salary
$65k according to ZipRecruiter


The technical recruiter identifies, recruits, screens, and presents good candidates for positions such as software engineering, data analysis, technical writers. They collaborate with hiring managers to set realistic technical requirements. Although it is possible to enter this field with a high school diploma or GED, most technical recruiters obtain a bachelor's degree or higher. Compared to other recruiters, technical recruiters generally have at least two years of experience in the tech industry.

Logistic Analyst

Education Requirements
A bachelor's degree or associate's degree

Average Salary
$60k according to Comparably


A logistics analyst is responsible for overseeing the entire life cycle of a product, including purchase, distribution, internal allotment, release and final clearance of resources. A logistics analyst helps their employers enhance performance by determining and reducing inefficiencies that might consume profits. A bachelor's degree in the field is required for most logisticians and logistics engineers, although some positions require only an associates degree.

Career salary data provided by: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook handbook and O*NET OnLine.

If data is not your thing, there are more areas of tech!

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