becoming a big data consultant

How to become a big data consultant: the guide

Few professions combine mathematics, computer science, and their application in a tangible reality so well. If you enjoy data analysis and coding algorithms that can interpret data to make predictions, this profession is for you.
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What is a big data consultant?

A big data consultant is an analyst tasked by clients with delivering functional software that implements analytical models based on data collection. The goal is to draw projections from it.

Let's illustrate its role with a concrete example: a company wants to personalize its ads. The big data consultant will be hired to set up the algorithmic models to compile and interpret the data collected on user preferences.

Companies like Google and Facebook use big data consultants to better target users with ads for goods and services that match their interests. Their algorithms aim to target them with ads based on their online interactions.

The role of a big data consultant is highly sought after, especially since their impact on the revenues of large companies is revolutionizing existing economic models.

The role of a big data consultant isn't just about sales

A big data consultant can also carry out projects for institutions or non-governmental organizations. For example, in the field of health, they can develop software to predict which children will not have access to care, based on:

  • Of their social origin,
  • Of their geographic origin,
  • Their parents' level of education,
  • Of the household composition,
  • Etc.

Its area of expertise is therefore particularly broad, and is by no means limited to making production systems profitable or optimizing advertising campaigns.

What qualifications do you need to become a big data consultant?

The big data consultant is a mathematician well-versed in computer science. Their curriculum is based on completing a university education in one of the following fields:

  • Master's degree in computer science,
  • Master's degree in economics, with a specialization in statistics,
  • Master's degree dedicated to big data.

The country's largest universities offer these university courses:

  • Paris Tech,
  • Supelec (Higher School of Electricity),
  • Paris Dauphine,
  • Etc.

What are the missions of a big data consultant?

Positively impacting a company's revenue

The big data consultant must know how to use the data collected and exploit it to achieve three objectives:

  • Increase company revenue
  • Keep costs down
  • Offering competitive advantages.

These three objectives are linked, but the first is put into action by using data for the marketing department.

The second is put into action by the use of data intended, for example, for the production line, with the aim of rationalizing manufacturing processes.

The third can be put into action by providing data relating to the optimal setting of the selling price of a product or service.

All of these changes can only be implemented if the big data consultant manages to guide the management in its decision-making.

Coordinate teams around a project

The big data consultant acts as a link between marketers, technicians, and those responsible for evaluating the budget allocated to the automation project.

These often have data, such as the size of the targeted market, which makes it possible to assess the expected return on investment of the changes requested from the big data consultant.

Participate in meetings with management

The big data consultant attends all meetings with management, aimed at developing the algorithm to make it more efficient.

Thus, during these meetings, the company's management presents to the big data consultant the features that its members want to see implemented in the software.

Ensure the client owns the software

The big data consultant's mission is to deliver a functional solution to the company that employs them. They are therefore responsible for helping the human resources department to write job advertisements aimed at hiring:

  • Engineers,
  • Machine learning specialists,
  • UX (user experience) developers.

Therefore, the big data consultant needs to deliver software that works, is easy to deploy, and ensure that a team can manage it.

What are the skills of a big data consultant?

  • Autonomy
  • Creativity
  • Enthusiasm
  • Knowing how to stay up-to-date with technical and technological changes
  • Mastering coding in R and Python
  • Understanding mathematics for model comprehension
  • Being able to work as a team with developers in the operationalization of models
  • Be eager to learn
  • Be passionate about data
  • Knowing how to get specialists to work as a team

How to ace your Big Data consultant interview?

The profession is looking for big data consultants who are truly passionate about researching and using data.

So, candidates who've done data mining as part of a personal project are especially appreciated. Here, data analysis focuses on everyday situations to make projections (like in sports or finance).

How much does a big data consultant earn?

  • Beginner: €36,000 gross per year
  • Senior: €45,000 gross per year
  • Expert: €66,000 gross per year

What are the career prospects for a big data consultant?

After a few years of experience and major projects, the big data consultant can apply for positions such as:

  • IT Service Manager
  • Project owner
  • Director of studies
  • Information Systems Director
  • Etc
Written by our expert Cyril SCHWASTIAK
october 18, 2022

What are the 5 Vs of big data?

  • Volume

    1. Volume

    The big data consultant is in charge of processing very large quantities of data.

  • Value

    2. Value

    The big data consultant must carefully select the data to be processed in order to adapt it as closely as possible to the company's needs.

  • Variety

    3. Variety

    There are several sources of data that need to be gathered in order to draw a complete analysis.

  • Speed

    4. Velocity

    Since online data speeds are very high, it's essential to update them very regularly, even instantly, to ensure they're accurate.

  • Truthfulness

    5. Truthfulness

    To ensure that major decisions are only made based on real data, it is important to distinguish them from invalid data collected.

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Frequently asked questions

How can a big data consultant benefit companies?
Chevron
The big data consultant enables companies to: streamline manufacturing processes and make economies of scale, target advertising campaigns according to user behavior, implement automation processes, analyze data to make projections (market trends, etc.) and deploy a solution that meets the expectations of a company's management.
What qualities are needed to be a good big data consultant?
Chevron
Be passionate about data, stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, be creative, know how to work with specialists in a team, and always seek to learn.
What are the salary prospects for a big data consultant?
Chevron
€36,000 to €66,000 depending on experience level.
What studies should I pursue to become a big data consultant?
Chevron
A university Master's degree is mandatory in one of the following fields: Computer Science; Economics with a specialization in statistics; Big data.