Welcome to the Data Paths Career Hub
We hope this hub helps you learn more about data science jobs. From sports to business to fashion to medicine, there is a huge need for people who can work with, analyze, and communicate with data. These careers pay well, and there are many jobs open in Massachusetts and around the country.
What is data science?
If you Google data science, you will find lots of definitions. Here is our 14-word version: Data science involves studying data to gain and share new insights to guide action. And what are data? Data are (often many) pieces of information about anything that we can count or categorize to make sense of the world and ourselves. All kinds of employers need data science workers. Key skills include critical thinking, problem-solving, statistics, coding, creativity, and teamwork. Some data science workers build these skills on the job.
Opportunities for Youth and Adults in Massachusetts
Coming Soon: Bookmark this page and return to explore education, training, and work-based learning opportunities for Massachusetts youth and adults.
Voices from the Data World
Here’s how data science professionals describe the
skills needed for data science:
Are you able to find, collect, organize, clean, annotate, inspect, and visualize key data sets? You need to be able to live and breathe your data set. You need to dig into it like a gardener digging into the soil …it’s the soil from which you’re going to grow your results.
Iain McFadyen, Founder and Principal
Applied Insights Consulting
Can you create a narrative that is compelling enough that people who are not as deeply into the soil of your data as you will be able to understand and appreciate the consequences? It’s a combination of effective visualization, understanding your audience, and then being able to craft a narrative that helps explain why your recommendation is a good recommendation.
Shuba Gopal, Principal, Glean Signals
A core set of critical thinking skills and communications skills are key. Those are not the first things people think about when you mention data science. If you can do those two things many times an employer can teach you the rest…Real world experience working with data is also valuable because data is messy in the real world.
Sally Trabucco, Project Leader/Director, Foundation Medicine
Resource Library
Learn more about data science careers and how to prepare for the field. You’ll find info about salaries, data science jobs, advice on entering the field, and more.
Data Science Career Guide Overview
Website | Discover Data Science
Introduction to different types of careers in the data science field and what qualities a good candidate for these roles needs to possess.
Data Scientist Roadmap – A Complete Guide
Website | GeeksforGeeks
Description of how data science tools are applied in the real world, as well as trends in the field to help you prepare for a career in data science.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists
Website | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Current information about data science jobs in the U.S. including education requirements, job outlook, and average pay.
Data Science Career Roadmap: Jobs and Levels Guide
Article | Coursera
Job-leveling matrix for data science careers, including roles and skills needed to advance from beginner to leader.
Learn About Being a Data Scientist (With Helpful Skills)
Article | Indeed
Discussion about what a data scientist does, the requirements and steps to become one, and other helpful information about this role, including salary and job outlook.
What Does Data Science Look Like in the Classroom?: Student Testimonials
Video | Data Science 4 Everyone
High school students share their experiences with data science programs in the classroom.
I am an Applied Data Scientist
Website | I Am a Scientist
Profile of Tatheer Adnan from the LA County Department of Education that details her motivation and path to becoming an applied data scientist.
How to Land a Data Science Internship with No Experience
Video | 365 Data Science
Practical tips on how to find and secure internships for college students, but also helpful for high school students and others interested in data science.
10 Data Science Jobs You Might Not Have Known Existed
Blog Post | QuantHub
Overview of how professionals use data science in fields like sports, fashion, and healthcare.
Data Analyst vs Data Engineer vs Data Scientist in 2025: Career Guide
Video | codebasics
Overview of different data science options to help you decide the best career path for you.
The Four Types of Data Analysis
Blog Post | Career Foundry
Overview of the the four main types of data analysis—descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive—and why each is useful.
Video | Google
Overview of the skills that data analysts need and career options from an expert in the field.
What is Data Visualization and Why Is It Important?
Blog Post | Career Foundry
Description of the role of data visualization in data analysis and links to common data visualization tools.
10 Data Visualization Jobs with Salaries and Skills
Article | Indeed.com
Information on 10 jobs in the field of data visualization, including average salary information and the skills needed to pursue these careers.
Taking Biotech to a Whole New Level With Data Analytics
Blog Post | Amgen Biotech Experience Program Office
Profile of the career path of one biotech engineer who uses data science skills in her work every day.
10 Ways to Learn Data Science as A High School Student
Article | Veritas AI
Data science learning opportunities for high school students, including online courses and certificate programs (financial aid information included).
Catherine Bond: Data Science as a Pathway to Learning
Blog Post | Amgen Biotech Experience Program Office
Profile of the early career experiences of a data scientist, detailing her journey from Sesame Street to Amgen.
15 Data Science Passion Project Ideas for High School Students
Blog Post | Polygence
Description of what makes a good data science project and 15 potential data science project ideas for high school students.
Bryan Yee: Unlocking New Questions Through Data Science
Blog Post | Amgen Biotech Experience Program Office
Profile of the career journey of one Amgen employee who uses data science and storytelling in his research and development work.
Data Science Research for High School Students
Guide | Polygence
The A, B, Cs of careers in data science research, from introducing data science terms to identifying data science projects, internships, and courses for high school students.