You're part of a data mining team. What skills are you missing?

2 Data Analysis Skills

Data mining is not just about applying algorithms and models. It also involves exploring, cleaning, transforming, and interpreting the data. Data analysis skills include using descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, data visualization, and storytelling. As a data miner, you need to be able to perform exploratory data analysis to understand the data characteristics, identify the data problems, and generate the data questions. You also need to be able to communicate your findings and recommendations to the stakeholders using clear and compelling visualizations and narratives.

3 Data Science Skills

Data mining is closely related to data science, which is the field of applying scientific methods and principles to solve data-driven problems. Data science skills include using machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and deep learning. As a data miner, you need to be familiar with the basic concepts and techniques of data science, such as supervised and unsupervised learning, classification and regression, clustering and association, dimensionality reduction and feature engineering, model evaluation and validation, and model deployment and monitoring. You also need to be able to collaborate with data scientists to select the appropriate methods and tools for the data mining tasks.

4 Data Management Skills

Data mining is not a one-time activity. It involves managing the data lifecycle, from collection to disposal. Data management skills include following the data governance, security, privacy, and ethics policies and standards. As a data miner, you need to be aware of the data sources, formats, owners, and users. You also need to be able to comply with the data regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, and protect the data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

5 Interpersonal Skills

Data mining is a team effort. It requires working with diverse and multidisciplinary people, such as business users, domain experts, project managers, and developers. Interpersonal skills include being respectful, cooperative, empathetic, and adaptable. As a data miner, you need to be able to build rapport and trust with your team members, understand their perspectives and needs, and resolve conflicts and disagreements. You also need to be able to give and receive feedback, and learn from your mistakes and successes.

6 Communication Skills

Data mining is a communication process. It involves sharing and exchanging information, ideas, and insights with different audiences, such as technical, non-technical, internal, and external. Communication skills include being clear, concise, accurate, and engaging. As a data miner, you need to be able to use various modes and channels of communication, such as verbal, written, visual, and online. You also need to be able to tailor your message and style to the audience, purpose, and context, and use appropriate tone, language, and terminology.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?