If you’re a data scientist currently looking for employment, thankfully there are plenty of different avenues that you can explore. Depending on what exactly you do within your chosen field, your ideal work environment may look different compared to that of the other data scientists. In your search for various Data Science job opportunities, you may have even wondered if a Data Scientist can actually work from home.
You can easily work from home as a data scientist, and Data Science actually sits among the top jobs that can be done remotely. Usually, all the work that needs to be done happens through the online system that you use, which can be easily accessed from anywhere, including your own home’s comfort.
In this article, we’ll be going in-depth into how you can successfully find remote work as a data scientist, how to effectively work remotely, and many other factors that you should consider before choosing to work from home. If you’re interested in exploring more about these subjects, this article will surely help provide some insights for a better perspective.
Important Sidenote: We interviewed numerous data science professionals (data scientists, hiring managers, recruiters – you name it) and identified 6 proven steps to follow for becoming a data scientist. Read my article: ‘6 Proven Steps To Becoming a Data Scientist [Complete Guide] for in-depth findings and recommendations! – This is perhaps the most comprehensive article on the subject you will find on the internet!
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How to Find Remote Jobs for Data Scientist?
As mentioned above, working from home as a data scientist is definitely doable, and it’s quite common. Working remotely as a data scientist is actually one of the top jobs in 2020 that can be done remotely.
Data science is an ever-growing profession, making these jobs and professionals in high demand. Seeing how data scientists are able to perform most of their job online, it’s easy to see how this job can be done remotely.
Below, we’ll explore more in-depth into how you can successfully locate data science jobs that will give you the flexibility to work from home.
Check Out Freelance Job Boards
There are so many job boards available to data scientists who are looking for remote work. If you’re looking for freelance or contractor based work, there are plenty of job boards out there made specifically for you. Here are some:
- AngelList is a great place to start if you’re looking for remote work within the realm of data science. This site will easily connect with some of the top startups and freelance jobs within the exact niche you’re searching for.
- Freelancer is another popular site that will easily connect you with exactly the kind of work you’re looking for. For being one of the most popular freelancing platforms, hundreds of new jobs and projects are posted every hour, so you’ll be sure to find a match for you and your skills.
- Peopleperhour is another great source to find jobs for data scientists. Getting started is simple and easy, and it won’t take you long to find a job that piques your interest on this site. Just simply click on a job that best fits your set of skills, and send the advertiser a proposal.
Nowadays, there’s an abundance of freelance job boards available to those who are looking to work from home. Seeing how high in-demand data scientists are, it shouldn’t take you too long to find an opportunity that will allow you to work remotely within the area you know best.
Apply on Company Websites
If you have your eye on a specific company you’d like to collaborate with, you need to head over to their company website to see if you can directly apply there.
This is another great way to get your name out there and find remote work as a data scientist. Sometimes it can be hard to tell how old certain job postings are on certain job boards, so some prefer to reach out to the company on their business website instead.
You can always email a higher up to communicate that you’re interested in working with them and that you’d make a valuable asset to their team if the company you’re interested in reaching out to doesn’t have a specific ‘apply here’ button.
Taking the time to reach out to multiple different companies on numerous different platforms is key to finding a remote job within data science.
Don’t Be Afraid to Network
Networking is such a great way to get employers to notice you and remember your name. Hundreds of people submit their resumes and qualifications through job board listings every day, so how do you stand out?
Reaching out to companies through LinkedIn and other professional network platforms is a great way to get your name and face out there, and to showcase the skills that you specialize in. Taking the time to follow and reach out to the right individuals is the best way to land data science jobs that will allow you to work comfortably from home.
Another great way to network is through in-person meetups, events, and conferences. If you’re looking for a way to build connections and meet potential future employers face to face, this is an ideal way to do so.
Factors You Should Be Mindful of When Working From Home as a Data Scientist
Now that we’ve gone over how you can successfully locate and secure a remote job as a data scientist. Let’s discuss some factors you should be aware of before making this transition.
While working from home may seem like a walk in the park, there are plenty of components that one should be aware of before working remotely. Below, we’ll explore what you should be mindful of before you begin working from home.
Difficulties With Communication
Communicating important information with a team from a distance can be challenging, so that’s something to be mindful of.
Since you’re not physically in the room with whoever you’re speaking with, this may pose a challenge in terms of what you’re able to convey from afar successfully. While you can still easily communicate with your team online, communication may become fuzzled and slowed down thanks to the distance between you and your team.
Having Self Motivation
Another factor to be mindful of when working from home is the lack of motivation that may creep around the corner. You may feel more responsible and productive working in an office, as there’s always someone present looking over your shoulder to ensure that you’re on task.
When working from home, the only person who watches over you and your work ethic is you. It can become easy to fall behind because of this, so it’s important to be mindful of this component.
To keep yourself motivated while working from home—it’s ideal to stick to a strict schedule to keep yourself accountable and on task.
Creating a Work/Life Balance for Yourself
While working from home, it can become increasingly difficult to separate work life from home life, seeing how both of these factors exist within the same space.
That’s why it’s so important to create a strict schedule with yourself in order to keep yourself on track. It’s also ideal to physically separate both your work activities and your leisure activities, to create a healthy balance.
Create separate spaces for both home life and work-life in order not to mix the two. Being mindful of all these factors is key to creating an ideal space where you can work from home successfully as a data scientist.
Author’s Recommendations: Top Data Science Resources To Consider
Before concluding this article, I wanted to share few top data science resources that I have personally vetted for you. I am confident that you can greatly benefit in your data science journey by considering one or more of these resources.
- DataCamp: If you are a beginner focused towards building the foundational skills in data science, there is no better platform than DataCamp. Under one membership umbrella, DataCamp gives you access to 335+ data science courses. There is absolutely no other platform that comes anywhere close to this. Hence, if building foundational data science skills is your goal: Click Here to Sign Up For DataCamp Today!
- IBM Data Science Professional Certificate: If you are looking for a data science credential that has strong industry recognition but does not involve too heavy of an effort: Click Here To Enroll Into The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate Program Today! (To learn more: Check out my full review of this certificate program here)
- MITx MicroMasters Program in Data Science: If you are at a more advanced stage in your data science journey and looking to take your skills to the next level, there is no Non-Degree program better than MIT MicroMasters. Click Here To Enroll Into The MIT MicroMasters Program Today! (To learn more: Check out my full review of the MIT MicroMasters program here)
- Roadmap To Becoming a Data Scientist: If you have decided to become a data science professional but not fully sure how to get started: read my article – 6 Proven Ways To Becoming a Data Scientist. In this article, I share my findings from interviewing 100+ data science professionals at top companies (including – Google, Meta, Amazon, etc.) and give you a full roadmap to becoming a data scientist.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored how data scientists can easily work from home, as well as other factors you should be aware of before choosing to work remotely.
We went over multiple different avenues you can explore while searching for a remote job as a data scientist. From applying to postings on job boards to going out of your way to network, there are several ways to connect with others within your field.
We also discussed different factors you should be aware of before deciding to work remotely. For one, it’s important to set a strict schedule with yourself, as it’s easy to get behind on your work when there’s no one there holding you accountable.
Now that you have all the tools you need to succeed, you can start working from home as a data scientist in no time.
BEFORE YOU GO: Don’t forget to check out my latest article – 6 Proven Steps To Becoming a Data Scientist [Complete Guide]. We interviewed numerous data science professionals (data scientists, hiring managers, recruiters – you name it) and created this comprehensive guide to help you land that perfect data science job.
Affiliate Disclosure: We participate in several affiliate programs and may be compensated if you make a purchase using our referral link, at no additional cost to you. You can, however, trust the integrity of our recommendation. Affiliate programs exist even for products that we are not recommending. We only choose to recommend you the products that we actually believe in.
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