Regarding job opportunities in data science, you might immediately think of data engineers or scientists. However, besides these two famous careers, a data architect is also an ideal option for you in recent years.
Is a data architect worth the job for you to pursue? In this article, let’s check out the advantages and disadvantages of being a data architect to get the most precise answer.
Who is a Data Architect?
Data architects handle a data infrastructure from which to enhance databases and provide measures for their clients. They often have in-depth IT, data design, and computer science knowledge.
Unlike data engineering or related careers, this job does not require you to know algorithms or app development. Instead, expertise will be related to data models.
So, they can work in companies in many fields, including technology, finance, or entertainment.
What skills do a data architect need?
As with any area, to succeed in this career, you will have to master vital soft skills and knowledge, including:
- Planning: This skill will give you a broad perspective of the problem to develop the best solutions. An architect with planning skills will work and achieve higher results with the projects they pursue.
- Data modeling: It is the first skill that you need to master. Engineers in the field need to master concepts and create data bindings.
- Database design: This vital skill lets you get precise and up-to-date information, providing more valuable solutions for your business.
- Some other data working skills: You also need to have to analyze, manage, and deploy related solutions.
- Good use of supporting tools such as Archi, CA ERwin data modeler, and Sparx system.
- Have active communication skills.
Compared to engineers and scientists, data architects specialize in modeling information mining. You should check out the section below if you want to pursue this career but have yet to grasp its pros and cons.
Data architecture is one of the ideal jobs in the IT-related field. When you develop your career in this direction, you will have the great career experiences:
1. It Has A Rapid Growth Rate
In the past, data scientists were the most in-demand data-related experts. People who do this job will handle data warehouses, analysis, and processing.
Today, their role is no longer the same as before. Instead, many companies must model their massive data warehouses rather than analyze them.
In particular, many enterprises have a need to define databases and source management. And only data architects can meet this rather demanding need.
2. Attractive Salary
Data architects help businesses use and store their data. Therefore, those who hold this position are rewarded with relatively high salaries.
On average, in the United States, a data architecture will receive about $108,000/year. New graduates in this field also receive an income of $81,000/year, higher than the average for other occupations.
3. More Important Role in the Future
Data plays a vital role in any company. And now, most mid-sized businesses and above need a data storage strategy.
Shortly, businesses will still need a large number of data engineers to be able to use data for business, internal management, or customer care.
Data architects will contribute much to business growth. So, when pursuing this career, you will face its downsides:
4. Stress
The data architect will be held responsible for any mistakes in the process. They even have to compensate customers for issues in the data system.
People who do this job will often have to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. And to avoid errors, they will be subject to time pressure and workload.
5. Degree Required
Data science is a competitive field. And now, most employers require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. So, if you graduate from a more famous university, you can earn a higher salary for your job.
6. Requires High-Level Strategy
You’ll need a mindset to pursue this career in the long run. Besides, it would help if you upgraded cleaning the local data to achieve the perfect system.
7. Hard To Move Into Other Areas
You will gain much knowledge and skills to work as a data architect. Due to the job nature, you will be very careful with the correct data.
The downside is that you need to get the latest updates related to programming. And it will make it difficult for you to move into new areas.
So, besides ensuring your routine tasks well, remember to hone the related knowledge to be ready for more versatility in your future career.
8. Long Working Hours
Extended hours are a common challenge for many professionals, including data architects. Several factors contribute to long hours in data architecture.
They involve complex and intricate work, such as designing and maintaining databases, building data pipelines, and optimizing data models.
Data architecture projects are often time-bound, with strict deadlines for completion. It means that data architects may need to work long hours to ensure that projects are completed on time.
How to Become a Data Architect?
To become a data architect, you must gain both degrees and skills.
With education, you should have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields. Some employers will be impressed with your resume if you get some certificates from Microsoft, IBM, or MongoDB.
If you want to take the next big step in your career, having a Master’s degree in data design will be one of the pros. With skills, you must firmly know to practice coding, programming, using software systems, and machine learning.
Data architects will be different from data scientists. Instead of just being concerned with data analysis, architects must apply their knowledge to delve deeper into the problem.
Conclusion
Above are some pros and cons of being a data architect. Hopefully, through the sharing in the article, you will know if this ideal job is right for you. Hopefully, you will make the right decision and soon succeed in your chosen career.
Thank you for reading!