Data Scientists/ Data Analysts

Overview
Digital information has grown exponentially, and the rise in the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is likely to accelerate this. There is rising demand for Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Data Artists and Data Visualisers who collect, filter, analyse and make sense of a business’s data, turning vast amounts of data into actionable insights that support business decisions. For students considering a career in data science, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore this opportunity.
Job Demand for Data Scientists in Malaysia
Malaysia’s big data analytics market is expected to reach a value of USD1.9 billion by 2025. That’s just one part of the global market with multibillion dollar potential. IDC expects the global big data and business analytics solutions market to be generating USD274.3 billion revenue by 2022.
The Data and Digital Technologies in the country’s Digital Economy Blueprint are major drivers to propel Malaysia’s plans for expansion for the digital driven economy. Data Science expertise will be a high-demand skill in this landscape, and one which is already experiencing remarkable growth in both demand for talent and potential salaries.
Between 3.3 million and 6 million jobs are expected to be created in Malaysia thanks to Industry 4.0. Data science and analysis will continue to a major career growth opportunity in this landscape, as new and expanding data-driven roles power our connected jobs future.
Job Demand According to Multimedia Development Corporation
Malaysia’s national ICT agency Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) has unveiled a plan, supported by seven public and private institutes of higher learning (IHLs), to increase the number of local data scientists from the current 80 to 2000.
Statistics show that there will be about two million job openings for data professionals and that the demand for people with this knowledge and skill will outstrip supply by a ratio of two to one. It’s a global phenomena which is already in motion and Malaysia has set its sights on developing 20,000 data professionals and 2,000 data scientists.
There is a tremendous requirement for Data Scientists and Big Data Specialists worldwide now and in the future, with hundreds of thousands of new job opportunities emerging globally. Job demand as well as salary for qualified Data Scientists or Big Data Professionals in Malaysia is high.
Furthermore, according to the 2019 Emerging Jobs in Malaysia Report by LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, Data Scientists is listed as one of the Top 5. The findings underscore the demand for jobs which require hybrid skills, primarily to help organisations in Malaysia navigate their digital transformation journey. LinkedIn analysed millions of unique, user-input job titles from the last five years, and found that while the top five emerging jobs are all related to technology, many of them require management and communications skills. Their actual roles are varied and diverse, reflecting a labour market that values talent with a hybrid set of complementary skills.
Job Demand for Data Science and Data Analytics in South East Asia
According to a report by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, leaders in both the private sector and public sector feel that data science and analytics will change the face of business and government, but skills shortages continue to delay its adoption and utilization.
The report found that data science and analytics skills are in high demand, but supply is critically low with employers facing severe shortages.
Its projections suggest that between now and 2022, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines will need 20,000, 15,000, and 340,880 data scientists respectively – and the lack of talent will make a severe dent in the way businesses leverage data to transform their digital DNA.
What are the most in demand job Skills in Malaysia?
A report from the Digital Workforce of The Future by LinkedIn revealed that a combination of skills encompassing Big Data, data analytics and web development registered a 21% growth in demand. In Malaysia, the top five in-demand digital skills are:
Big data
Software and user testing
Mobile development
Cloud computing
Software engineering management
What is the Salary for Data Scientists in Malaysia?
Asean Data Analytics Exchange (ADAX) CEO Sharala Axryd believes data professionals such as data engineers, data analysts and data scientists are the “sexiest jobs” of the 21st century. She said that data science fresh graduates can demand starting pay in the range of RM4,000–RM8,000 — making it the highest paid entry level job in the country today. In addition, a experienced professional in the field can demand up to RM15,000 a month.
Many employers are building their teams from ‘scratch’, accepting candidates with entry-level industry experience. The large salary range reported by employers for a data scientist from more than RM 15,000 per month to less than RM 5,000 per month may reflect a lack of precision in defining the role of a data scientist. While compensation will differ by candidate experience and performance, it is important that this role is not undervalued. Data science competencies such as statistical modelling and machine learning require a high education investment which should be recognised.
What are the Requirements for Data Scientists and Data Analysts in Malaysia?
Requirements for data science and analytics jobs are often multidisciplinary and they all require an ability to link analytics to creating value for the organization. The analytics and technology skills vary widely, but candidates must also demonstrate skills related to problem-solving in the workplace, including soft skills such as communication, creativity and teamwork. This holistic skill set is rare, so you should expect to compete fiercely for T-shaped individuals, as they are now often called, meaning those with a principle competency, plus well-honed broad skills to help them cross functions or domains.
Grab Example of How Data Science is Important
Grab’s Wenceslao David joined the company as a data engineer in May 2015, after working as a database administrator for a couple of years. Wenceslao quickly moved up the ranks to become a data scientist in October 2016, and in May last year became a Data Science Lead in the company in Singapore. Along with a team of nearly 50 other data scientists from about 10 countries, Wenceslao is helping Grab develop machine learning algorithms and intelligent systems that can predict traffic, understand customer’s and driver’s preferences, and even contribute to Government initiatives aimed at managing and reducing traffic during peak hours. There’s no denying the fact that data scientists can truly catapult companies into the future. However, there’s not enough talent in the world to support every ambitious company in the market.
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