Few Things about Data science

Data science was developed to handle the flood of big data engulfing the world. A blend of statisticians, computer scientists and creative thinkers, data scientists have the:

• Skills to collect, process and extract value from giant and diverse data sets
• Imagination to understand, visualize and communicate their findings to non-data scientists
• Ability to create data-driven solutions that boost profits, reduce costs and even help save the world

Data scientists work in every industry – from the Defense Department to Internet start-ups to financial institutions – and tackle big data projects on every level.
One of the most popular jobs of the 21st century is only getting better. A McKinsey report estimates that by 2018, the U.S. could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 data scientists and 1.5 million managers and analysts who understand how to use big data to make decisions. Do you have to invest in a master’s degree? Not necessarily. Plenty of successful data scientists launched their careers with a B.S. and a hefty handful of skills. However, as data problems become more complex, many big companies are demanding advanced degrees. Some of the industries employing data scientists include:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Computer Software
• Internet
• Research
• IT and Services
• Biotechnology

They may pay you good money for your efforts. Silicon Valley salaries for entry-level data scientists can reach six figures (see this article).

Schools Offering Master’s Programs in Data Science

Ready to make the leap? In our annotated list of great schools, you’ll find information on each program’s:

• Location and length
• Full-time, part-time and online options
• Concentrations and majors
• Courses, internships and real-world opportunities

Look for quality. Universities are scrambling to offer new degrees, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be worth the investment. Research the background of the program and professors. Search for solid partnerships with businesses and research institutions. Ask about job placement figures. You deserve a practical qualification.

Data Science Industries

Focusing on a particular industry? We’ve created a reference for past, present and future to help you prepare for what’s ahead. On each industry page, you’ll discover:

• A condensed history of data science within the field
• Current opportunities and developments
• Examples of vendors and big data projects
• Data-related risks and regulations

We don’t discuss many typical day-to-day tasks or job titles primarily because these vary widely among employers. Indeed, the first requirement on many job listings isflexibility.

Data Science Blog

Need more guidance? Grab a cup of coffee and browse our data science blog. We’ve included articles such as:

• Data Scientist Foundations
• Open Source Tools for Big Data Analysis
• New Technologies in Data Science

They’re all designed to provide you with a practical knowledge base to help launch your career.

Software testing market trends

1. Testing in agile: Today, most of the organizations requirement fast and responsive Quality assurance testing services integrated with agile development methods. Today, Agile adoption stands at the highest priority for most of the industries today, agile test approach being a part of it.
2. Flexible pricing models:  Today, there cannot be “one size fits all” pricing model for all types of services. The pricing models not only vary according to the services, test use cases but also on the region and the clients. The models can vary from pay per use, use case based, outcome based, time and material etc.
3. Crowdsourcing:  This model is driven by specialized testing services , crowdsourcing is gaining traction in the market due to more of localization and less need for specific knowledge. Hence there is low cost involved which makes ti easily adaptable.
4. Service virtualization and Testing is about continuous Quality:  “Testing tools that capture, model, and simulate application behavior to test the functional and nonfunctional behavior of applications in a simulated production environment” – Forrester
5. Service virtualization is similar to devops model and hence leads to faster development and testing of complex application scenarios. It is best suited for complex environments in order to reduce obstacles to testing, simulating production environments and decoupling integration dependencies.  
6. Cloud to be the driving force in testing market:  In order to deal with the upcoming IT infrastructure issues with booming technologies, testing on cloud or testing cloud can provide on demand testing services which enables handling of projects that are critical in nature and require faster time to market.
7. Cloud testing incorporates automated testing tools and covers beyond functional testing.
8. Mobility defining the next generation testing requirements:
9. With the proliferation of mobile devices there is a need to ensure that the quality of testing has to be standardized. With the boom in mobile industry, the expectation is that there will be a hike in the mobile testing tools in the near future. Mobile testing services can include mobile application testing, mobile device testing and enterprise mobility and systems integration testing services. Mobile application testing services can include  test planning and advisory, test scope definition, test case development, test case execution, regression testing, system testing, end to end testing, user acceptance testing, automation testing etc.  Mobile testing services are going to change the landscape of testing in the near future.
10. Automation and Standardization: With the increase in focus on faster time to market and shorter delivery time, the practice will incline towards creating standard tools and accelerators that shorten project timelines and reduce the risk factor.  Also, with the increased demand of more for less among CIOs, automation and reusability is emerging as the hot buttons of testing services.

Software Businesses in Future

1. Data crunching. The era of big data is just getting started, with many firms eager to tap vast new databases to gather more info on their customers, their competitors, and even themselves. The challenge isn't just crunching numbers; it's making sense of them, and gaining useful insights that can be translated into a business edge. Marketing and market research are two growing fields where the use of data is exploding.

2. Counseling and therapy. There's now widespread recognition that mental health is as important as physical health, which is likely to increase demand for professionals in this field. The BLS expects the need for marriage and family therapists, as one example, to grow 41 percent by 2020.

3. Scientific research. New technology will continue to generate breakthroughs in medicine, manufacturing, transportation, and many other fields, which means there will be strong demand for workers schooled in biology, chemistry, math, and engineering. Some areas that show particular promise: biotechnology and biomedicine, nanotechnology, robotics, and 3D printing, which allows the manufacture of physical products from a digital data file.

4. Computer engineering. A lot of software development is done overseas these days, but the need for high-level computer experts able to tie systems together is still strong. In finance and investing, for instance, high-speed computing is increasingly a prime competitive advantage. And most big companies will need networks that are faster, more seamless, and more secure.

5. Veterinarians. Pets are more popular than ever, and some of them get medical care that's practically fit for a human. The BLS expects the need for vets to rise 36 percent by 2020.

6. Environmental and conservation science. Making better use of the planet's resources will be essential as population growth strains existing infrastructure. Green energy, despite some political controversy, still seems likely to boom. Developers need more efficient ways to heat and cool buildings. And dealing with global warming may require new technology not even on the drawing board yet.

7. Some healthcare fields. It's well-known that the aging of the baby boomers will require more caregivers in many specialties. Some healthcare jobs tend to be low-paying, with a lot of workers flocking to what are supposed to be "recession-proof" fields. And the need to lower overall healthcare costs could pinch some doctors, hospital workers, and diagnosticians. But demand should be strong for nurses, optometrists, audiologists, dentists, physical therapists, and some doctor specialists.

8. Management. The boss earns a lot for good reason: His job isn't as easy as it might seem. Effective management in the future will require basic business knowledge plus the ability to oversee operations in many locations and countries, and some technical know-how. Anybody who can improve a unit's performance while lowering costs should rise quickly. The BLS and IBISWorld also expect growing demand for some support fields such as human relations, benefits administration, and event planning.

9. Finance. The movement and management of money is technically complex, and integral to most companies. Plus, nontraditional investing firms such as hedge funds and private-equity firms are likely to grow as the traditional banking sector complies with new regulations and reins in risk-taking. That means there will be more need for finance experts. There may even be a shortage as students once interested in finance veer into other fields, turned off by the 2008 financial crisis and the vilification of banks.

10. Entrepreneurship. It's often overlooked, but the need for innovators running their own businesses could be more important than ever in 2020. Forecasters expect strong growth in traditional businesses such as used-car dealers, hair and nail salons, pet grooming, and office services, which means anybody able to come up with better, cheaper ways to serve customers will reap a windfall. Technology startups will no doubt keep changing the way consumers work and live. And nobody really knows what the next iPad, Twitter, or Pinterest will be—except, perhaps, some entrepreneur who's dreaming about it right now.