• 25
  Jan 2025

• Data Science and Machine Learning Career Roadmap and Pathways

  
  

  Prof. Omprakash Mandge | DSML

Data Science Career Roadmap and Pathways

The analytics and data science sector in India is on a remarkable growth trajectory, with a report from Analytics India Magazine predicting the industry will reach $16 billion by 2025, supported by a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26%. This expansion is fueled by the widespread adoption of data analytics across key industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail.

If you’re contemplating a career in this rapidly expanding field, there’s no better time to start than now. This blog provides a comprehensive guide to data science career prospects, essential skills, a detailed roadmap, and how the MET Institute of Software Development and Research can support your journey toward achieving your aspirations.

Why Pursue a Career in Data Science and Machine Learning in 2025?

The demand for data science and machine learning professionals is surging across various sectors such as finance, healthcare, and retail. Businesses increasingly rely on data experts to analyze vast datasets, extract meaningful insights, and guide critical decisions. The field also offers lucrative salaries and diverse career paths, making it an attractive choice for aspiring professionals.

Data Science Career Pathways

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1. Data Analyst

Role: Collects, processes, and analyzes data to aid business decision-making.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: Python, Excel, Data Visualization
Tools: Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI
Career Path: Data Analyst, Senior Data Analyst, Data Analytics Manager, Director of Data Analytics
Industry Demand: High in finance, retail, and healthcare sectors.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

2. Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Role: Creates dashboards and reports for data-driven decision-making.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: SQL, Data Visualization
Desirable: Business Acumen, Data Analysis
Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker
Career Path: BI Analyst, Senior BI Analyst, BI Manager, Director of BI
Industry Demand: Moderate to High in e-commerce, IT, and banking.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

Data Engineering Pathways

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3. Data Engineer

Role: Builds data infrastructures and ensures efficient data pipelines.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: SQL, ETL, Big Data
Desirable: Cloud Platforms (AWS, GCP)
Tools: Hadoop, Spark, Airflow
Career Path: Data Engineer, Senior Data Engineer, Data Engineering Manager, Chief Data Officer
Industry Demand: Very High in tech, finance, and healthcare.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

4. Big Data Engineer

Role: Processes large-scale data and develops pipelines for massive datasets.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: Big Data, Cloud Computing
Desirable: ETL Processes, Data Warehousing
Tools: Hadoop, Spark, Kafka
Career Path: Big Data Engineer, Lead Data Engineer, Big Data Architect, Chief Data Officer
Industry Demand: High in telecom, retail, and tech sectors.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

Machine Learning Pathways

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5. Data Scientist

Role: Analyzes complex data, builds predictive models, and offers actionable insights.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: Statistics, Machine Learning, Python
Desirable: Data Wrangling, R Programming
Tools: Python, R, Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow
Career Path: Data Scientist, Senior Data Scientist, Lead Data Scientist, Head of Data Science
Industry Demand: Very High in healthcare, finance, and e-commerce.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

6. Machine Learning Engineer

Role: Delivers and deploys machine learning models in production.
Skills Required:

Mandatory: Machine Learning, Cloud Platforms
Desirable: DevOps, Python coding
Tools: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Docker
Career Path: Machine Learning Engineer, Senior ML Engineer, Lead ML Engineer, AI Architect
Industry Demand: Very High in finance, tech, and automotive sectors.
Companies Hiring: Top MNCs

The field of data science offers lucrative career opportunities with competitive salaries across various roles. Entry-level professionals, such as Data Analysts and Business Intelligence Analysts, can expect an average CTC ranging from Rs 3–8 LPA. Mid-level roles like Data Engineers and Machine Learning Engineers earn an average CTC between Rs 8–15 LPA Senior positions, including Data Scientists and Big Data Engineers, can command salaries of Rs 15–20 LPA or higher, depending on expertise and industry demand. With the growing need for data-driven decision-making, these salary packages reflect the immense value data science professionals bring to organizations.

2025 Data Science Career Trends

• Data Scientist (30%): Dominates due to versatility and high demand across industries.
• Machine Learning Engineer (20%): Gains traction with advancements in AI and ML.
• Data Analyst (18%): Popular among beginners for its lower entry barriers.
• Data Engineer (20%): Crucial for infrastructure and big data management.
• Big Data Engineer (10%): Specializes in handling massive datasets.
• BI Analyst (5%): Ideal for those focused on business insights.
• Data Product Manager (2%): A niche but highly rewarding role.

Step-by-Step Data Science Career Roadmap

Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation
Learn the basics of Python, SQL, and statistics while mastering tools like Excel and Tableau.

Step 2: Master Intermediate Skills
Advance data visualization with Tableau and Power BI, deepen your SQL expertise, and explore product analytics.

Step 3: Choose a Specialization
Select from areas like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, or Data Engineering based on your interests.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio and Network
Share projects on platforms like GitHub and Kaggle, participate in hackathons and grow your professional network.

Step 5: Get Job-Ready
Polish your LinkedIn profile, optimize your resume, and prepare for interviews to land your dream job.

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Embarking on a career in data science is both challenging and rewarding. The MET Institute of Software Development and Research offers the guidance, training, and mentorship needed to help you succeed in this dynamic field. Start your journey today!

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