In April 2016, a panel of Big Data experts identified the big data skills, knowledge and behaviors of a “Data Practitioner” that are needed in the workplace. The panelists represent a diverse array of industries, including biotechnology, finance, law enforcement, health care, agriculture, and public policy. The resulting “Profile of the Data Practitioner” has been used by EDC and its community college partners to design and build course and programs leading to big data careers. The profile has also informed performance rubrics that serve as an assessment framework to assist instructors in evaluating student proficiency in big data skills.
Who is the “Data Practitioner?” The Data Practitioner, in service of an organization and/or stakeholders, supports the data life cycle by collecting, transforming, and analyzing data, and communicating results in order to inform and guide decision-making.