Training data scientists is hard work
From: http://www.clomedia.com/2016/06/09/booz-allen-hamilton-builds-data-scientists-from-scratch
A management consultancy firm found they needed data scientists, but
"The talent we needed didn’t exist in the marketplace, so we decided to
build it."
This wasn't an easy task:
"The team determined that a boot camp-style program wouldn’t be enough; candidates needed intensive training to translate their basic math, science and computer skills into data science expertise. “Our clients don’t need someone with two weeks of training in Python, they need experts.”
So the company built a 12-month intensive program, with a cohort-driven approach where small groups could move together as a team through the curriculum. Lanier’s team designed the program in nine months, hosting weekly meetings with key stakeholders to set goals, develop curriculum, and identify mentors and teachers.
For companies interested in replicating the program, Leary said to secure executive sponsorship, get commitment from experts across the company to teach and mentor participants, and understand the time and energy it will take to pull it off. “You have to be realistic about the time commitment, for students and the functional experts supporting them,” she said.
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