First 10 Years of Your Data Science Career – A Roadmap

The first decade of your data science career is a journey of exploration, skill-building, and growth. Whether you're just starting out or midway through, having a roadmap helps you stay focused and confident.

Photo by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash

Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of how to evolve from a beginner into a seasoned, high-impact data scientist.

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Years 0–1: Build Your Foundation

Focus on learning the core technical skills and concepts:

• Python & SQL (daily tools)

• Pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn

• Data cleaning, EDA (Exploratory Data Analysis)

• Basic statistics and probability

• Intro to machine learning (regression, classification)

• Version control with Git/GitHub

Goal: Be able to complete small, end-to-end projects.

Bonus:

• Share your learning on LinkedIn or a blog

• Contribute to one open-source project

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Years 2–3: Get Real-World Experience