Since 2012, data scientist roles have grown over 650%. Hundreds of companies are hiring for the positions, but only 35,000 people in the U.S. have data science skills. At IBM, data scientists are aggressively recruited for, and yet, there is still a need at the company for more talent. For this reason, IBM is heavily investing in data scientist recruiting, education, and career opportunities. Martin Fleming is the VP, Chief Analytics Officer, and Chief Economist at IBM, and he joins Cheddar to explain why and how IBM is funneling resources into their data scientists. IBM has developed a micro-MBA program that allows employees to continue their education and skill development while on the job. IBM also has been turning to PhD students in different fields like biology, sociology, and chemistry to diversify talent and recruitment. And IBM has also invested in universities like Columbia and MIT to help develop strong programs there.
