Introduction

Data is everywhere and ever-growing.

IBM notes that we generate so much data—2.5 quintillion bytes per day 1 —that 90 percent of the world’s data was created in the last two years. Business software intelligence firm Domo breaks it down further, reporting that “Mobile connections alone generate more than 18 million megabytes of data every minute— and that’s just in the U.S.” 2

What does this data tell us? Equally important, how can we use it to improve decision-making and shape the future?

That’s why data scientists and analysts are in such demand. Their ability to identify, extract, and interpret valuable information drives progress and innovation in virtually every industry, every day.