Big data crunching is the new job creator

Jobs aplenty are in store for those interested in some serious number crunching and analysis.

Big data analytics—handling and analysing large volumes of data, is growing by leaps and bounds, calling for some specialised skill-sets.

The market for big data and analytics is expected to be $1 billion by 2015, from around $200 million last year, IT sector body Nasscom and research firm Crisil estimate.

The growth, say experts, has the potential of generating some 37,000-50,000 jobs in the same time period, which is approximately 15-20% of the 2.5 lakh jobs that analytics as a whole are expected to create.

“Alongside the growth in big data analytics, the ecosystem for manpower will also develop. Available talent has to be further trained and re-skilled,” says Amit Chatterjee, country director, HP software, India.

Since big data involves handling large data, collating that data, ensuring that applications are secure and the data is not compromised, professionals have to be trained specifically in various technologies that assist in the same.

And firms from all domains including banking, research, financial services, retail, telecom, healthcare and IT; all of whom have huge amounts of data, will be needing trained professionals.

Gaurav Vohra, co-founder of city-based Jigsaw Academy that trains professionals in analytics, says graduates from any stream with adequate knowledge of Java, and with a quantitative bent of mind can be trained to become business analysts or data scientists.

“While jobs like software development and programming have reached the saturation level, analytics jobs are yet to scale the peak. Thus, the demand is more and pay hikes are higher,” said Vohra.

So within three to five years of experience as an analyst or scientist, an individual can draw anywhere between Rs8-12 lakh per year. This can then go upto Rs14 lakh in another five years time. These numbers spell some solace in the otherwise gloomy times.