Data science is growing, with data mining being the new Gold Rush of the digital age. As such, data science events have been appearing across the map. Whether you’re an aspiring data scientist, someone new to the field, or an expert who is always striving for improvement, you may be curious about some of the events you see.
However, whether these conferences are worth it is the bigger question. Sure, you can learn more about data mining, possibly network with people, and be in a convention of like-minded people, but just as there are plenty of reasons to attend them, there are some good reasons not to as well. Besides the cost, some events end up being useless, or the person going is treated like an outsider.
In this article, we’ll cover misconceptions about data science events, why you should consider going, and what you can expect if you go to one.
Why people don’t want to go
There are plenty of reasons why some don’t want to go to a data science event. Sometimes, the concern is legitimate, and other times, it’s just misinformation. Here are some common reasons.
Money
Perhaps the most obvious reason, especially to a young and aspiring data scientist, not to go to a conference is the cost. Depending on where the conference is, you may need to get a plane ticket, or take a road trip in order to make it. You then need a place to stay at, and some of the hotels, whether it’s the host hotel or nearby, don’t run cheap. Unless you’re rooming with a lot of people or have a friend nearby, hotels can be costly, with hidden fees and taxes to top that off with.
Then there’s the cost of entering the convention, the price of taking a workshop, maybe buying some merchandise, getting food, the list goes on.
Events cost money, and you need to budget and make sure you have enough. When picking a hotel, see if there’s a discount for the event you’re staying at, or if there’s a cheaper place to stay nearby. Airbnb is another good option. Go to the event’s website and see the costs of everything. Ask a few people who have gone to similar events how much they ended up spending. Bring your own food instead of eating out. There are ways to save money.
Time
Another reason people don’t go is because they think they’re a waste of time. These conferences can last an entire weekend, and some people may not have the days off to go, and don’t want to spend vacation time on it. This is certainly understandable, but if you want to improve your career, you do need to take time off to make the effort to advance further. Having a relaxing weekend is great, but improving your life is better.
Besides, you can turn it into a mini-vacation of sorts. See if there are any places nearby that are worth visiting, whether it’s touristy spots or unique experiences.
It’s stuff you already know
This will all depend on your skill level, of course. Some conferences will offer something for every level, from beginner miners to veterans. Others will be exclusive for one skill level or the other. If you’re new to the data mining world, you may feel intimidated going to a conference filled with veterans. If you’re a veteran, you may be bored at a conference that seems like it’s filled with newbies who are looking to network. Make sure you study the event to know exactly what you’re getting into.
No one wants to network
If you’re going to an event to network with others, you may find yourself let down if you go after the wrong people. Want to network with the guest speaker? So do thousands of others, so get in line. Want to network or sell to other people, but don’t have anything to offer? You may find yourself ignored.
We will discuss this further, but you need to have a plan if you’re going to network. You can’t walk in, business cards a blazing, and expect people to exchange unless you know what you’re doing.
These are all completely understandable concerns, but your worries can be quelled if you research, plan, and budget. With that said, here are some reasons why you should go to these conferences.
Why these data science conferences are worth it
They’re icebreakers
Not all of us can meet strangers and be friends with them. Some of us are awkward when it comes to meeting new people. We don’t know what to say, what to talk about, and what we have in common. With data science conferences, and any other convention for that matter, we all have something in common. These events can encourage social interaction. The environment is not as formal, everyone wants to talk, and as long as you say hello to someone in a friendly manner, you should get some results.
They’re centered around one passion
When you are in a conference for a specific thing, the conference tends to go into all the nuances of the passion. With data science, you can study data science as a whole, or find panels that deal with something more specific, such as what the data collected from Netflix shows about people.
And it’s not hard to figure out if the event offers something you’re interested in. Their websites usually contain a schedule of what panels and speakings you can attend, and you can certainly make a schedule based on what you want to see and do.
They keep you in the loop
When you’re interested in any field that’s technology-based, things change, and fast. New technologies make mining easier. There are new fields for data miners popping up left and right. And then there is the future. What advances are just over the horizon?
Even though the future is never certain, knowing what is to come can help keep you above everyone else. Staying up to date is just one reward these conferences can give you.
Asking questions
At conferences, there are no stupid questions. There are plenty of questions data scientists want to ask the experts, and at guest speaker panels, they usually take some time to answer questions. There are also meetups you can attend to ask questions too. When you come to these conferences, have some questions ready. Study the speakers and see what questions you think they could answer. Don’t struggle to think of a question during the panel, and then be kicking yourself because the perfect question came as soon as the speaker walked off the stage.
Networking!
Perhaps the biggest reason people go to data science events, or any other event centered around a profession, is to network. You can meet potential employers who would be very interested in hiring you. Or if you’re an entrepreneur, you can find someone with similar goals, and then suddenly you have a thriving business with them. Or you can find someone who has done it all, and they can offer your wisdom.
However, you need to stand out if you want to be noticed, and you can definitely start networking before the event even happens. Go to a forum centered around the event you’re attending, such as a Facebook group, and talk to the people there. Figure out what your passion is, and present it to people who have the same goals. Print out business cards. Pass out fliers. Do not just go to the event unprepared and then complain that no one wants to talk to you. You’re a data scientist! You can collect data on the people who are attending and use it to your advantage.
So as you can see, the good that comes from these data events far outweighs the bad. As long as you study the event and have a plan to network, you’ll be able to get as much out of the event as possible. You can come as someone who is decent at being a data scientist, and come out as an expert. You can come as a complete newbie and leave with dozens of interested employers or clients. As long as you know what you want, you won’t leave unhappy.
Conclusion
Are data science events worth it? Yes, they are. They can help you network with other people, let you meet people who can answer all your questions, and they’re just great places to meet people who are like minded.
For those who have concerns, reconsider and give an event a shot. Here are some ways to survive.
- Research the event beforehand. Know who is coming, how much you’re expected to pay, and talk to some people beforehand. Don’t go to an event alone.
- Budget accordingly. Don’t spend more than you have to, and look for deals whenever possible. Going to this event and not coming out in the red is doable.
- Make sure you have something to bring. Be it business cards, fliers, or anything else you can bring to attract attention.
- Go in confident, but not too confident. You probably won’t befriend the guest speaker, but you can find a mentor or a potential business partner.
Those are some ways to prepare yourself for the event. As a data scientist, you should look for a data event you’re interested in and study it. Go to a forum and talk to people who are attending. Read some reviews. Budget accordingly. Then, make a plan. By attending these events prepared, you’ll come out knowing more than you ever imagined.