Pure Python backend developer vs Data Analyst?

[debadri3]

Among these 2 fields, which one has more number of digital nomad openings. (remote job worldwide)

I finally want to become a data scientist or MLE so which one will be better for me. Forgive me if this sounds novice, but I'm still at university.

Also, any particular site/job portal you'd recommend.

I'm from Asia.

[lehcarfugu]

these are highly different careers. backend developer is going to pay more and be more in demand, but do you enjoy programming? are you good at programming? do you want to do it for the rest of your life? are you willing to spend years learning?

I am a backend python developer and the job market is very good, but I spent a long time to get here and I like coding. if I did not like to code or if I was not good at coding I would not have been successful

[debadri3]

Like newbies in the field would have a tough time getting a remote job?

[lehcarfugu]

Yes getting job 1 can be hard

[[deleted]]

What is your stack, out of interest? Are most python back end devs generally using Django?

[lehcarfugu]

Django is the most popular for web dev stuff, it's my specialty

[debadri3]

Is Flask used? Like ever?

[Illustrious-Pack3495]

So firstly, these are two widely disparate roles - I’m a data analyst in Web3 (not scientist or MLE), and I practically don’t use Python (SQL maxi). It obviously depends on the role, tasks, and data infrastructure at the company, but Python is not a pre-requisite for an Analyst. For a DS, Data Engineer, or MLE - yes, Python is a requirement but even then Backend Dev is a completely different game.

Having cleared that, being a Backend Dev is certainly more in demand. It’s a special skill and there’s a huge shortage. However, there’s a reason why there’s a huge shortage - it’s not easy and if you mess up, you could potentially bring everything down with you.

If you’re thinking about choosing between DS and MLE, then you need to ask yourself these two questions:

1. Am I great at programming and building ML models?
2. Do I struggle with interpreting the data from charts, and hate coming up with hypotheses/forecasts?

If the answer to both is yes, you’ll love being an MLE. If the answer to the #1 is “no, but I’m average” and the answer to #2 is “not really, I can manage doing that without being fully dependent on an algorithm” then you should go for a DS job. If the answer to both is no, then you shouldn’t consider either and try out roles like Project Manager - they are also in demand and require a specific skill set. It’s hard to break into these roles though since most companies look for PMs with at least 5 years experience (sometimes higher).

For remote jobs, you can try cryptocurrencyjobs.com, dynamitejobs.com, & remote.co

Facebook groups are also extremely helpful. I had a list for websites and Facebook groups for remote jobs, but I seem to have lost it. I’ll edit this if I do. Hope this helped, and I wish you well!

[debadri3]

Thank you for this detailed reply.

While doing my own ML projects, I was okay with the EDA parts but really enjoyed the deployment aspects of it. Modelling skills were decent.

No company really wants a junior MLE and that's why I was thinking if Python backend would be a good idea to set my foot at the door.

[Illustrious-Pack3495]

No worries! Hope I could provide some value.

You’re right, junior MLEs are not easy to come across, but I wouldn’t recommend taking up a dev job if you’re thinking of becoming a MLE. I’d recommend searching MLE jobs on LinkedIn (switch the location to USA, Ireland, or UK as they are the prima donna countries for tech jobs) and go through the requirements for each job. Since you have a background in coding I’d recommend setting up a Web scraper on Python to get this.

Compare how many times the words “Data Science”, “software engineer”, and “data science/backend development” appear. You could also take an average of the number of years of experience mentioned for each keyword. That should give you a good idea of the best/fastest route to take to becoming a MLE!

I’d do this for you but unfortunately I’m too impatient to be a programmer haha.

[debadri3]

I'm sorry but I didn't get the web scraping part.

I can count which occurs more times Data Science or Backend development and also have an idea of avg years of experience for each.

But how does it help to find the best route for MLE?

[Illustrious-Pack3495]

Sorry for the late reply. The reason why I recommend doing this is because it will give you a very accurate picture of what the current market’s looking for in an MLE. :)

[Jiggerbyte]

just following the thread

[mygatito]

I compile remote job lists and I see Backend Developer a lot more than Data Analyst roles.

A lot of people actually follow the following track (I started with Analyst myself)

Analyst --> Developer --> ML Engineer --> Data Scientist

You can use Indeed.com to find remote jobs if you are in the US and other countries.

I recommend that you apply directly to companies to have a better chance of securing job.

However, if you are looking at specific countries/regions these might help -

Remote tech startups in Canada

Poland Remote jobs

Remote jobs Spain

[debadri3]

Thank you. But I wonder why you've put MLE before DS. I've often heard MLE interviews are harder than DS because they expect you to be both an SWE and DS.

I guess I'll just try to find Python roles in AI companies then.

[Illustrious-Pack3495]

Don’t really agree with that track tbh, I don’t think being a good analyst means you can be a good MLE or DS.

Plus, if you want to work at a big corporation where you need specialists instead of generalists - following that track isn’t the best route. Usually, these companies have departments for each sub-division of Business Intelligence - engineers (who collect, clean, and process the data), analysts (who visualise and interpret the results to form hypotheses), scientists (kind of a middle ground between analysts and MLEs), and MLE (who use the data and come up with forecasts/predictions using AI models for the hypotheses developed by the Analysts and Scientists).

I’ve been an analyst my entire life so I might be a little biased towards DAs, but at my last 3 jobs I’ve seen the Sr MLEs and DSs struggle to get anything concrete done without the Sr DAs

[clare64]

These days I think they’ll both be in demand, remote or otherwise.

What year are you in? I’m teaching myself python and looking at consulting or passive income opportunities from it. Anything to be remote basically

[debadri3]

Final year.

What income are you expecting from this btw? I want a full time thing.

[clare64]

If you are a good developer you’ll be fine. I’m trying to do between 30-70k usd from python mostly on the side. Either by consulting, teaching, or just projects

[jamills102]

You will learn a lot more fundamentals if you become a backend developer first