I'm intersted in Data Mining

[KrikZhou]

Hi Experts,

     Im very intersted in Data, specifically in Data Mining. I want to find a job regards data mining. I have learned data mining methods(concept) like : decision tree, association analysis, regression, classification & prediction, Cluster etc.  But i didn't achieve these mining methods using SAS. Neither i have no idea about what kind of job i can apply.

Can anybody help me : 1 . what should i do as a new in data mining using SAS

                                   2. what kind of job i can find if i want to get involve in this area?

thanks

zhou

[MicheleReister]

Hello!

I can suggest some SAS data mining training classes for you. Check out SAS' Data Mining learning path: SAS Training - Data Mining path

You also might want to consider earning your SAS Certified Predictive Modeler using SAS Enterprise Miner credential.

CNN’s Money Magazine recently highlighted SAS Certification in its October edition. The article titled, “Become a Data Miner,” noted the value of a SAS Certification to help employees boost their pay.

If you have specific questions about which course is right for you, please email training@sas.com and a Curriculum Consultant will be happy to help you.

Good luck!

Michele

[jaredp · Accepted solution]

Because you already know data mining principles, it shouldn't be too hard to pick up a new tool like SAS Enterprise Miner.  I think Michele answers your question #1.

As for question #2, organizations which have a lot of data, customers, or clients are looking for skills like the ones you have.  They want insights from their customer data for a variety of reasons. One job title I see advertised which asks for data mining skills is called "business analyst".  "Data scientist" is another job title that is appearing lately.  I'd search job sites using those terms, plus ones like statistics, modelling, algorithm, predictive, analytics, data, machine learning, analysis, business intelligence, competitive intelligence...

If you know the type of industry you want to work in, then obviously limit your search to those companies.  To name a few organizations, I'm thinking any company with a chain of stores, banks, companies which move a lot of product on their ecommerce site, casinos, automotive companies, insurance companies.  There are even some sophisticated non-profit companies or environmental groups you could work for. 

There are also many consulting firms which you could work for. One thing you might want to do is attend the SAS Global Forum and network, network, network.  Get to know people who go there.  Those connections you make will help you in your job search.

Joining LinkedIn may also help you.

[JasonXin]

Consider certifications. BASE certification is always good idea although it is not directly data mining related. There is modeling certification from SAS as well.

For folks with little data mining job experience, while certification never guarantees success, it adds much credibility to hiring managers. Certification should serve as a starting point, though. Once you get a job, you just practice and progress. There isn't any shortcut or secret.

Whether you go for certification or not, reading real life experience is always good idea. My favorite site is www.lexjanse.com where all the published SAS conference proceedings are there. You can pick out data mining as your subject. Enjoy

Jason Xin

[KrikZhou]

Thank you for your help Michele, jaredp and Jason.

    I think i should get my SAS Base certification first and then SAS Certified Predictive Modeler. This may not guarantee success but it will help me know SAS well and master data mining skills. Job title like 'Data Analyst' or 'data scientist'  may ask for data mining skills. Companies that have money customers or companies own a ecommerce sites maybe need people master data mining skills.  Thank you again!

Zhou