I'm not a data scientist but a portion of my job is creating pipelines, data analytics and such. I also only have a bare minimum knowledge of web technology. Why is knowledge of web technology part of being a good Data Scientist? Or is this point oriented specifically for data scientists working in web based companies?
Genuinely curious. I could imagine myself working as a DS in the future and that's why I found this article interesting.
Firstly, valuable data tends to live in places accessible via web technology. Maybe you need to fetch a bunch of XML files from an FTP site? Having a clear understanding of all the nuances you're about to encounter will set you up for success.
Secondly, valuable data tends to be generated by web technology itself. Understanding that lifecycle can inform analytical strategy.
Finally, some data scientists add value by informing decision makers. One of the most powerful things you can do for them is give them a mobile friendly secure web experience that puts the data they need directly at their finger tips. While yes, Tableau et al. are an option here, you'll be ahead of your peers by knowing how to DIY it when it counts.
But like some top comments say, data science is super broad and it just depends on your team.
Mature orgs and teams have a clear idea what their focus area is, while others don’t have a cogent conception of what constitutes “data science”