In our digitally driven world, it’s no surprise that ZDNet reported that the demand for data science-related IT skills saw an increaseof 295% in 2021. Data science is the fastest-growing area of expertise sought out, but only a few people can fill these roles. This means that employers in the industry are pressured to secure what little talent is available.

While many would think that providing a competitive benefits package for employees is enough to retain data scientists, this may not be the case. We shouldn’t neglect the importance of morale and job satisfaction.Talent development is one way to improve both, as many professionals are eager to upskill and move their careers forward. As mentioned in our article called ‘How to Successfully Align Data and Business Strategies’, people are only as powerful as the decisions they are about to make, so skills training is key.

One often overlooked aspect of skills development is social networking. Data companies should pay more attention to helping teams build connections with each other for collaboration and creativity. Moreover, networking can tap into a desire to mentor data science newcomers — which may encourage more people to enter the field. As major conferences and meetups are slowly returning, there’s no better time to push data teams to become more active within the community. Here are three reasons why networking should be part of talent development:

It can raise your business profile

When employees put their best foot forward through networking, your company will similarly be visible to others in the field. Having employees attend networking events can help make your organization’s name known, especially if they create value for other attendees and offer their data science expertise. There, your employees have an opportunity to be knowledgeable, reliable, and supportive members in the profession, and showcase your organization’s thriving culture.

You can also encourage employees to start networking online. Blogs and forums offer a space for data scientists to display their work, post new codes or tutorials, or provide advice. If their profile links to their complete credentials, it could even lead aspiring professionals to your company.Kaggle exhibits how data scientists can learn and competewith the machine learning community in their spare time. Using datasets, individuals and teams create models and compete to rank higher on the leaderboard, providing them with positive exposure.

It expands their (and your) professional contacts

Social networking is an essential part of career building.LHH states that in breaking a career plateau — that is, when employees feel that there is no longer room for growth at their job — networking is a tool that can get them out of a rut and back on track. After all, expanding your list of contacts can lead to referrals, mentorships, business opportunities, and career support. Your organization may even hear about potential partnerships or investments through employee networking. And employees appreciate it when they see their company is invested in their professional growth, improving talent retention in the process.

Help employees build connections by providing them with training, workshops, and tools for networking. Set up a peer mentorship program that connects data scientists with other colleagues within or outside the organization, such as those in other departments, so they can mutually diversify their knowledge. By reaching out to people who may not share their interests, professionals in your company can enrich themselves with alternative perspectives.

It opens up opportunities for industry growth and innovation

TheInternational Journal of Data Science and Analytics published an articleon how data science is a game-changer for innovation, and one major takeaway is that data science aims to enable collaboration between people and technology. Because the field of data science is so new, the community needs to work together to expand what we know. Networks are a pool of ideas, solutions, and perspectives on challenges and experiences we all share. By staying connected with knowledgeable people, everyone stays ahead of the curve.

Employees who make an effort to talk with others inside and outside the company tend to discover the best practices in the game. Introduce promising data science leaders to your team, or even skilled professionals in related fields. When they’re familiar with these experts’ latest insights, they can raise questions to cultivate their own understanding and improve at what they do.

JBankes is a freelance writer and programmer based in Minneapolis. Armed with a degree in computer science and a passion for communication, she is designing a series of online courses concerning various aspects of technology in modern culture and business.