We often associate Big Data with Big Companies. But, as Quentin Hardy points out here, Big Data is exploding, not just at places like Google, but also in the government sector and at the grassroots level.

What is Big Data?

According to Hardy, "Big Data, which should probably be called Big Analysis, is about looking at that information in novel ways to find new patterns for prediction. What they predict, and how that fits in with traditional ways of running our lives, is changing fast. Money is flowing into a growing sector of corporate technology".

The Good News for your Career

We haven't seen anywhere near what is to come! In other words, Big Data is continuing to be used in new and innovative ways. As Usman Haque, the founder of the Big Data start-up Pachube, points out, "One thing I'm sure of, we have no idea what people will be doing with this three years from now." According to Mr. Haque, "the real revolution will start in about a year."

What does this mean for you? It means there's still time to move into this sector. There are still exciting, new things to be done. Quentin Hardy mentions projects ranging from analyzing how to predict recessions to those that predict when a toilet will get clogged.

What projects would you like to see Big Data used toward? Do you know of other grassroots projects using Big Data? Comment below and tell us all about it!

Fascinated by Big Data? Would you like to learn how courses in Information Management can help you break into this exciting, new field?
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