I talk a LOT about Data Science Projects. In this video you find out why I think they are so important!
Data science projects payoff in multiple ways. First, they help you learn data science in an extremely efficient way. With projects you are able to narrow the gigantic scope of data science down to a single problem.
Next, data science projects can pay off by helping you to land a job. You gain valuable, real world, experience by doing these. You also showcase some skills that are difficult to manifest through your more traditional work. In addition to experience, you also have a portfolio to showcase that can have employers reaching out to you rather than you chasing them down all the time.
Finally, data science projects can pay off financially. Many projects can turn into products, content, or companies. My own YouTube channel actually started off by a project that I did.