While university courses are necessary for technical abilities, many of the skills my colleagues and I possess were attained beyond the classroom. Like many professions, internships are an excellent way to gain on-the-job experience, since they often teach you how to ask the right questions. At its most basic level, that is what a data scientist must always do, because without asking the right questions, you will find yourself shooting in the dark. It is also imperative to work in teams with both rookies and veterans, long enough to guide and point you in the right direction. This is also an important way to network, which helps in the long run, like with any field you are attempting to break into.