This document provides an introduction to big data, including its defining characteristics of volume, velocity, variety, and veracity. It notes that over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily from various sources, posing challenges for storage, processing, and analysis due to the massive volume. The document also lists 10 common uses of big data in business analytics, machine learning, the Internet of Things, personalized marketing, healthcare, cybersecurity, smart cities, financial analysis, environmental monitoring, and data-driven decision making. Finally, it names several major companies that utilize big data technology and hire graduates with big data skills.