What Major for Career in Data Science/Analytics?

[Anonymous]

'Data Science' type of major might surpass Computer Science in the near future as Computer Science surpassed Computer Engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a seasoned data scientist with approximately 8 years of experience, I currently hold a managerial position overseeing a team of data scientists. Amid our ongoing recruitment efforts for an entry-level analyst, we have observed a trend wherein individuals with computer science backgrounds are attempting to transition into this role. Regrettably, such candidates typically do not meet our criteria for interview consideration.

Primarily, we prioritize candidates with academic backgrounds in disciplines such as mathematics, statistics, economics, industrial engineering, or even political science, provided they demonstrate a robust proficiency in programming. Therefore, I would advise prospective candidates to pursue educational paths such as Economics with a minor in Computer Science, Statistics with a minor in Computer Science, or even Physics with a minor in Economics, as these combinations align more closely with our hiring preferences.

Me: Math major + Econ minor.. MS in Data Science + MBA

What about computer engineering though?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about computer engineering though?

In general, there still is a shortage of computer engineers and electronics engineers. Those are both very difficult degrees. BSCS usually is visibly easier than a BS in Computer Engineering.

Is there a more specific question ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS is becoming very interested in a career in the data science field. The colleges that he will likely choose between do not offer a "Data Science" major.

Should he major in Computer Science and minor in Statistics? Or should he major in Statistics and minor in Computer Science? Does anyone have any knowledge or career experience to share?

Not giving you a bad time, but why would your child consider a school that may not have the field of study related to career goals?

OP here. We live in VA, and he got into VA Tech College of Engineering...

In that situation, CS major with either lots of Applied Stats courses or a formal Stats minor.

DC needs to become very familiar with R programming. R is open-source, meaning free, and is very very widely used in data analysis. Available for Windows, Mac, and UNIX.

Also, download the free PDF copy of "The Handbook of Biological Statistics" by a UDel professor. It is a standard reference for when to use which statistical test. Examples come from biology but the book applies to any data analysis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
'Data Science' type of major might surpass Computer Science in the near future as Computer Science surpassed Computer Engineering.

Doubt it. CS degrees tend to have more quality control and be more rigorous. Data science is all over the place; colleges are slapping together programs. CMDA at VT is an excellent choice, but all data science degrees are not created equal. Some require minimal calc and take other shortcuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a data analyst transitioning to management (unrelated to analytics or IT). I would not recommend this path, personally - it's one of the first fields that will be largely taken over by AI. The tech field is not really friendly to newbies anymore, IMO, and I don't see that changing.

I would expect AI will slow the growth in job demand but "being taken over by AI" is a huge overstatement. What is happening is people in the field will need to know how to use all the AI tools that are being developed.

I asked ChatGPT if it could improve my code the other day. It gave me some bad suggestions that only made it worse, and when I pointed this out, it gave me back exactly what I had given it in the first place. I don't think there's much danger in ChatGPT taking over anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

My son was an Applied Computational Mathematics and Statistics major at a top 20 school not particularly known for engineering or comp science. He entered the work force with ease and has a top secret clearance working on a military contract doing some really interesting stuff. He had to teach himself some of the computer programing stuff, but he has been doing just fine in the job. The major at his school was based in the math department, so it was more math focused vs. comp sci focused.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have no idea why my old thread was resurrected, but my DS chose to major in CS and minor in Stat at VT. He is having a great first semester!

[Anonymous]

My kid at UMich couldn’t even register for a basic first semester stats or data science class. He wants DS as his major. But lots of kids now flooding data science.

[Anonymous]

DD chose to double major in computer science and statistics since her school doesn’t offer a data science program. She ended up liking this combination, as it gives her the flexibility to pursue a career in any of the three fields.

[Anonymous]

Can any folks in the field weigh in here?(I am reviving an old post because it has some focus on VT). Which would make sense for a kid that wants to maintain flexibility with their options after graduation:
1. CMDA major + CS Minor
2. CMDA major + Statistical Data Science double major

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a data analyst transitioning to management (unrelated to analytics or IT). I would not recommend this path, personally - it's one of the first fields that will be largely taken over by AI. The tech field is not really friendly to newbies anymore, IMO, and I don't see that changing.

LOL this is ridiculous.

Layoffs are not only going to be in business analyst fields or comp science.

Everything works off. the web currently. Every single company needs these people.

BA cost way less than CS people do.

And AI is not going to take this over. LOL

NP. Actually you are wrong. This field will be totally taken over. Humans won't be writing code any longer. Actually my son uses AI to write most of his code. He majored in Applied Computational and Mathematics Statistics and he is a data scientist. My husband is in the field and is already guiding DS on how he can avoid the inevitable. It's about staying ahead of the curve, and you aren't able to access that knowledge in a university. It is all on the job. The PP is right about newbies to the field. They won't find work.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do one of the funky vocational degrees.

Study math or stats and double minor in computer science and the area you want to work in (e.g. ecology to be an environmental data scientist).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a data analyst transitioning to management (unrelated to analytics or IT). I would not recommend this path, personally - it's one of the first fields that will be largely taken over by AI. The tech field is not really friendly to newbies anymore, IMO, and I don't see that changing.

LOL this is ridiculous.

Layoffs are not only going to be in business analyst fields or comp science.

Everything works off. the web currently. Every single company needs these people.

BA cost way less than CS people do.

And AI is not going to take this over. LOL

NP. Actually you are wrong. This field will be totally taken over. Humans won't be writing code any longer. Actually my son uses AI to write most of his code. He majored in Applied Computational and Mathematics Statistics and he is a data scientist. My husband is in the field and is already guiding DS on how he can avoid the inevitable. It's about staying ahead of the curve, and you aren't able to access that knowledge in a university. It is all on the job. The PP is right about newbies to the field. They won't find work.

So which way to go right now for a kid that was leaning toward CS?

[Anonymous]

Financial Econometrics
Actuarial Science
Nuclear or materials engineering