Is data science hard? Know how you can build a successful career with a master’s degree

Data science jobs are taking over the market by storm and attracting a lot of professionals to make a career transition. This interdisciplinary field has witnessed 650% growth in the job domain since 2012 and is believed to expand further in the upcoming years. As per a recent study by the PwC, Data Scientist is one of the best jobs in the United States, indicating that data science graduates can apply for a job in India and abroad. If you are also planning to move to data science from your career field but hesitating because of the subject’s nature, fret not! We have all the information to help you decide to answer your questions. Read ahead to find out how you can turn your career upside down and venture into a more successful domain!

Data Science- Growth statistics

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the technical domain is set to have more than 11.5 million job openings by 2026. The job positions will include the following-

1. Data Scientist
2. Machine Learning Engineer
3. Big Data Developer
4. Director of Data Science
5. Full Stack Engineer
6. Customer Success Manager

Since the demand is increasing and the supply of eligible professionals to fill this job opening is quite low, you can easily embark on a successful career transition journey by applying for a data science master’s course.

The big question- Is data science hard?

For professionals who have experience in the technical field, it can be a little less daunting, whereas for people who have zero technical background, they might find the course and this field a bit challenging. Data science includes coding, and you will have to learn programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, Scala, Java, MATLAB, and more, depending on the nature of the job. This is also one of the crucial reasons why there is a shortage of professionals in this domain. Though with the right course, you can easily learn these languages. The Master of Science in Data Science at Online Manipal provided by Manipal Academy of Higher Education offers the perfect blend of practical and theoretical knowledge that will help you overcome all the obstacles.

Factors that make data science hard to pursue

There is zero doubt that data science is one of the hardest subjects to master, but that should not be the end of it. The broad skill set this field requires is vast, but the maximum content in the syllabus is already covered in school. What you need to master is the advanced version of what you have studied previously. Data Science includes subjects such as probability, statistics, mathematics, computer science, software and such. For professionals working in any of these fields, learning data science won’t be much challenging. Here are some factors you should know-

1. Data science is an interdisciplinary subject, including math, science, statistics and other subjects.
2. You need to have a sound knowledge of programming languages to retrieve data from a huge database.
3. Since the field is growing, you need to have what it takes to stand out from the crowd. Opt for a master’s program that offers programming, collaborative projects to work on, a capstone project to project your learnings, mentors with field experience, and industry-oriented coursework and syllabus.
4. All of the multinational giants that are ruling the market have requirements for data science graduates. Data science professionals study the market trend and analyse the generated data to build a perfect strategy to dominate the market and consumers.
5. As a data scientist, you might also be asked to conduct A/B testing to generate a more practical result. This practice includes a sound knowledge of statistics, and maximum companies in the corporate world use this methodology.

Should you make this career transition?

Now that we have answered your question- is data science hard or not, we hope that you are now ready to make a decision. Data Science is a revolutionary field and the salary offered is quite promising if you have the skill set that employers need. In addition, the lucrative career option has numerous job roles you can explore, such as data scientist, big data engineer, and more.

The average salary of a fresher data analyst is 6 Lakh per annum in India which is high compared to other job roles of the same level. If you are a professional with work experience, you will get a good hike in your salary package once you change the job.

Choose Online Manipal

Ready to change your profession and venture into the complex world of data science? Choose Master of Science in Data Science offered by Manipal Academy of Higher Education on the Online Manipal website. The online course MAHE is taught by highly experienced faculty and has a career-oriented curriculum designed to elevate your career. The online course will allow you to keep your current job while studying online at your own pace. The syllabus includes mini projects to enhance your practical skills. Upon course completion you will receive career support from Online Manipal to find a suitable job opportunity. So, what are you waiting for? Join the course today!