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Should I double major in both data science and data analytics? Or should I major in one and minor in another?

I feel that as a data analysis, I would have more career options. However, being a data scientist appeals to me. Should I major in data science, and minor in data analytics, or vice versa? Can a data scientist work as a data analyst?

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Andrew’s Answer

If those are the two youre really set on as potential majors I would suggest Data Science. A lot of what you could learn in Analytics stems from Data Science. The progression in a real world project tends to go: the data engineer sets up pipelines/etl tools for data movement, data scientists utilize this data from sources it was moved to (like a database or datalake) for data modeling purposes, and then data analysts utilize those models in their analyses. This is obviously a basic rundown but Data science is a nice sweet spot for a foundation
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Andrew! Genevieve
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David’s Answer

Data Science combined with anything will be a powerful combination. I would not double major or major/minor in Data Science and Data Analytics as they are too closely related to really give you an edge. What kind of data do you like to analyze? Is there a specific industry that you care about and would be happy to dive into data? Maybe if you love movies and data, a DS major with a film minor will make you a very attractive applicant to lots of roles at studios and streamers alike.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, David! Genevieve
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Nishchal’s Answer

The line is very thin and sometimes blurry between these two roles. Some companies even use these titles interchangeably. But generally data science requires deeper understanding of maths and statistics whereas data analytics requires business systems knowledge and software engineering skills. One common base between these two is Data Engineering which builds the solid foundation which can support different types of analysis.

My general advice would be that if you enjoy statistics then go Data Science route and if you enjoy communicating what the data says then go Data Analytics route.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Nishchal! That was extremely helpful! :) Genevieve
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Julie’s Answer

I would recommend you look at a variety of colleges and their programs in which you can major. Because they are so closely related perhaps data analytics is a subset or could be a minor. The University of Michigan now has a big data program. I recommend checking it out
Thank you comment icon Thank you Julie! Genevieve
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Sri’s Answer

I would suggest Data science as technically you are deriving predictive analytics using data science. You will naturally learn the descriptive analytics as part of this journey. I suggest to check out University of South Florida, Business and Data analytics program. It's rated very well.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Sri! Genevieve
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Marie’s Answer

It depends if you are more passionate about math or business (both majors teach you computer science skills). The main difference is data science teaches you more about the math behind certain data concepts, while data analytics teachers you more about how to apply certain data concepts to various business situations. I think both open you up to various career opportunities so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Choosing the one that is right for you and you will excel in is more important.
Thank you comment icon Thanks again Marie! :) Genevieve
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Michael’s Answer

As most have stated in prior responses that they are two separate fields. When I think about practice of both, I feel like there are opportunities in each silo so choose your passion. With that being said.. I think if you have background in both, they play of each other nicely. Being able to present analytics can be as simple as displaying reporting in a BI tool up to QAing data sourcing. I think a major in Data Science (statistical modeling) and a minor in the Data analytics can be very powerful.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Michael! Genevieve
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hi Genevieve,

The choice between pursuing a double major in data science and data analytics or opting for a major with a minor rests on several factors. These include your career ambitions, personal interests, and the specific requirements set by your educational institution.

To help you make an informed decision, let's first distinguish between data science and data analytics. Both fields deal with data, but their approach varies. Data science is about innovating new methods, models, and algorithms to understand and interpret data. On the other hand, data analytics focuses on utilizing existing techniques to analyze and interpret data. For instance, a data scientist might create new machine learning algorithms, while a data analyst might use these algorithms to derive insights from specific datasets.

Considering your options:

1. Double major in data science and data analytics: This path offers a broader understanding of both fields. It can give you an edge when job hunting as you'll possess a strong foundation in both areas. However, it might demand more time and effort due to the extra coursework.

2. Major in one field (data science or data analytics) and minor in the other: This option still offers a comprehensive education in both fields but allows you to concentrate more on one specific area. This might be beneficial if you lean towards either data science or data analytics. Having a minor could also make you more appealing to potential employers who appreciate interdisciplinary knowledge.

Regarding your question if a data scientist can work as a data analyst, the answer is yes. Data scientists often possess the skills needed to work as data analysts as their work involves analyzing datasets and generating insights. However, their talent in developing new models and methods might not always be fully utilized in an analyst role, depending on the job's demands.

In the end, the choice between double majoring or majoring-minoring hinges on your personal preferences and career goals. If you're more inclined towards research or creating new data techniques, a double major in data science might be more appropriate. If you're more interested in using existing techniques to address real-world problems or want to focus on enhancing business operations, a major in data analytics might be a better choice. Regardless, having expertise in both fields can open up diverse career opportunities in various sectors.

Stay Blessed!
James Constantine.
Thank you comment icon Thanks again!! Genevieve
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