When selecting a college to attend, one of the most important factors to consider is your target school’s program offerings. Your college major plays a key role in determining which career paths you can pursue once you enter the workforce.
To ensure success in your early career, it can help to identify which professions are currently in-demand. Today, many companies are looking for professionals with backgrounds in big data. Big data refers to the large and diverse quantities of information that companies must analyze to make smarter business decisions. Because big data is often disorganized, companies need people who can sift through the clutter and gather useful findings.
Many college programs, including data science, computer science, mathematics, and management information systems, tackle the subject of big data. If you’re interested in pursuing careers that work with big data, the following courses can help students learn more.
Data Science
The best way to prepare for a career in big data is to pursue a data science degree. With lessons on data modeling, statistics, and analytics, data science students learn how to identify patterns in data. Classes in computer science can also teach data science students how to use algorithms and statistical models to automate data extraction. From there, data science students learn how to find valuable insights from datasets. To succeed in a data science course, students need strong analytical skills, good business intuition, and an affinity for programming.
Computer Science
Computer science students learn how to use computers to solve the world’s problems. Though computer science isn’t entirely focused on data, focusing on subjects like artificial intelligence, algorithm design, and programming languages can adequately prepare students for careers in big data. The program’s focus on analytical and critical thinking skills can also help students thrive in data science roles. And because the business realm is becoming increasingly digitized, graduates of computer science degrees are highly in demand.
Mathematics
Students that want to understand data science algorithms on a more theoretical level should look into college mathematics programs. A degree in mathematics will give students a deep understanding of complex fields, such as linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. Most math fields will give students a deeper understanding of big data concepts. Linear algebra can teach students how algorithms work. Calculus can teach students how to train algorithms to perform certain jobs. Lastly, statistics can teach students how to interpret patterns in data. With mathematics degrees, students gain a balanced mix of theory and practical data science applications.
Management Information Systems
Courses on management information systems teach students how to use technology to support business operations. Management information systems courses are often compared with computer sciences. However, there are notable differences between the two. Where computer science degrees focus more on technology and theories, manage information systems degrees focus more on practical business applications. And since data science is becoming increasingly important in the business world, management information systems students will inevitably have to deal with big data in their studies.
There are many ways to approach the topic of big data. Those interested in practical applications of big data management can consider courses like data science and management information systems. On the other hand, students that want to lean deeper into theory can look into mathematics and computer science.
Article written by Rory Jo, exclusively submitted to classtracker.com
Photo credit: Photo by Mikael Blomkvist from Pexels
