Coming into the data science program at UNC Charlotte, for anybody who's considering data science, I think it's important to consider and to realize that you don't need to be a mathematical genius, you don't need to be an expert programmer. The program will ensure that you have all the skills necessary in order to tackle the future data science problems. I started from the ground up to ensure that my skills are being honed and being developed as we progress through. I never felt like I was being left behind, especially with math, statistics, or computing.
Data is the present. Data is already being collected. It's how are we going to use it? Will we use it well?
Data science is more used to analyze outputs of future programs or future softwares. Wanting them to go a certain way, and wanting things to go faster, or wanting things to improve, and how you can mend programs to in order to do so.
History of data science education has mostly been at the graduate level, but employers don't just need graduate level educated individuals to work on these problems. They need individuals coming into the job market with these skills at this level.
I'm very fortunate to be in the only Bachelor's program of data science in the state and beyond fortunate to be in one of the very few less than 10 in the country. The special thing about a program like this that sets it apart from a lot of other different program and course programs is that the class structure in the course program encompasses all different facets of mathematics, statistics, and computing. So instead of having to take it upon yourself to learn all these individually, the program offers it for you.
Throughout the last 10 to 15 years data science has always been in the top three often the top one field where industry needs more individuals with those skills.
They are in line with a bunch of different programs, especially in this part of the country, and my personal feelings about securing a job. I have no apprehension and I know that there will be more endless opportunities to come in the future.