Real Life Careers with a Data Science Master’s Degree

It’s often said data is the new oil. It can be an incredible boon to any company—as long as they are able to interpret it in a way that is useful. That’s where a master’s degree in data science comes into play.

Data scientists know how to weave numbers into insights that allow key members in the organization to take informed actions. As the ones that collect, analyze and visualize big data, data scientists uncover critical context that inform decisions big and small.

You may find yourself asking, “What happens once you earn your data science master’s degree?” An MSDS improves your analytical skills to unlock a world of possibilities, enabling graduates to find jobs in fields like fintech, academia and even government positions. Refining your skills in a rigorous program provides you with real life experience gleaning operation-critical insights from data. Best of all, this specialty can be applied to a wide range of fields.

It’s incredibly important to note, the Stevens Institute of Technology graduate program prepares students to thrive, regardless of the field their ambitions lie. We do this by building a mathematical foundation centered around understanding leading industry tools (like Python and R, SQL, Hadoop, Hive, and TensorFlow) to uncover hidden, yet transformative, insights.

Many data scientists go into industries people would expect—research, corporate business, analytics, etc. However, the applications of a Data Science Master’s Degree are much more robust than people initially think. To paint a better picture of what data science looks like, we’ve compiled a list of careers that offer engaging, challenging and rewarding full time professional experiences.

Entertainment:

Content moves us—it makes us laugh, cry, smile, cheer and gasp. To many, this is the golden age of entertainment. And it’s no surprise: As technology has become more sophisticated, it’s paved the way for data scientists to make the content we consume stronger than ever.

By mastering foundational mathematics and statistical methods, data scientists can help implement artificial intelligence-powered algorithms to customize the experience for every user on streaming services, in social media, and other entertainment channels. And the consumption data tracked by the platforms is remarkably powerful—even helping identify trends that provide decision-makers the analysis they need to shape the future of film, tv and more.

Internet Search:

If search results just simply spit out a list of websites without factoring relevancy the Internet would be impossible to navigate. From making the world wide web easy to navigate to helping small platforms serve up relevant results, data science technology has aided this sector to provide the best audience outcomes.

An MSDS gives students exposure to cognitive computing, machine learning, natural language processing and other relevant tools they need in order to thrive in the role. Training systems to mimic how humans think is a critical tool in bridging technology and user experience and is one of the focuses of a study in a Data Science Master’s Degree. What users ask for isn’t always what they actually want—and applying data science to make sense of their journey can help transform searches to deliver the key information they were looking for.

Online Shopping:

With the Internet as vast as it is, online shopping would be a nightmare without the hard work of data scientists. It can be tough enough to find what we’re looking for in a real life store, let alone online where the options are seemingly infinite. Understanding shoppers’ needs, tastes and trends goes a long way to making the shopping experience smooth—and translating interest into sales.

The amount of data that is captured is massive, the abundance of it offering the opportunity to discover powerful insights. With the mastery of big data technologies and neural networks that comes with earning a Data Science Master’s Degree, data scientists can help use scientific methods to help businesses create better user experiences. Even more, they can share larger trends to help leadership keep the company one step ahead rather than catching up.

Healthcare:

Healthcare and technology make for an impressive duo. With the power of data science, the way we handle our health has been transformed to help us live longer, stay healthier and get more joy out of life. Our experiences with the healthcare industry are always improving and we can thank data scientists for their transformative work.

One of the foundations of data science is statistical methods, which covers topics like data collection, analysis, testing, and presentation of the conclusions. The strength of these skills acquired through a Data Science Master’s Degree can help multiple departments that range from user experience to treatment itself. And with the growing strength of machine learning, findings from data scientists are a remarkable tool researchers can utilize.

Finance Sector:

The world of finance is changing every day. Managing money is more complex than ever, but those who can evolve with technological innovations are able to make the best financial decisions—and reap the benefits. With people’s livelihoods at stake, a talented data scientist is a must for any company operating in this field.

With predictive modeling and analyses of real time data, data scientists with a Data Science Master’s Degree can identify trends early. The financial field moves quickly and spotting trends as they’re on their rise is a game changer. Using their analytical skills, data scientists can present findings in a way that allows key players to make informed investment decisions. Those that can see the story behind the numbers are best equipped to lead a thriving career in the finance sector.

Digital Advertising:

Marketing has come a long way since coupon mailers and radio ads. With the introduction of online advertising, digital billboards, social media engagement and more, the entire landscape has changed. With this shift also comes an influx of crucial data that can be the difference between an advertising success and a commercial dud.

With a Data Science Master’s Degree under their belt and armed with advanced statistical and optimization methods in their toolbox, data scientists can identify how campaigns are performing and the factors that affect it. Teasing out these insights from data allows media supervisors, creative writers and marketing directors to understand the factors that are playing a role in the reception of the work.

Gaming:

Once upon a time video games were simply made for people to enjoy on the couch by themselves. Today, gaming connects people across the globe with rich experiences they can connect, compete and explore with each other. Understanding the data with insights gained from a Data Science Master’s Degree, of how millions of people play is critical in sustaining franchises worth millions, and in some cases billions, of dollars.

The digital nature of gaming means data mining is not only possible, it’s essential in balancing and adjusting games to ensure their continued success. A savvy data scientist shares insights across departments to explain how levels are played, progression retains players and how healthy their online ecosystem is. In short, data scientists are a cheat code for developers to make outstanding products.

In today’s connected age, our data is being gathered unlike ever before. This presents an incredible opportunity across all industries to transform numbers into actionable insights. Those with an MS in data science have found imperative roles in a wide range of fields, helping guide decision makers to redefine their business—and sometimes the industry as a whole.