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JBGMAT
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 05 Feb 2015, 12:12
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Hi,

I am a working professional. Have completed an ungraduate degree (3 years) in Information Technology [so have some knowledge of programming], and an MBA. All my education and professional experience have been in India only. I have close to 9 years of work experience in business research, business intelligence, competitive intelligence, industry research.

I am planning to go for further education in Data Analytics, preferably in the US.

What I have observed is the majority of the data scientists have prior degrees in either statics or engineering or economics. Since I don't have an engineering/statics/economics degree specifically, is it something that I might not be considered a good fit for data analytics job opportunities in the US after completing the business analytics education.

What all I can do to help my case.

Would be great if could get some valuable pointers here.

Best Regards
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sterling19
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 05 Feb 2015, 17:14
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There are a few Masters in Analytics/Data Science programs in the U.S. and they seem to accept students with all kinds of different undergraduate degrees and professional backgrounds. Here are some great programs. Look into their admission criteria and student profiles to get a sense of who they are looking for.
https://www.bisoftwareinsight.com/resource-center/big-data-analytics-programs/
https://grahamschool.uchicago.edu/credit/master-science-analytics/index
https://www.ml.cmu.edu/prospective-students/ms-in-machine-learning.html

This NYU program is for more experienced professionals like yourself: https://www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/global-degrees/business-analytics
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JBGMAT
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 07 Feb 2015, 02:51
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Glad to see your reply. I plan to study analytics in the US to try and build a career in that, preferably in the US.

Would like to share one instance with you. I had a word with a job consultant in the US a few months regarding exploring a job for me. He told me that the data/business analytics education in the US might not help me much in the US as employers are more likely to prefer candidates having prior engineering/statics degree as well. What I have observed is the majority of the data scientists have prior degrees in either statics or engineering or economics.

This is my main concern.

Regards,




sterling19
There are a few Masters in Analytics/Data Science programs in the U.S. and they seem to accept students with all kinds of different undergraduate degrees and professional backgrounds. Here are some great programs. Look into their admission criteria and student profiles to get a sense of who they are looking for.
https://www.bisoftwareinsight.com/resource-center/big-data-analytics-programs/
https://grahamschool.uchicago.edu/credit/master-science-analytics/index
https://www.ml.cmu.edu/prospective-students/ms-in-machine-learning.html

This NYU program is for more experienced professionals like yourself: https://www.stern.nyu.edu/programs-admissions/global-degrees/business-analytics
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sterling19
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 07 Feb 2015, 08:09
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JBGMAT
Glad to see your reply. I plan to study analytics in the US to try and build a career in that, preferably in the US.

Would like to share one instance with you. I had a word with a job consultant in the US a few months regarding exploring a job for me. He told me that the data/business analytics education in the US might not help me much in the US as employers are more likely to prefer candidates having prior engineering/statics degree as well. What I have observed is the majority of the data scientists have prior degrees in either statics or engineering or economics.

This is my main concern.

Regards,
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That may be the case now, but it's going to change over the next several years. Analytics and big data are still relatively new fields, but more and more industries are starting to see the benefits. Traditionally, these jobs have attracted engineering and economic majors, but analytics is starting to spread into retail and consumer goods, investment management, agriculture, nonprofits, and the public sector. Experts are predicting a shortage of qualified professionals for analytic-type careers over the next 20 years. I don't believe not having a undergrad degree in engineering or economics will be the reason you can't secure a job.

Now finding a firm that will sponsor a H-1B visa, that is another story.

Best of luck to you.
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JBGMAT
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 09 Feb 2015, 06:00
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sterling19
JBGMAT
Glad to see your reply. I plan to study analytics in the US to try and build a career in that, preferably in the US.

Would like to share one instance with you. I had a word with a job consultant in the US a few months regarding exploring a job for me. He told me that the data/business analytics education in the US might not help me much in the US as employers are more likely to prefer candidates having prior engineering/statics degree as well. What I have observed is the majority of the data scientists have prior degrees in either statics or engineering or economics.

This is my main concern.

Regards,

That may be the case now, but it's going to change over the next several years. Analytics and big data are still relatively new fields, but more and more industries are starting to see the benefits. Traditionally, these jobs have attracted engineering and economic majors, but analytics is starting to spread into retail and consumer goods, investment management, agriculture, nonprofits, and the public sector. Experts are predicting a shortage of qualified professionals for analytic-type careers over the next 20 years. I don't believe not having a undergrad degree in engineering or economics will be the reason you can't secure a job.

Now finding a firm that will sponsor a H-1B visa, that is another story.

Best of luck to you.
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Many thanks for your reply. Are there any certifications in business analytics/data analytics that I can complete to atleast get some opportunities in this space? And perhaps these certifications can help my case in pursuing the analytics education later.
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sterling19
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Need Guidance - Planning for MS in Data Analytics education 09 Feb 2015, 06:24
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JBGMAT

Many thanks for your reply. Are there any certifications in business analytics/data analytics that I can complete to at least get some opportunities in this space? And perhaps these certifications can help my case in pursuing the analytics education later.
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I haven't heard of any popular certifications. There may be some out there, but I don't know how much weight, if any, employers give to them. You might have more success teaching yourself the skills you will need and using them on a personal project you can show off in interviews.