Data Career Podcast: Helping You Land a Data Analyst Job FAST 184: What I’d Learn Instead of Data Science in 2026
Nov 4, 2025
Explore why aspiring data professionals might want to skip the lengthy path to data science. The discussion highlights the skills and time required for data science versus the increasing opportunities in data analyst and engineer roles. Learn how starting as an analyst can provide valuable on-the-job experience, quicker entry into the field, and a clearer route to future data scientist positions. Best of all, analysts can make an immediate business impact with a lower barrier to entry!
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Don't Start As A Data Scientist From Scratch
- Avoid starting as a data scientist if you lack strong math and programming foundations.
- Begin with roles that require less math and programming to build skills faster.
Math And Programming Are The Core Hurdles
- Data science requires both mathematics and programming, which take substantial time to learn.
- Mastering algorithms and programming creates a high barrier before you can qualify for data scientist roles.
Expect Credential Pressure For Data Scientist Roles
- Avoid expecting to get a data scientist job without relevant credentials like a master's.
- Consider the time and cost of graduate programs before committing to that path.