If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite streaming service recommends your next show, how weather forecasts predict storms or how hospitals use information to improve patient care, you’ve already seen data science in action.
Data scientists transform raw information into meaningful insights that help organizations solve problems and make informed decisions. They combine programming, statistics and communication to uncover patterns, build predictive models and explain their findings in ways others can understand.
“Data scientists tell stories with data,” says John Mayberry, professor of mathematics and member of the data science board of advisory council at University of the Pacific. “They use software to build models that predict numeric quantities such as stock prices or classify information such as whether an email is spam. They often work with interdisciplinary teams to create dashboards and visualizations that help others ‘see’ the numbers and enhance data-driven decision making across organizations.”
That combination of technical expertise and storytelling is what makes data science such a versatile and rewarding career.
If you enjoy solving complex problems and discovering patterns, data science could be an exciting career path. The next step is to understand the skills, education, and experience that can help you get there.
How to know if you want to do data science
One of the best ways to know if you want to pursue data science is to think about the kinds of challenges that excite you. Every project is different. One day you might predict customer behavior and the next you could be analyzing health outcomes or identifying financial trends.
“Problem solving plays an important role across the whole pipeline because projects never follow a copy-and-paste format,” Mayberry says. “There are always challenges to be solved around cleaning and formatting data, engineering new variables, tailoring existing models to new situations, checking assumptions and presenting results.”
Technical skills are only part of the job. Data scientists also need to communicate their findings to people who may not have a technical background.
“Most people you work with will not have as much technical knowledge as you,” Mayberry says. “Breaking things down into visualizations is especially important.”
If those kinds of challenges sound appealing, building the right foundation is the next step.
Build the data skills that matter
Most aspiring data scientists begin with a bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, mathematics, statistics or economics. These programs build a strong foundation in programming, statistical analysis and machine learning while giving students opportunities to solve real-world problems.
“Statistics, programming and communication skills form the foundation of modern data science,” Mayberry says. “Knowledge in a complementary discipline such as economics, business, biology or health science can be helpful but is not necessary.”
While boot camps and online courses can introduce technical concepts, a bachelor’s degree provides the broader foundation employers often look for. If you want to specialize further or pursue leadership positions may also choose to earn a master’s degree.
Classroom learning provides the foundation, but practical experience is what helps you turn those skills into a career.
How to build a data science portfolio
Building a portfolio through personal projects, research, internships and competitions is one of the best ways to prepare for a career in data science. These experiences allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom while demonstrating your skills to future employers.
Mayberry encourages you to start exploring data early.
“I would recommend playing around with datasets on sites like Kaggle and learning the basics of a programming language such as Python or R,” he says. “If you have time, taking an introductory statistics course is also helpful.”
At Pacific, you continue building those skills through project-based coursework and a required capstone experience.
“All students in the data science program complete a capstone project, which involves a practical project in collaboration with a data science faculty member or an experiential learning opportunity in industry,” Mayberry says. “Many of our classes also involve projects chosen by students around data analysis. Students can also reach out to faculty for additional opportunities working with data. The more you get your hands dirty with data, the better.”
Those hands-on experiences do more than build confidence. They prepare students for careers across a wide range of industries where data-driven decision-making plays an increasingly important role.
Is data science a good major?
Data scientists are in demand across industries, including health care, business, finance, government, and technology, particularly as organizations continue to rely on artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34% through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024.
“Data science spans many industries including business, government, health care and technology, particularly AI,” Mayberry says.
Many graduates begin as data analysts, junior data scientists or business analysts before advancing into more specialized roles. As technology evolves, successful data scientists continually learn new tools and techniques throughout their careers.
Why study data science at Pacific?
With opportunities in nearly every industry, choosing a program that combines technical training with real-world experience can make a meaningful difference.
University of the Pacific’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science prepares you with the knowledge and practical experience needed for a career in the field while offering the flexibility to explore individual interests. You’ll work closely with faculty throughout the program and complete a capstone project that applies classroom learning to real-world challenges before graduation.
The program also encourages you to tailor your education to your interests. Because it was intentionally designed to complement many other majors across the university, students can pursue a double major in economics, mathematics, political science, English, psychology, health science, media and performance arts or computer science.
“Pacific’s program in data science is unique because it offers nontraditional pathways in decision making and storytelling in addition to more traditional pathways such as machine learning and data engineering,” Mayberry says. “The ability to double major helps students find area-specific applications for data science and also opens the door for more diverse students in the major.”
Start building your future
Data science combines technical skills with creativity, communication and curiosity to solve meaningful problems. Whether you’re interested in improving patient care, helping businesses make smarter decisions or developing the next generation of AI tools, the field offers opportunities to make an impact across nearly every industry.
If you’re ready to turn your curiosity into a career, University of the Pacific’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science can help you build the technical knowledge, practical experience and confidence to succeed in one of today’s fastest-growing professions.
Learn more about Pacific’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science and discover how you can start building the skills employers are looking for.