Learning Data Analysis: Which Path to Take?

Question

data mining

Hello. I took two courses in the Yandex specialization in data analysis on Curser, I liked the data analysis, and I liked the mathematics behind it even more. I want to develop further and build a career in this field. The question arose about further education, and as I see it, there are two ways:
1. Continue independent study on any educational platforms + pet projects. What scares: the study of the relevant sections of mathematics will go along with the study of data analysis, there is a chance of becoming a specialist with gaps in mathematics. I am already taking a course in Probability Theory from SPbAU on Stepik , but I understand that this is only a small part of what you need to know.
2. Start preparing for admission to the ShAD or Computer Science Center on your own and with a tutor. Accordingly, to enter, you need to diligently study general mathematics. I will get a good mathematical background during the preparation + studying in one of the "schools" + connections.
I can’t decide what to choose, I’m leaning towards the second point, but I would like to hear the opinion of experienced people.
After bachelor's degree, I want to get a master's degree in another country.
Briefly about myself: in a month I will be 20 years old, I am a second-year undergraduate student at ITMO in Business Informatics. The specialty is more economic, there is little programming (everything is mostly on top without fundamental subjects such as the theory of algorithms), mathematics too: in the 3rd semester we study integrals and difurs, then the semester of theory and mathematics ends, however, in the physics and mathematics school I received good knowledge in both subjects, which allows me to now quietly study at the university, putting little effort. I have been programming for 2 years now. From the list of recommended knowledge for admission to the ShAD , I know what 2/3 of the topics are, but the bias of knowledge is more towards solving ordinary university problems than solving olympiads and deftly operating with theorems.

Answer 1

matan/ter ver - the same everywhere, no matter where you learn it.
The ability to solve problems is important, solve more applied problems and you will be happy, all these connections / nameplates are garbage in vegetable oil, you should not bother. Well, if you want to enter the ShAD, do it, the final result will be the same (there can be no other way, science is the same everywhere)