What educational program is suitable for data science?

Question

IT education

Hello!

Student of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 2nd year, direction - Informatics and Computer Engineering. I would like to continue my studies with a bias in data-science, what is the best way to proceed?

A) Continue to study in my direction (which I don’t really like because of the greater bias in iron), but at the same time take courses on online platforms? Please advise which online platform to choose?

B) Change the direction at the university to a more subject-oriented one and at the same time also take online courses. Tell me, please, which direction to choose in this case, what disciplines in the list to pay attention to?

C) Quit college and start learning on your own, again, on online platforms. The most uncomfortable, radical and at the same time bold option. I would consider it as a last resort, but it would allow me to completely independently develop a training program. But the lack of a diploma is embarrassing, which can become an obstacle in finding a job. If there are employers among you, please advise how important it is to have a HE diploma, what salary and promotion restrictions may arise in its absence, what salary ceiling can you count on?

D) Perhaps the most difficult, but at the same time interesting option is to study abroad. I heard that in data science in Russia there are still few bachelor's programs, maybe in European countries there are programs that you can enter with English?

I will be glad to any advice!

About me: I am 19 years old, I have little experience in Java development (as part of study projects in the 1st year), I have a valid IELTS certificate, I have little experience with Git. I understand that this is not enough to work in data science, so I would like to understand in more detail how to study further.

PS I would like to pay special attention to point "B", since I myself am a student.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Lack of higher education is not a noticeable barrier to employment if you have more than 3 years of experience, however, you will have to learn a lot of material on your own, and then know everything better than guys with higher education in order to break through social security.
This is due to the fact that employers often rely on a college degree from a good university as a sign of a potentially good candidate, even if they do not require it.
This is not important in the long term, but it can interfere with the initial steps of a career.

Answer 2

B+V. One without the other has no meaning