Where to start a career - dataMining or "regular" programming?

Question

data mining

I am a second year student. I've been programming since high school.
Recently, a teacher taught me about data mining and machine learning. My eyes lit up, my hands itched, I started watching lectures on Cursera, reading articles, etc.
But then I thought - isn't the threshold for entering this area of ​​knowledge too high? I mean, like any other person, after a while I will need earnings. But there are quite a few internships in the field of dataMining and machine learning.
What do you advise - to develop in terms of "normal" programming (in my case, Java), or to succumb to desire and develop in dataMining and machine learning?
Or maybe I'm wrong, and now many companies are looking for newbies in the field of dataMining and machine learning?

Answer 1

Maybe I don’t understand something, but what will you miss in regular programming when doing data mining?
Is it not an option to enter Yandex ShAD?
Companies are not looking for newcomers, on average, it is better again after Yandex, since they have the largest machine learning school. The market is a little filled with these specialists, but the migration factor must be taken into account. Also keep in mind that young machine learning companies depend on the investment market, and it has now decreased)
You need to study if you want. After all, it is impossible to ruin a career in "normal" programming.

Answer 2

If your eyes light up, then this is yours, do it. The entry threshold is not that high, just better study math while you have time at the university. Then it will be more expensive, I know for myself. The job market is huge and will only grow. Do not focus only on Russia, learn English.
Kaggle will help you :).