Hello, I’m currently pursuing an undergraduate Economics degree with a minor in Data Science (76 and 40 credits respectively) in Israel. I’d like to know if this is a viable path for analyst/data science type jobs. is there anything important I’m missing or should consider adding?
Courses I already did:
(All taught in the Statistics department)
Calculus 1 and 2
Probability 1 and 2
Linear Algebra
Python Programming
R Programming
Economics Major (76 credits):
Introduction to Economics A & B
Mathematics for Economists
Introduction to Probability
Introduction to Statistics
Scientific Writing
Introduction to Programming
Microeconomics A & B
Macroeconomics A & B
Introduction to Econometrics A & B
Fundamentals of Finance
Linear Algebra (taught in Information Systems Department)
Fundamentals of Accounting
Israeli Economy
Annual Seminar
Data Science Methods for Economists
ELECTIVES(Only 3):
Note: I think picking the first 3 is best for my goals, given they’re more math heavy
Mathematical Methods
Game Theory
Model-Based Thinking
Behavioral Economics
Labor Economics
economic Growth and Inequality
Data Science Minor (40 credits)
Taught by Information Systems department (much more applied focus, I think)
You literally have data science as a minor. Ofc. It’s a viable path and you’re employable.
You can probably benefit from practical experience with internships. There you will also see if you have deep holes somewhere.
To a lot of Data scientists basics of SWE are also helpful.
My personal hot take is that being a good coder (and many ds people aren’t) is a huge advantage in data work.
Learn to use an ide, and when to quit notebooks. Learn tools tools like linters, git, data versioning, docker, and some package management system like pip or poetry if you use python. (or nix, if you want the cool stuff).
Examine the ecosystem of the library. Look into matplotlib, seaborn, pandas (or polars if you’re fancy), numpy, scikit learn, scipy, and the standard library for Python; I’m the expert on it. If you’re interested in time series, use Sktime.
If you’re also interested in deep learning, try Pytorch or Jax/Flax.
Hopefully, your minor covers the libraries in great detail. Reading up on design patterns will also be beneficial.
Because it’s only a minor, I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure whether the courses were on the appropriate subjects or if there were enough of them. I was worried that it wouldn’t be sufficient.
Additionally, it is taught in the department of information systems, which is superior, in my opinion.
I appreciate the library suggestions; as of right now, I am only familiar with matplotlib, pandas, and numpy.
Don’t worry. Much of a degree is just signaling you’re not an idiot and can finish work on time. If it’s labelled (at least in part) with what you want to work as, even better.
Honestly, stats, probability, calculus and linear algebra is a really decent mathematical foundation that enables you to self learn whatever bespoke methods you may need.
I don’t think employers specifically care about the departments unless it’s totally different. Information sounds fine.
Numerical Analysis/ convex optimisation are subjects missing in your curriculum— bit by no means are they required to enter the field.
The mathematical methods elective probably makes sense.
As you’re an economics major. There is the field of complexity economics. It draws methodology from chaos theory, complexity theory and non-linear dynamics. That’s something that could be cool to learn and useful in the messiness of real world data (but again, definitely not required for entry level analytics jobs).
Just realised you‘re in israel… stay safe down there.
Target fintech, banks and nbfc institutes. I am also from economics background and it really gives me an upper hand when it comes to explaining to stakeholders about impact to the project we are doing.