r/askdatascience

So I’m in my last year of a Data Science degree and I’ve started noticing that nobody really seems to agree on what a “Data Science degree” even means.

A couple hiring managers have basically said “wait, so is this more stats or more CS?” and honestly fair question.

My program isn’t bad. We did calc, linear algebra, probability, regression, time series, ML, databases, data mining, all the expected stuff. But a lot of it feels weirdly shallow. Like we touched 12 ML models in one semester and barely implemented anything beyond toy examples. Our databases course spent more time on theory than actually wrestling with ugly SQL tables. Software engineering was basically “here’s how to write scripts that work on your laptop.”

Meanwhile I look at alumni who landed the stronger DS jobs and a ton of them came from CS, math, or stats backgrounds.

So now I’m sitting here wondering if I need to “fix” the signal before I graduate. Not because I think I learned nothing, but because I’m starting to understand how the degree gets read by recruiters.

Part of me is considering a CS post-bacc just so nobody questions whether I can code. Another part of me thinks a stats master’s would fit better since I’m more interested in analytics/experimentation than hardcore ML engineering.

Then there’s the third option where I stop obsessing over credentials and just get better at the stuff I already know I’m weak at. Better SQL. Better Python. Less Kaggle-y projects, more stuff that actually looks like something a company would use.

I already rewrote my resume because the first version sounded like a syllabus exploded onto a PDF. I ran it through resumeworded mostly to trim the fluff and make the projects sound less academic. It helped a bit, but I still feel like the bigger issue is proving I can do real work and not just pass classes.

Honestly the thing messing with my head is that I can’t tell if I’m overthinking this or seeing the market clearly for the first time. Like… is “B.S. Data Science” actually viewed differently from CS/stats once you’re applying, or does nobody care after the first internship?

Im shit at coding but i know the principles and basics
Im vibe coding everyth in work, ik how to vibe code how to prompt how to catch errors and how fix them, working pretty good so far.
But i once sat with a senior dev and he said the code is shit etc etc and i was amazed how good he was at coding
Is it worth taking the time to strengthen my coding skills? Or is it just a waste of time with ai?

About Evading Adaptive Defense: Most modern Firewalls and WAFs (Web Application Firewalls) have an "analysis window." If an attack takes 30 seconds, the WAF detects the pattern and blocks it. If my ai bounty hunter is At 917.4 ms, it gets through the door before the WAF even finishes its initial packet inspection. Then I am effectively "invisible" to time-based defense triggers.

What is the value of this technology and how can it be deployed safely for the good guys ?

Look I'm a business major specializing in accounting but for over a year now I have been obsessed with data analytics. I'm self taught and I have been busting my ass every single day. I finished Harvard CS50P and built every project from scratch to get certified. I stacked SQL from UC Davis, Python with Dr. Chuck from Michigan, and Excel through Macquarie. I'm Microsoft certified in Power BI and almost done with the Google professional track.

I am not just talk either. I have built real end to end projects like taking the Superstore dataset through SQL and Power BI. I worked with USDA data and even used NASA datasets to hunt for Earth like planets. I actually found one legit candidate out of the whole catalogue. I even built a full ERP web app for a mock company using AI tools to get it done and I document all of this on TikTok.

But here is the reality check that is killing me. I'm getting zero traction. I have tried freelancing and looking for remote work but nothing is hitting. I see people in the US landing entry level roles with zero experience and half the skills I have. Why is it so different here? Is the problem me or is it just the environment I am in?

I have been at this for a year and I'm seeing no light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not based in the US and where I'm at the situation is just soul crushing. To give you an idea of how bad it is, I am working a job that pays me about 35 dollars a month. Yeah you heard that right. 35 bucks for a whole month of work. I'm honestly starting to wonder if I am just wasting my life or if the market is just gatekept for people in my position. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello, If you are studying data science as a University student and you wish to build together we could be friends …
Being passionate about what you do makes you exceptional.
Bring your projects and ideas let’s learn and grow together

Hello everyone,

I’m currently a 2nd-year college student, and I had a question regarding my approach to building projects.

While working on my projects, I do use AI to help generate some parts of the code. However, I make sure I understand the logic, review everything carefully, and modify the code according to my own understanding.

I wanted to ask am I following the right approach, or should I focus on writing all the code completely on my own, especially considering future applications?

I would really appreciate your advice.

I am based in United States currently a Data Analyst with 5 years of experience with Python and have projects but no real world experience. MS in Data Science. Where should I be looking for AI/ML roles when I only have side/academic projects? Everyone wants experience!