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Learn more about the B.S. Data Management and Data Analytics degree, and see why it could be the right fit for your future.
Learn MoreWhat's the big deal about big data? There aren't enough big-time analysts to determine what data is important to solve organizational issues, grow sales, formulate strategies, or make smart business decisions. Research analysts. Data managers. Data analysts. Career paths for IT professionals with advanced skills are wide open, and savvy individuals are zeroing in on the opportunities throughout business, healthcare, logistics, and many other fields.
Because today's work environments are complex, traditional statistics methods just don't cut it when it comes to making sense out of massive amounts of information. It takes the specialized knowledge of a data science expert to acquire meaningful data, wrangle it, and then break it down into usable information for everyone in the decision-making process.
If you want to catch the eye of top recruiters, think about polishing your résumé with a degree and industry-recognized certification credentials from top trade organizations like CompTIA and CIW. They'll give you an edge in a competitive job market and prepare you for a career analyzing information and developing practical solutions to complex problems.
Technology is growing more advanced, and more data and information are freely flowing through computers and the internet. Every industry needs to analyze and maintain their data, and professionals are needed to help really make sure data is being managed and used properly. A B.S. in Data Management and Data Analytics can go a long way in preparing you for an exciting future in data.
Jump to career:
Data Scientist
Data scientists, sometimes called computer/information research scientists or data analysts, are responsible for inventing and designing data-driven techniques to solve business and tech-related problems. Often, they look for order and patterns in data, as well as spot trends that can help a business’ bottom line. In addition, they find innovative new uses for current analytic technology and explore the fundamental issues in technology and utilize/develop analytical algorithms to solve problems. Data scientists often work with other scientists, engineers, and business/IT leaders, invent new analytical tools, partner in new software systems, design experiments to test code, and publish findings in journals for others to learn from. Data scientists have a solid grasp of statistics and are leaders in new innovative techniques such as machine learning, deep learning, and text analytics.
The average annual salary for data scientists is $118,000. This is well above the national average salary in the U.S., which is $56,000, making it a great IT career. Entry-level salaries are around $69,000 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $183,000 per year. The education you have, the company you work for, and your prior experience will largely dictate how much money you can make as a data scientist.
For a data scientist position, employers will usually require a master's degree from applicants. That means you'll need to begin your educational journey with a bachelor’s degree in data analytics that can help prepare you for a future master’s degree. You’ll need to be extremely well versed in development, analytics, programming languages, and communication in order to be qualified for this job.
Job potential for data scientists is expected to grow 16% in the next ten years, which is three times faster than the national average for job growth. This means that positions will be plentiful and workers with the right education can expect many job opportunities. Data science is an exciting and ever-changing field that has lots of potential for those interested.
Data Engineer
Data engineer is another popular data career track. Like data scientists, data engineers need to be proficient in computer languages, but data engineering focuses more strongly on building and maintaining the architecture and databases upon which expansive data-processing systems are built and housed. Data engineers build and test databases to ensure all processing systems are working properly. They focus on the mechanical function of systems and processes to ensure everything will work well.
Data engineers can make an average of $102,000 per year, with entry-level engineers earning around $72,000 per year, and the top 10% earning more than $158,000 per year. In the field of data engineering, your education and experience will play a huge role in your pay. The company and city where you work will also largely influence your salary.
The educational requirements for data engineers are less rigorous than they are for data scientists. Job seekers can often find an entry-level position in data engineering with nothing more than a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology, but a specialized degree in data management or data analytics can give you a leg up in the market. Higher education, like a master's degree, will also give you a competitive advantage in this field.
The job market for data engineers is expected to grow 28% by 2024, a huge jump for any field. There will be a wide variety of positions and options available for those who have the education and skills. Now is a great time to get involved in data engineering by pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Database Administrator
Database administrators store and organize data, granting access to users when needed, and keeping everything secure from unauthorized access. Database administrators use organizational data is secure, back-up and restore data, identify users to create administrator databases, update permissions, and more. The management of a database is what keeps an organization running smoothly.
The average annual salary for penetration testers is about $90,000 per year. Those just starting out in the profession will earn an average of $50,000, while the top 10% earn over $138,000 per year. Database administration salaries will largely depend on the location where you work and the size of the database you run. Smaller companies will have smaller databases, and less pay. Large companies have expansive and complex databases that need management and will likely pay much more for database admins.
A database administrator can greatly benefit from a degree in data analytics and data management. They need to have knowledge of scripting, web development, data science, data management, and more. Education is crucial to helping you be prepared to take on this role. Database administrators that understand management and analytics techniques will be highly competitive in this growing field.
Employment for database administrators is expected to grow 9% by 2028. This is faster than the national average, and as organizations continue to need information technology professionals, there will be an even greater demand for experts in this industry. Database administration is a field that will only continue to grow and flourish as more companies rely on complex data systems to store their information.
Systems Analyst
Computer systems analysts help an organization run effectively. They combine business and information technology in their organization to look at computer systems and procedure, analyzing the needs and limitations as a whole. They consult with managers to determine the role of IT systems inside the organization, evaluate the costs and benefits, increase functionality of existing systems, oversee the installation of new systems, and train users on their computer and information technology systems.
Systems analysts can expect to have an average annual salary of about $88,000. The entry-level annual salary is $54,000, and the top 10% earn more than $142,000. Systems analysts make much more than the national average salary, and the location where they work and their education can help them be competitive for higher pay.
Many analysts need a degree in an IT field. While there are many popular degree options to choose from, a degree in data management and data analytics can give candidates a leg up. A data management and data analytics degree dives deeply into the different systems a systems analyst may work with, and gives them specific data skills that can be crucial to job success.
The employment of computer systems analysts is slated to grow at a rate of 9% in the next several years, which is faster than the national average. This is largely due to the increasing need of organizations to enhance their information technology systems and implement more effective technology.