Why Everyone's Talking About Data Science

If you’re looking at studying abroad, you’ve probably seen this everywhere.

“Data Science = High salary.”
“Best ROI course for tech students.”
“Pathway to AI jobs and PR.”

And it’s true, Data Science is powerful.
But also? It’s not for everyone.

At GradGuide, we’ve worked with hundreds of students who jumped into the trend… and later realised they weren’t ready, weren’t qualified, or weren’t even interested.

Let’s save you that pain.

Who Is Data Science Actually For?

It’s great if you:

• Enjoy math, logic, and pattern recognition

• Have a background in engineering, statistics, CS, or physics

• Can handle coding (Python, R, SQL)

• Love working with messy data, finding stories inside numbers

It’s not great if:

• You dislike math or coding

• You’re choosing it only because it’s popular

• You’re more into strategy, marketing, or design thinking

The Promise vs The Path

What You Hear Online	What Actually Happens
“₹70L salaries in the US!”	True, but after 2–4 years of experience
“Canada loves Data roles”	Yes, but only with job-ready skills
“You can switch from any background”	You’ll need prep work (bootcamps or certifications)

Alternatives You Should Consider

If you’re not 100% into pure data, here are other strong options:

• Business Analytics (less coding, more decision-making)

• Product Management (blends tech + strategy)

• Digital Marketing Analytics (creative + numbers)

• Information Systems (IT + business ops)

• UX Research/Data-Driven Design (user behavior meets data)

GradGuide Tip: Start With Your Why

Don’t ask: “Is data science hot right now?”
Ask: “Do I actually want to spend 2 years writing code and analyzing data full-time?”
The answer might surprise you—and it’ll save you a lot of stress.