Would software engineering as a degree close off data or business analytics jobs?

hey, i was just wondering, im doing a bsc software engineering in the university of leicester, and was wondering whether i could realistically get a grad role in data analytics or data science? idk if comp sci would have been the better choice but as far as i can see the courses are almost the same- i chose an ai module for year 2 and will most probably do a big data module in year 3, and i have database modules on year 2 already :smile:

also, im gonna try and get a placement year or internship, but in the scenario that im not able to, are there any good extra curriculars or things i could do in year 3 to better prepare for life after / to make my cv better? im leaning towards data but was also idk considering audit..something to do with numbers/stats and programming as well hopefully lol, so any ECs that could be good would be great!

if i do virtual internships (some are like 6hrs i found, some maybe longer, but they say self-paced), would that help employability too, in a meaningful way/amount?

thanks for your help :smile:

Reply 1

Al3x235

OP

10

bump

(edited 2 months ago)

that should be fine

solid coding skills are only going to help in any data analytics type role. And you can always work for a few years then take a specialist masters if you find you want to branch into something like data vis, data journalism etc.

Have a look into volunteering roles - lots of charities need this sort of work/help but can't find the budget to pay for it so it's a way to build your portfolio of work and get involved in much bigger projects when you're trying to get established

Reply 3

University of Leicester

Official Rep

12

Original post by Al3x235

hey, i was just wondering, im doing a bsc software engineering in the university of leicester, and was wondering whether i could realistically get a grad role in data analytics or data science? idk if comp sci would have been the better choice but as far as i can see the courses are almost the same- i chose an ai module for year 2 and will most probably do a big data module in year 3, and i have database modules on year 2 already :smile:

also, im gonna try and get a placement year or internship, but in the scenario that im not able to, are there any good extra curriculars or things i could do in year 3 to better prepare for life after / to make my cv better? im leaning towards data but was also idk considering audit..something to do with numbers/stats and programming as well hopefully lol, so any ECs that could be good would be great!
if i do virtual internships (some are like 6hrs i found, some maybe longer, but they say self-paced), would that help employability too, in a meaningful way/amount?
thanks for your help :smile:

Hey,
I’m also studying at Leicester, and it sounds like you’re in a great spot with your Software Engineering course! Honestly, from what you’ve said, you’re definitely on track to move into data analytics or data science after you graduate. The fact that you’re taking modules in AI, big data, and databases is spot-on for those fields, and there’s really not much difference between Software Engineering and Comp Sci when it comes to the core skills needed for data roles.

Getting a placement year or internship would definitely give you a boost, but if that doesn’t work out, there are still lots of ways to build up your CV in your final year. Here are a few ideas:

1.

Personal Projects: Try working on a data-related project outside of your coursework. You could analyze a dataset that interests you, maybe something related to a hobby or current events, and showcase it on GitHub or a personal website. This shows employers that you’re proactive and have practical experience.

2.

Online Courses and Certifications: There are some great online platforms like Coursera or edX where you can take courses in data science, machine learning, or specific tools like Python, R, or SQL. Certifications like Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate can also add some weight to your CV.

3.

Join a Data-Focused Society or Group: If there’s a Data Science or Tech Society at Leicester, consider joining. These groups often run workshops, hackathons, and networking events that can help you build your skills and make connections in the industry.

4.

Virtual Internships: Definitely go for these if you find them interesting! Even though they’re short, they can still give you a taste of real-world problems and help you develop relevant skills. Plus, they’re great to mention on your CV, especially if you haven’t had a longer internship.

5.

Hackathons and Competitions: Participating in hackathons or data science competitions (like Kaggle) can be a great way to apply what you’ve learned and meet others in the field. These experiences look great on a CV and can also give you talking points in interviews.

As for audit, it’s a solid choice too, especially if you like working with numbers and stats. You might want to look into some basic finance or accounting concepts if you’re serious about that path, but your programming skills would still be super useful there.

Overall, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Keep exploring your options and building up your experience however you can. It’ll definitely pay off when it comes time to apply for grad roles!

Good luck with everything! 😊

Sumayyah
Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience

Reply 4

12345lucy

A BSc in Software Engineering won't limit your options in data or business analytics. With your AI, big data, and database modules, you're well-prepared for these fields. Focus on extracurriculars like data science clubs, hackathons, and online courses to boost your CV. Virtual internships can also enhance employability by showing initiative and gaining practical experience. Your degree and these activities should position you well for a career in analytics or related areas.

Reply 5

Al3x235

OP

10

Original post by University of Leicester

Hey,
I’m also studying at Leicester, and it sounds like you’re in a great spot with your Software Engineering course! Honestly, from what you’ve said, you’re definitely on track to move into data analytics or data science after you graduate. The fact that you’re taking modules in AI, big data, and databases is spot-on for those fields, and there’s really not much difference between Software Engineering and Comp Sci when it comes to the core skills needed for data roles.
Getting a placement year or internship would definitely give you a boost, but if that doesn’t work out, there are still lots of ways to build up your CV in your final year. Here are a few ideas:

1.

Personal Projects: Try working on a data-related project outside of your coursework. You could analyze a dataset that interests you, maybe something related to a hobby or current events, and showcase it on GitHub or a personal website. This shows employers that you’re proactive and have practical experience.

2.

Online Courses and Certifications: There are some great online platforms like Coursera or edX where you can take courses in data science, machine learning, or specific tools like Python, R, or SQL. Certifications like Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate can also add some weight to your CV.

3.

Join a Data-Focused Society or Group: If there’s a Data Science or Tech Society at Leicester, consider joining. These groups often run workshops, hackathons, and networking events that can help you build your skills and make connections in the industry.

4.

Virtual Internships: Definitely go for these if you find them interesting! Even though they’re short, they can still give you a taste of real-world problems and help you develop relevant skills. Plus, they’re great to mention on your CV, especially if you haven’t had a longer internship.

5.

Hackathons and Competitions: Participating in hackathons or data science competitions (like Kaggle) can be a great way to apply what you’ve learned and meet others in the field. These experiences look great on a CV and can also give you talking points in interviews.

As for audit, it’s a solid choice too, especially if you like working with numbers and stats. You might want to look into some basic finance or accounting concepts if you’re serious about that path, but your programming skills would still be super useful there.
Overall, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Keep exploring your options and building up your experience however you can. It’ll definitely pay off when it comes time to apply for grad roles!
Good luck with everything! 😊
Sumayyah
Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience

hey thanks so much for the response, i heard so much about how bad the market is that it kinda made me nervous lol

i know this is really hard to answer, but do you think some virtual internships (im planning to do some in data, as well as accounting tbh just to cover my bases for the future) + a good degree grade, would make me competitive in eg, big4 or other companies' grad schemes, or like idk the analytics and technology sides of those?

sorry im just a bit ..apprehensive..? about everything all of a sudden as there's so many possibilities and i didnt think this far and feel so unprepared lol

thanks for the response!!

Would software engineering as a degree close off data or business analytics jobs?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you