Hey everyone! I’m about to finish my math degree and really need some guidance here. I got accepted into a Master’s program that focuses on data science, and most graduates end up as data scientists or machine learning engineers.
I’m torn between two paths right now. On one hand, I could pursue management consulting at top firms like McKinsey or BCG. I’ve tried some case studies and they were okay - definitely more about working with people. On the other hand, there’s data science which involves programming, statistical analysis, and ML algorithms. Even though I have a math background, I’m not super technical and sometimes struggle with coding.
I want to focus on one direction over the summer before starting my master’s program. What do you think I should choose? Some people say starting with a technical role is always better, but others mention that consulting opens great exit opportunities after a few years.
From what I know, entry-level salaries are similar for both consultant roles and junior data scientist positions, but these careers go in completely different directions long-term. Which field do you think offers better growth potential beyond the first few years? Any insights would be really helpful!