Online BBA to Data Science: A Complete Roadmap

Imagine a fortune teller uses stacks of spreadsheets instead of a crystal ball 🔮. Sounds thrilling and impossible, right? In an increasingly data-driven world, it won’t be a shock if this becomes possible. In the modern-day, data science is no less than magic,🪄 which is transforming industries. It is one of the most rewarding paths that boost your professional credibility and offer job security. Analysing big data and predicting business outcomes are things every industry is striving to achieve these days. And for BBA graduates, transitioning to data science can be the perfect next step for career growth.

If you are passionate about numbers and data, then data science can be an excellent field to explore and learn about organisational decision-making backed by data and analysis. Having management skills along with technical expertise will give you an additional competitive advantage and help you thrive in the market. In this blog, we will give you a complete roadmap for transitioning from an online BBA to data science.

Data Science: What is It All About?

Data science is a unique interdisciplinary field that blends technical skills with organisational principles. Here, you learn how to extract valuable data from structured and unstructured data and analyse them for concrete outcomes. Using techniques like machine learning, analysis, and data visualisation, you make informed decisions. With the growing dependency on data-driven solutions, it has become one of the most sought-after career paths across industries like healthcare, finance, marketing, and technology.

Who Can Apply for Postgraduation in Data Science?

Postgraduation in data science is ideal for individuals who want to learn more about data analysis and data-driven techniques. It is purely a technical field, but the best part is you don’t need a technical bachelor’s degree to pursue this programme. Let’s understand who can apply for postgraduation in data science.

• ☑
  Working professionals in IT, analytics, statistics, big data or machine learning
• ☑
  Fresh graduates from engineering, mathematics or IT backgrounds
• ☑
  Final-year students completing their graduation on or before the start of the programme
• ☑
  Graduation in any discipline with 40% marks in the last qualifying exam
• ☑
  Candidates below 40% marks may need to appear for an entrance exam to qualify for aptitude

Benefits of Learning Data Science

Due to the rising popularity of the data-driven market, data science has become one of the top-listed career streams today. From diverse job roles and global exposure to high-earning salaries, a career in data science is highly rewarding. Let’s discuss the key benefits of pursuing data science as a career. 

• ☑
  High demand across diverse industries and job security
• ☑
  Increase in your earning potential and lucrative salary packages
• ☑
  Having opportunities to work on real-world organisational challenges
• ☑
  Diverse career roles, such as data analyst, data scientist, and machine learning engineer
• ☑
  Remote work opportunities and global career scope
• ☑
  Enhancing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Course Duration

A postgraduation programme in data science can be anything, a postgraduate diploma or an MBA in data science. The duration is typically 2 years.

Programme Fee Range

The fee for post-graduation data science programmes ranges between ₹50,000/- and ₹2,00,000. It can either be a postgraduate diploma or a degree programme. So the fee would vary accordingly.

Salary Range (Annual)

INR 22.5 LPA to INR 30 LPA

Transitioning From Online BBA to Data Science – Is it Really Worth It?

No wonder the demand for data science is high in the job market. It is regarded as a transformative programme that helps you create global opportunities in the job market. If you are a BBA graduate, then a postgraduate degree in data science could significantly enhance your career prospects. It is an ideal course that combines business acumen and innovative technical skills. Here are some valid reasons why transitioning to data science is brilliant for you.

• ☑
  Global Career Opportunities: Data science is one of the highest-paying career fields today. It allows you to use innovative technical skills and offers career opportunities in various industries like finance, marketing, education, healthcare, operations, and entrepreneurship.
• ☑
  Use Your Business Skills: Your BBA background gives you an edge in understanding business challenges, making organisational skills valuable across industries, even in data science roles.
• ☑
  High Earning Potential: Data scientists, data engineers, and data analysts in India can earn an average salary ranging between INR 20.5 to INR 30 lakhs per year.
• ☑
  Diverse Applications: Data-driven solutions are crucial in industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and IT, where skilled data science professionals are in high demand.
• ☑
  Career Stability: As industries increasingly rely on data, data science professionals enjoy recognition, flexibility, and long-term job stability.

5 Crucial Steps to Start a Career in Data Science After Online BBA

Choosing a career field like data science may feel overwhelming, but it is worth the investment. Here, we will discuss some of the simple steps that you make your career transition to data science seamless and hassle-free.

Step 1: Join a Foundational Course in Data Science

If you are an online BBA graduate with no prior technical knowledge, then it is best for you to join a foundational course in data science. In this way, you will have a strong foundation and grip on the fundamentals of data science. You can start by learning the basics of data science through online courses, webinars and workshops. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy are also great for covering data science topics for beginners. A foundational course in data science may cover topics such as:

• ☑
  Statistics & Probability: Learn how to analyse and interpret data effectively.
• ☑
  Programming: Master programming languages like Python or R, which are commonly used in data science.
• ☑
  Data Manipulation & Analysis: Work with tools like Excel, SQL, and Python libraries (Pandas, NumPy) for data processing.
• ☑
  Data Visualisation: Learn how to present data effectively using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python libraries like Matplotlib.

Step 2. Enhance Your Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills

If you are an online BBA graduate, then problem-solving and critical thinking are not alien to you. You are already familiar with organisational strategies and analytical judgement. To succeed in data science, all you need to do is sharpen your analytical thinking and apply it to real-world data. This is a crucial step involving analysing typical data patterns and solving industry problems with data-driven solutions.

Working on small packets of data or projects, either independently or online, can greatly enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills. This is a great way to test your business skills and improve your problem-solving ability.

Step 3. Data Science Techniques

The next step is all about mastering the data science tools and techniques. Many tools, and algorithms in data science are considered crucial in this field. Before diving into the career, you should get a grip on them first. Some of the key areas in data science that you should master are as follows:

• ☑
  Programming Languages: Learn essential programming languages such as Python, R, or Java for data science applications.
• ☑
  Machine Learning: Gain expertise in machine learning algorithms and techniques to build predictive models.
• ☑
  Big Data Techniques: Learn how to process and analyse large datasets using big data tools like Hadoop and Spark.
• ☑
  Data Cleaning: Master techniques to clean and prepare data for analysis using tools like Python, SQL, and Excel.

Step 4: Gain an Online Certification (If Possible)

Having a data science certification can deepen your understanding of the field as a candidate. You will not only have an in-depth knowledge about data segregation and analysis but also how to put that data into use for real-life scenarios. There are several online platforms that allow you to learn at your own pace and have a grip on conventional technical frameworks. A data science certificate will be an add-on to your portfolio and will keep you updated on the latest market trends and data science.

Step 5: Gain Real-Life Experience

Practical experience is extremely important in data science. You can sign up for internships and freelance projects and gain hands-on experience. Working on real-life scenarios will give you an idea about ground realities and will enhance your problem-solving abilities. Remember, practical experiences would greatly boost your portfolio, highlighting your knowledge and skills. And that’s all, you are all ready to dive deep into data science.

Final Words

When you make a transition from business management to data science, it adds an extra edge of competency to your profile. It gives you a good blend of business acumen and technical expertise. You are able to understand organisational challenges more effectively and find data-driven solutions from them. Regardless of the industry, every business benefits from this. The field of data science offers you a wide scope to grow in your career and grab leadership positions in top global corporations and MNCs. So, if you are thinking of changing careers, now is the perfect time to upskill, explore online certifications, and start a new career journey!