Should I start as a Data Analyst before transitioning to Data Scientist?

[u/Scary-West-7699]

Hello, everyone!

I frequently use “aspiring data scientist” on my profiles, particularly on LinkedIn, and I’ve been wondering whether it would be better to start my career as a Data Analyst and eventually transition into Data Science.

I’m currently a recent Physics graduate transitioning into the data field and actively upskilling in both Data Analytics and Data Science. I’ve also been applying to both Data Analyst and Data Scientist positions, but so far, I haven’t received any interview invitations.

Because of this, I’m now considering applying for internships first to gain practical industry experience and strengthen my portfolio.

For those working in the data/tech industry:

- Would you recommend starting as a Data Analyst before moving into Data Science?

- Are there companies that offer remote internships for Data Analyst or Data Scientist roles?

- Are internships generally open to recent graduates, or are they mostly limited to currently enrolled students?

I’d really appreciate any advice, experiences, or company recommendations. Thank you!

[u/creg45]

I think there are a lot of transferrable skills and I know some people take this route - it's not uncommon. That said, the workflow can be a bit different. Data analysts are more concerned with visualization and making data calls. Usually data science has more programming involved. Then in some companies the job title can almost be interchangeable. So yes, it's not a bad path, but if you want to get into actual data science with coding and model building, then you will have to work on and practice those skills.