{"id":8984,"date":"2025-12-09T20:26:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T20:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/online\/?p=8984"},"modified":"2025-12-18T19:48:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:48:13","slug":"pursue-the-future-by-acquiring-new-skills-now-with-purdues-online-data-portfolio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/online\/pursue-the-future-by-acquiring-new-skills-now-with-purdues-online-data-portfolio\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Analytics vs Data Science \u2013 what\u2019s the difference? Here\u2019s what to know about data management careers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Career forecast: Mostly sunny with 100% chance of change<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The data sector has grown so vast, it influences every industry on the planet. And, in a truly cyclical manner, all of that information created, collected and shared by those industries fuels the growth of the data sector.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World Economic Forum\u2019s Future of Jobs Report 2025<\/a> found technological skills  \u2014 especially those involving artificial intelligence and big data \u2014 are expected to escalate in value globally among employers between 2025 and 2030.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrends in AI and information processing technology are expected to create 11 million jobs, while simultaneously displacing nine million others, more than any other technology trend,\u201d the report predicts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those working in the data sector will not have a long wait. According to a 2025 Tech Target article<\/a>, job growth from 2025 to 2035 is expected to rise 414 percent for data scientists and data analysts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That dynamic is already impacting the American job market. Of the 20 fastest growing occupations<\/a> identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a quarter of those careers \u2014  actuaries, data scientists, information security analysts, operations research analysts, and computer and information research scientists \u2014 are data-related. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significance of data cannot be understated. Hidden within terabytes of information can be insights into customer behavior, medical breakthroughs or changing demographic patterns. As former Hewlett-Packard C.E.O. Carly Fiorina said, \u201cThe goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While disruption may be part of the future, so is progress. Purdue University\u2019s online data portfolio can give you the tools needed to position your career for growth. Filled with credentials, certifications and degrees for every level of expertise, our data programs offer today\u2019s professional a launchpad into tomorrow\u2019s opportunities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe build degrees that are really needed in the workforce now and in the future,\u201d said Dimitrios Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online and the Reilly Professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough our strong industry partnerships, we gain insight into the skills that drive progress. Our faculty craft programs that blend solid fundamentals with forward-looking applications, preparing learners for what\u2019s next.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peroulis said the purpose of these programs is to prepare students for the careers of today and those yet to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I think of the phrase \u2018future ready,\u2019 I think of somebody who is going to thrive and lead in a very rapidly changing world,\u201d Peroulis said. \u201cIt’s a matter of giving them a very strong technical foundation. It\u2019s also making them understand how they need to think about the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Purdue’s online data science degrees, certificates and courses. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n Find Programs<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Data management: The new frontier<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Individuals and companies can convert knowledge into power through one of two ways: data analytics and data science. While there are some similarities \u2014 both use data analysis, cleaning and storytelling \u2014 their paths do diverge and require different tools, skillsets and degrees.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data analytics is exploratory by nature. By collecting and analyzing raw information, data analysts can uncover valuable insights such as the most popular items sold, traffic patterns or weaknesses in business strategies.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the employment website Indeed.com<\/a>, employers expect data analysts to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree that includes coursework in computer science, mathematics or statistics, and to know a computer language like Python or SQL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible data analytics<\/strong> careers <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n