Should I double major in CS and Physics or CS and Math

If there is any one enterprise that needs data scientists, it is CERN and its LHC experiments. I would look into seeing if you can get internships with the data analysis group at CERN. Also, look at job postings for data scientists to see what qualifications companies want; I would think a physics and computer science double major is pretty good for starting in the data analysis field. This is just my opinion without any proof, but I would think statistics courses would likely be the area of mathematics that is most desired by companies.

Hello Amit.

How are you doing in the Physics program? Are you aware of the types of jobs you could engage with your current major?

I have no doubt that students engaging another major potentially broaden their capacity to make a contribution to corporations, non-profit institutions, research universities and labs that need expertise.

However, as an educator, I would ask you to ask a real world experienced professor who can ask you additional pertinent questions: Have you made up your mind about the types of jobs you want? Do they require a physics degree? No? Consider a change of major, since you are not interested in becoming a physicist.

Would the CS and Math help you take advantage of desired opportunities? Would you be able to gain access to a wider area of your chosen profession? Specialization is key for a lot of undergraduates searching to access today's labor markets; would it be better to narrow in your professional areas of interests? More importantly, would taking on another major as you continue in your current program add to time and expense?

I advise students outside of my professional area of expertise all of the time and in your case I would encourage you to approach a professional or a trusted professor. Also, visit the government's (ad-free, sponsor free) jobs website, the Department of Labor runs it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics permit you to look for jobs in which you have keen interest. The website provides specific information about the required education and background to qualify for those jobs. It helps you to find out how to get there from here. http://bls.gov.

I don't know how much help this might be. As a young person, your career interests may change many times. You also appear to be engaged in certain aspects of your major. Using the website may actually show the physics major may help and not hurt your eligibility for desired jobs and careers.

Hello Amit,

Although there are specific skills you’ll need as a data scientist, generally there are a variety of ways to acquire those inside and outside academia. As someone in a tech career who majored in philosophy, I can tell you that, in the end, companies both need and desire employees with creative problem solving skills. One way to acquire those is to study the history of philosophy wherein philosophers struggled to address timeless questions which have proven very hard to answer. Another might well be studying Physics which has a similar legacy.

The risk you take taking this path is your initial credentials for your first job might not appear as qualified as some of your peers. The opportunity you seize by taking this path is you present yourself as a scientist who is interested in solving more challenging problems. After the first job your academic credentials decline in importance and you build a reputation based on the work you do.

It’s also clear you’are more excited about the Physics program and I’d encourage you to stay aligned with that excitement- in the long run that will insure you end up in a career you don’t hate (maybe even love). That will obviously make you happier, but it also is important to the people with which you work. Team dynamics are a crucial part of professional success and people want to work with people they like and people with a positive energetic attitude.

Hello, Amit!

It will make you competitive to double major in both majors, but I often advise my students during academic advising sessions to consider pursuing a master's degree upon graduation in one of the field's. Pursuing a master's degree will make you even more competitive in the job market.

Best of luck with with your educational and professional endeavors!