Double interview Master students Patryk and Jesper: “The minor provides a great indication of what to expect in the Master’s program.”
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Students at Tilburg University now have the opportunity to follow the Data Science in Business minor and the Essential Digital Skills minor. Depending on the bachelor’s program, completing both or just the minor Data Science in Business opens the door to the Master’s program Data Science in Business and Entrepreneurship at JADS—no premaster needed! This streamlined path makes it easier for aspiring data scientists to advance their career.
In this interview we meet Jesper and Patryk, two of the first students to follow the new minor Data Science in Business and started their Masters at JADS. They share how the minor gave them essential technical skills in machine learning, databases, and algorithms, despite coming from non-technical backgrounds. They also reflect on how the minor served as preparation for their Master, giving them a head start in their data science journey.
Why did you choose this minor?
Patryk: “I chose to do the new Data Science in Business minor at Tilburg University because if I completed certain courses, I could skip the pre-master and start immediately with the Master’s program at JADS in February without losing time. It seemed like the fastest path to begin the master’s.”
Jesper: “I had a similar experience. I didn’t want to have a gap year, so the minor was a great solution. My interest in data science came from a side job, and I saw this as an opportunity to test if I really liked the master’s before fully committing. Plus, I didn’t need to take extra math or stats courses, just three main ones, which made it even more appealing.”
What did you learn during the minor?
Jesper: “For me, the minor provided a solid foundation in machine learning, databases, and algorithms. Coming from an economics background, these topics were completely new to me. It was a great introduction to the technical side of data science, and I now see these concepts reappearing in the master’s program.”
Patryk: “For me, the most valuable part was learning about data structures and working on practical projects, like coding. The machine learning project in the minor was eye-opening because it helped me understand data science better and showed me which areas—like machine learning, SQL databases, and algorithms—interest me the most.”
Do you think the minor was a good preparation for the master’s program?
J+P: “Yes absolutely, because based on what we’ve heard from pre-master students, the structure, lecturers, and assignments seem to be almost identical to the minor. So for us, it was like doing the pre-master, but in a different semester at a different locations in order to be immediately eligible for the master’s degree. So, it worked really well for our situation and the minor provides a great indication of what to expect in the master’s program.”
How are your experiences with the master’s so far?
Patryk: “The master’s has been challenging, especially coming from a business or economic background rather than computer science. Jesper and I started mid-year, so we had to catch up quickly, but the lecturers were really supportive. Once we settled in, we were able to keep up with the others.”
Jesper: “Starting mid-year, although not recommended by the university, was doable for me. The small class sizes made it easier to connect with classmates and get help when needed. Despite the initial challenges, we managed to keep up with all the courses, and I’ve found it very rewarding so far.”
What are your future plans after graduation?
Patryk: “I’m considering either starting my own company or joining a larger one to gain more practical experience in the field. Learning from people who have been in the industry for 20 years could be fascinating as well.”
Jesper: “I’m interested in gaining more technical skills first, for example working as a data consultant via the JADS MKB Datalab and helping small businesses with data. And then maybe starting something of my own later down the road.”
Do you have any advice for others considering this journey?
Jesper: “I encourage anyone considering the pre-master’s program or minor to go for it, even if you come from a non-technical background. The courses and starting in February are manageable, and the support from lecturers and fellow students is great. It’s a new adventure, but if you’re genuinely interested in data science, it’s definitely worth it.”
Patryk: “Self-motivation is key, especially if you’re coming from a different field. It might be tough at first, but with the right mindset and effort, you’ll be able to keep up and enjoy the journey.”
