Engineering has a lot of branches for you to choose from. However, with constant innovations and inventions, it is getting increasingly difficult to maintain clear lines of distinction between these departments now. It is true that computer science is the base for data science because you need to know complex coding languages and sequences.
The confusion usually also arises between data science and software engineers. This confusion is understandable because data science works on apps and develops features for better functioning of those apps. However, there are some clear distinctions between data science and software engineering. This article will give you a basic guide on how you can determine which career will be better for you.
What is the difference between a data scientist and software engineer?
There is a clear line of distinction that needs to be explored in both aspects of engineering.
- Definition: Just as both the names suggest, data scientists are concerned with processing complex information and making it easier for everyone to understand. A software engineer is concerned with every aspect of a software, tool and app. From its concept to its inception, they are a part of the entire process. There are many regulatory and functional features that come up as the app is in use. These will be corrected by software engineers through various app updates. This is how they maintain smooth functioning of their app even years after it has been launched.
- Methodology: While both are centered on computer coding, software engineering has a lot more coding involved. That is all that the job is essentially about. However, data science specialization also looks into statistics, machine learning, processing data and gathering more data. Therefore, it will not be wrong to assert that data science specialization involves wearing many hats at once. However, that is also why it is such a coveted career now. You need to know a lot more tools, procedures and specializations with data science.
- Pay Scale: Both are, in a way, branches of technology, and then why would there be a difference in the pay scale? As mentioned above, a data science certification requires a little more skill in terms of the expanse of their tasks. Both the careers deal with programming but data science can be more demanding in some areas. This is also why the pay scale for data science is slightly higher as compared to software engineering. However, this difference is negligible. Both careers come with a great pay scale and enough room for growth as you gain more experience in your respective field.
Conclusion
These are some basic differences that both the careers have. It is a matter of what you actually end up doing in your respective roles. However, the base for both these careers is programming and coding. This also makes it easier for you to choose the direction in which you want to take your career in. Data science certification is an added skill you can take on any time you want in your career. That is the benefit of data science.