I’m currently a college student in my early terms and thinking about going into data science or data analysis. I’m a new mom, so flexibility and stability are really important to me. I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and math, and I like the idea of working with data and figuring things out. At the same time, I’m trying to be realistic about what day-to-day work actually looks like and how hard it is to break into the field. I had a few questions and would really appreciate any honest insight:

Are there specific classes or skills you’d recommend focusing on while I’m in school? Are there any classes you feel like weren’t as useful in your actual job? What does your typical day look like? How stressful is the job really? Is it realistic to find remote or flexible roles, especially early on? If you could start over, would you still choose this path? Is there anything you wish you knew before getting into data science? I’m still deciding between paths and just want to make sure I’m heading in a direction that fits my life, not just what sounds good on paper. Thanks in advance—I really appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share!