Data Science in Healthcare or Software Development?
Hello everyone, I'm at a career crossroads and could use some advice from the community.
I have an unconventional background: a medical background and a master’s degree in public health. I decided at the beginning of COVID to pursue a bachelor’s in computer science because I was interested in IT and software development and the benefits it could bring (high pay, ability to work abroad). I’m now finishing that degree and have been offered a Data Scientist role in healthcare, which seems stable given Germany's focus on health data and digital transformation.
But I’m also concerned about getting too specialized. While software development skills can be applied across different industries, healthcare data science feels more niche and less transferable. And with the current job market downturn, oversaturated junior software roles, and tools like ChatGPT changing the landscape, it’s hard to know which path will be more future-proof.
Would a specialized role in healthcare data science be a smart long-term choice, or is general software development a safer, more versatile path? Anyone with similar experiences? Thanks in advance!