Avoid Choosing University Majors Based on FOMO; Opt for Data Science to Ensure Career Readiness
The phenomenon of ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) is increasingly influencing how students, particularly Gen Z, select their university majors. Many are making decisions based solely on social media trends or following their peers, without considering their personal interests, potential, or the actual requirements of the labour market.
Addressing this phenomenon, Universitas Nusa Mandable (UNM), a Digital Business Campus, has reminded students of the importance of making wise and strategic academic choices. While choosing a major based on current trends may seem safe amidst the heavy flow of information, such decisions risk future complications, including choosing the wrong field, losing academic motivation, and facing difficulties competing in the professional world.
Tati Mardiana, Head of the Data Science Study Programme at Universitas Nusa Mandiri, stated that choosing a major must be based on a mature understanding of industrial developments. “Choosing a major is not enough just because of trends or following others. What is more important is understanding the direction of industrial development and aligning it with one’s personal potential,” she said in a release received on Monday.
In the era of digital transformation, she noted that data-related skills are among the most sought-after competencies. “The ability to process and analyse data is a crucial skill required across various sectors, ranging from business to government.”
Advancements in technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data, are driving the increased demand for talent in the field of Data Science. This discipline involves studying how to collect, process, and analyse data to generate insights that support decision-making across various industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and the public sector.
As a Digital Business Campus, UNM offers its Data Science Study Programme through an adaptive learning approach via the Internship Experience Program (IEP) 3+1. Under this programme, students undergo three years of campus-based learning followed by one year of direct industry experience through internships, professional projects, or collaborative research.
“This approach ensures that graduates are not only theoretically excellent but also possess practical experience relevant to the needs of the working world,” she added.
Ultimately, choosing a university major is not about following trends, but about determining one’s future direction. The right decision will open wider and more sustainable career opportunities. For the younger generation wishing to remain relevant in the digital era, choosing majors based on data and technology is a strategic step.