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Double the Degree, Double the Opportunities: Double Major Tara Ghose Shares Her Journey
Tara Ghose, B.S. in Data Science Ambassador
Majors: Data Science and Economics
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: East Hanover, New Jersey
Meet Tara Ghose, a University of Virginia (UVA) second-year student who's taking on not one, but two majors—data science and economics. Her journey started with a bit of exploration, trying out different fields before finding the perfect combo. Inspired by a family connection to economics and a desire for a versatile skill set, Gose is diving deep into both technical and analytical worlds. In this Q&A, she shares her experiences balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social life, plus some insider tips on making a double major work. She also talks about how this decision is shaping her future career plans and offer some great advice for anyone thinking about doing the same.
Q: Why did you initially consider double majoring and were you influenced by anyone?
When I first arrived at UVA, I was extremely undecided about what to major in. Initially, I thought I would pursue math, then I considered Batten, and later, I explored Commerce. I had many interests and wasn't sure if there was a singular major that encompassed all of them. I also knew that job security and career flexibility were important factors in my decision.
Data science stood out because it offered the technical rigor and real-world application of a STEM program, while economics intrigued me for its introduction to market behavior and government-focused policy. My decision to major in economics was also influenced by my mom, who is an economics professor.
Growing up, I was exposed to her work and passion for the field, and her insights helped me appreciate how economics can help address real-world problems. I realized that pairing economics with data science would give me a unique set of skills: strong analytical abilities and a deeper understanding of economic systems. Double majoring not only increases my employability but also opens doors to a wide range of career paths, from data analysis and tech to finance and policy.
Q: What has been your experience with social activities, co-curricular engagement, and academic demands of your current major? Are there any strategies or techniques that have helped you?
The economics major at UVA has about 11 classes and requirements and after my first year I had 4 of them completed. Hearing about the job placement of economic majors, the Economic Career Office and Economics Club were definitely factors I took into account when deciding to double major. There are ample resources to support academic and professional endeavors.
I enjoy involving myself in different social and recreational activities and clubs to help balance my days out. If I did not have club meetings and rehearsals to look forward to, I would not have the energy and motivation I currently do. I enjoy singing in the Virginia Women’s Chorus, serving as Secretary of the College Council and working as a research assistant.
Q: What assumptions did you make about double majoring that have turned out to be true or false?
I assumed that double majoring with a B.S. in Data Science (BSDS) would be impossible since typically a B.S. is a heavier course load than a B.A. I did not know that the BSDS program has a lot of time built in to pursue other interests, whether that be the data science concentrations, individual classes or an entire major.
I also did not know what the distribution of classes would be and if I would have to credit overload every semester to finish my data science and economics majors and general education requirements. After meeting with the BSDS academic advisor, Heather Corley, we devised a plan where I am able to fulfill all necessary coursework in a timely manner.
Q: Do you think pursuing a double major enhances your employability and career options in the job market?
I believe that technical skills, conceptual understanding and application-based experience are extremely important for employability. They combine topics learned in a classroom with real-world utilization. By double majoring in data science and economics I have opened myself up to the use cases of data science in business. Business consists of finance, sales, marketing, consulting and so much more.
Whether I decide to focus on predictive modeling, machine learning in trading or consumer behavior, both of my degrees will help improve my overall skill set and ability to carry out relevant projects. However, in a few years I am not sure what I will like or how I will want to use my degrees. By double majoring I am opening myself up to many different paths instead of limiting my possible future careers.
Q: Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how do you envision your major to help you achieve those goals?
Candidly, after graduation I do not know where I will be, but I know I will have the skills and knowledge to perform a plethora of jobs. I hope that throughout the next three years and by taking more advanced coursework in data science and economics I will identify the intersections I am most drawn to. Additionally, I hope I am able to gain experience with different job types, whether in analyst jobs doing economic research or working at a financial firm as a data scientist.
Q: What advice would you give to other students who are considering a double major, based on your own experience and decision-making process?
If you are considering a double major, the one thing you cannot do is doubt yourself. Do not immediately get intimidated by credits or course load. Talking to an academic advisor is by far the clearest and most direct way of getting valuable input you can implement to decide the logistics of double majoring.
Additionally, chatting with peers older than you can help gain insight on the student-experience and you are likely to get some great advice. After speaking to others and considering your options, if you feel it would be too large of a time commitment, you can always minor, take individual classes you are most interested in, or join clubs related to the area of study you were considering.
Q: Are there any resources, individuals, or tools at the School of Data Science that helped you make your decision?
When I learned that there was an academic advisor and career support solely for the B.S. in Data Science cohort, I was extremely intrigued. Since UVA is a larger school, it is easy to feel like a small fish and a big pond, so hearing that there were specialized resources and people to support me through my academics and professional future was comforting.
Since then, I have used the career center for help on resumes, interviews and networking and have learned a lot of skills I will continue to use. Academic advising has also been easy since our advisor is extremely helpful and supportive. Over the summer I was actually unsure of my academic planning for the next three years, which caused a lot of stress and anxiety. I was able to send her a copy of my plan and together we tweaked it so that I could fulfill my data science, economics and general education requirements efficiently.
