Zara on the master Data Science and Marketing Analytics

Zara is currently enrolled in the master Data Science and Marketing Analytics at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). Originally from Malaysia and raised in Singapore, she first came to the Netherlands for her bachelor in Economics and Business Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Now, she has chosen to stay in Rotterdam to deepen her analytical skills.

How did you end up studying in the Netherlands?

'I was considering studying somewhere in Europe. I also looked at the UK, but I had already lived there, and it can be very expensive. The Netherlands seemed like a great option because you can study in English but also learn Dutch. I’m actually learning Dutch now. I also really like the work–life balance here and the opportunities you get. It just felt like the right place.'

What made you decide to pursue a master's degree?

'I wasn’t completely sure at first whether I wanted to continue after my bachelor. But in the European job market, many employers expect you to have a master’s degree. My main question was: which one should I choose? I also looked at programmes at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, but I realised that I really wanted to develop hard skills.'

Why did you choose Data Science and Marketing Analytics?

'I was deciding between topics like sustainability and data science. In the end, I realised that data science would give me very practical skills. Even if you don’t end up working directly in data, it’s a very flexible degree. When people see data science on your CV, they immediately recognise it as something technical and valuable. That made the choice clearer for me.'

What do you like about the programme so far?

'I really like that the master is much more practical than my bachelor. My bachelor was quite theoretical, while now we work on real-life cases and projects with companies. I recently worked on a seminar case with UNICEF. That kind of experience is very valuable because you see how the methods you learn are actually used in practice.'

Was it difficult to start a technical programme like this?

'At the beginning it was definitely challenging. I had almost no coding experience when I started. But the programme really teaches you from scratch, so you learn step by step. Everyone starts at a similar level, and you’re surrounded by very motivated students. That actually makes it quite motivating.'

What makes this master a good fit for you personally?

'I like being challenged. The first block was intense because everything was new, but that’s exactly what I was looking for. The methods we learn help you answer questions like: how can we predict something, or which factors influence certain outcomes? I’m interested in working in the corporate world, and companies have a lot of data but often don’t know how to use it properly. I like the idea of turning messy data into insights that people can actually use.'

Why did you decide to stay at Erasmus University Rotterdam for your master?

'I had already built my life here during my bachelor. I was working, I had my social life here, and I liked the city. Rotterdam has a real city vibe but also a strong student community. The campus is very international, which I enjoy. Another reason was that the programme combines data science with economics, which fits well with my background.'

What helped you most when making your study choice?

'The programme website was very clear about the courses and structure. I also appreciated the flexibility of the programme, especially because I’m working alongside my studies. If I had questions, lecturers and coordinators were very quick to respond. That made me feel confident about my choice.'

What advice would you give to students who are still choosing a master programme?

'Think about where you want to end up in the future. If you’re interested in understanding data and turning it into insights, this kind of background can be very valuable. But you also have to enjoy the challenge. My advice would also be to talk to current students and attend events like the Master Open Day. Hearing their experiences can really help you decide whether a programme is the right fit.'