How to Secure a Data Science Role After An Online MBA?

How to Secure a Data Science Role After An Online MBA?

#MBA
Lankalapalli HarshaUpdated on 08 Sep 2025, 11:01 AM IST

An online MBA offers diverse opportunities beyond business roles. With the increasing use of data in strategic decision-making, many MBA graduates are increasingly exploring the dynamic field of data science. An Online MBA degree provides managerial insights, and when combined with analytical skills, it can open doors to impactful careers in data-driven industries.

This Story also Contains

  1. Can an Online MBA Help You Land a Data Science Job?
  2. Key Skills Required for Data Science Roles
  3. Career Options For Data Science Roles After An Online MBA
  4. How To Successfully Transition To A Data Science Role After Online MBA?
How to Secure a Data Science Role After An Online MBA?
How To Secure A Data Science Role After An Online MBA

An MBA equips you with business acumen, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, qualities employers value in data professionals who align insights with business goals. However, pursuing data science roles also requires technical expertise. This article highlights how to secure a data science job after an online MBA programme, analysing the career and salary insights within this industry.

Can an Online MBA Help You Land a Data Science Job?

An online MBA strengthens your grasp of business strategy, leadership, and market dynamics. When combined with a specialisation in data science or analytics, it becomes a powerful combination. Data science today is not just about coding. Organisations are looking for professionals who can combine data insights with business intelligence to solve real-world problems.

SPJIMR Mumbai PGDM Admissions 2026

Ranked No. 3 Business School in India and no.35 in world by Financial Times MiM 2025 Ranking | Highest CTC: INR 89 LPA

IMT Ghaziabad PGDM Admissions 2026

AACSB, NBA & SAQS Accredited | H-CTC 41.55 LPA | Merit Based Scholarship

An Online MBA degree provides specialisations in analytics, machine learning, or business intelligence, helping learners focus on the right path. However, candidates can also acquire the necessary technical expertise during their MBA studies or soon after, effectively complementing their business foundation with essential data skills.

Top UGC Approved Colleges for Online MBA
Download this ebook and get all details related to the top UGC approved colleges for Online MBA.
Download List Here

Key Skills Required for Data Science Roles

To transition from an online MBA background into data science, you need to acquire certain technical and analytical skills. These will complement your business knowledge and make your profile more competitive.

The table below showcases the key skills required for data science roles:

SkillImportanceHow to Gain It

Python or R

Essential for data manipulation and machine learning

Regular coding, practice with real datasets

SQL

Helps in querying databases effectively

Practice with tools such as MySQL or PostgreSQL

Machine Learning

Enables predictions and insights from data

Along with Online MBA degree, gain knowledge from platforms like Coursera, edX, or DataCamp

Data Visualisation

Helps communicate data clearly to stakeholders

Learn Tableau, Power BI, or Matplotlib

Big Data Tools

Manage and process large datasets

Gain exposure to Hadoop, Spark, or Google BigQuery

Cloud Platforms

Support scalable data storage and analytics

Explore AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure training

Business Acumen

Bridges gap between technical output and business goals

Develop through online MBA coursework, case studies, and industry projects

Communication Skills

Crucial for presenting insights to non-technical teams

Improve through presentations, storytelling workshops, and real-world practice


Also Read: IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications Placements 2025: Highest Package, Top Recruiters

Career Options For Data Science Roles After An Online MBA

An Online MBA equips professionals with business insights, enabling them to apply data-driven decisions effectively. Combining management skills with data expertise opens opportunities in analytics, business intelligence, and product management, where understanding both data and strategy is highly valued.

The table below showcases the job opportunities that candidates can secure and the average salary they can expect for data science roles after an online MBA:

Job RoleAverage Salary (per annum)

Analytics Manager

Rs 9 LPA

Business Intelligence Consultant

Rs 12.6 LPA

Product Analyst

Rs 11 LPA

Data Analytics Consultant

Rs 7.3 LPA

Data Strategy Manager

Rs 26 LPA

Source: Glassdoor and Ambition Box

Also Read: Does an Online MBA Really Guarantee Placement? Here is the Truth

How To Successfully Transition To A Data Science Role After Online MBA?

To increase your chances of entering data science after an online MBA, students must consider these points:

  • Choose the right online MBA specialisation: Opt for business analytics, data science, or artificial intelligence-related streams.
  • Acquire technical skills: Learn Python, SQL, data visualisation, and machine learning from trusted online platforms, along with pursuing your online MBA degree.
  • Work on real-world projects: Apply your skills by analysing datasets or participating in competitive platforms.
  • Build a portfolio: Showcase your work in a portfolio or GitHub account. Include case studies, business dashboards, and data models.
  • Leverage your Online MBA network: Reach out to alumni, attend industry webinars, and utilise your institute’s career support services.
MIT World Peace University MBA Admissions 2026

Highest CTC 30 LPA | #9 in Management Category by Times B-School | Merit-Based Scholarship Upto - 50 Crores

IFMR Graduate School of Business MBA Admissions 2026

UGC Approved Programs | 100% Placement Record | Up to 100% Scholarships | Highest CTC 21.32 LPA

Final Thoughts

Moving into data science after an online MBA is possible. Combining business knowledge with data skills provides students a competitive edge within their careers. By learning, practicing, and building a strong portfolio, professionals can position themselves for a rewarding, results-driven data science career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What industries hire MBA graduates for data science roles?
A:

Top industries include banking, consulting, e-commerce, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Companies look for professionals who understand both data and business problems.

Q: Is work experience necessary for a data science job?
A:

While experience helps, many recruiters look at hands-on projects and portfolios. Internships or freelance projects also add value.

Q: Which Online MBA specialisation is best for data science?
A:

An Online MBA in Business Analytics, Data Science, or Information Technology provides the most relevant foundation. These specialisations often include practical data handling courses.

Q: Do I need to learn programming to secure a data science job?
A:

Yes, knowledge of programming languages like Python or R is essential for performing tasks such as data cleaning, analysis, and building models.

Q: Can an Online MBA alone help me land a data science job?
A:

While an Online MBA enhances your strategic thinking, you need technical skills such as programming, statistics, and data handling to be considered for data science roles.

Upcoming Exams
Certifications By Top Providers
Introduction to Managerial Economics
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Fundamental Concepts of Electricity
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 3320 courses
Edx
 1992 courses
Swayam
 1936 courses
Coursera
 1660 courses
NPTEL
 1258 courses
Futurelearn
 1074 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to MBA

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to MBA ?

Hello there!!

Attached below is the link of the list of top colleges accepting NMAT from Hyderabad. Kindly go through the link from the official website of Careers360.

https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-mba-colleges-in-hyderabad-accepting-nmat-by-gmac

Thank you!

Hello Aspirant

To know the college ranking and listing, you can refer here: https://bschool.careers360.com/colleges/ranking

Also, I suggest you visit the college's official site to get all information about the college, ratings, placement and education because all these matters.

Hello,

To get admitted to the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), BHU, for an MBA in 2026, you must clear the CAT entrance exam. For that you need to fill out the application form of the CAT in August 2026, which you can get on the Official CAT website

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

Most colleges have an attendance criteria of 75–80%, meaning students must attend at least this percentage of classes to be eligible for exams or internal assessments. Falling below this limit can lead to loss of marks or being barred from exams.

The total fee for a two-year regular MBA course varies depending on the institute:

  • Government/University colleges: 50,000 – 2 lakhs (total)

  • Private colleges: 3 lakh – 10 lakhs (total)

  • Top institutes like IIMs: 15 lakh – 25 lakhs (total)

It’s best to check the specific college website for the exact fee structure and attendance rules.

Hope you understand.