Posted February 21, 2020
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — When you look at the Nashville skyline, it feels like there's nothing holding us back. But in the world of technology, there is one big exception. "Every corporation right now is looking for people that can analyze data because there’s so much you can do with it," Cayson Seipel said.
Seipel is a self-described data nerd in his freshman year at MTSU. He was dismayed when he learned that none of our local universities have a major focused on data science.
That is, until now.
MTSU President Sidney McPhee and other university officials announced starting this Fall, MTSU is offering bachelor, masters and PhD level majors in analyzing and understanding data. Much like our city on the rise, the new data science institute at MTSU is poised to quickly become a leader. "There are about three universities in America that are leading on this. I am positive, in twelve months, MTSU is in that top three," Mike Krause, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, told the crowd Tuesday.
With entry level salaries averaging $70,000 to $85,000, “data scientists” fill the critical role within business and industry of analyzing and interpreting the mountains of data that decision-makers need to maintain a competitive edge.
“The demand for data scientists is intense and predicted to soar nationwide by 28 percent this year alone,” McPhee said. “In Middle Tennessee, tech workforce growth is projected to outpace national growth by an eye-popping 78 percent over the next five years. This bodes very well for the economic vibrancy of our communities, and demonstrates the critical need for more technology-focused programs.”