Making Data Digestible: A Journey into Data Science

David Nhan Thien Nguyen works as a System & Data Specialist at Nic. Christiansen Group, a company that imports and sells cars like BMW, MINI, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover and BYD to Danish consumers. In his role, David ensures the company’s vast data sets—everything from customer and dealer information to detailed car specifications—work in harmony.

“It's a big task to get all the data to sync, but I love it,” David shares, adding:

“For customers, being able to understand and navigate all this technical data is essential, especially for those who want to customize their dream car online. It’s a service that matters.”

Drowning in data

Data is everywhere, and the volumes we collect can be overwhelming. As early as 1982, John Naisbitt identified this paradox in his book Megatrends: “We are drowning in data but starving for knowledge.” Naisbitt described how, on the one hand, we collect vast amounts of data, but on the other hand, this data doesn’t provide us with any meaningful knowledge. Data by itself is not enough—it has to be processed and interpreted to become useful information.

That’s exactly what David specializes in: making complex data "digestible."

His path to becoming a data expert, however, wasn't straightforward. After completing a bachelor’s in Information Science, IT, and Interaction Design, David decided to pursue a master’s in Data Science at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). While the transition seemed logical, it came with its challenges.

"I’m pretty sure those who come from a programming or mathematics background have an easier time," David admits. "I had done some programming during my bachelor’s, but it was almost at kindergarten level. The technical demands of the master's were on a completely different level."

He recalls that the workload met his expectations of being tough—partly because he wasn't fully prepared for the level of programming required, but also because there were many new academic traditions in Data Science that took some getting used to.

"It wasn’t that it was harder than expected, just different," David says. "For example, using LaTex instead of Word for assignments. It’s a great program, but when you're used to Word, it takes time to learn something new."

The Diverse World of Data Science

Data Science attracts a wide variety of people. Some, like David, come straight from a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the program after years in the workforce. Some students move to Odense temporarily for the program, while others juggle family and home life in other parts of the country.

"It can be tough to bring everyone together, especially when people have commitments elsewhere," David explains. "But there were still plenty of opportunities to connect. Even though I lived in a dormitory close to campus, those living farther away formed their own groups, and it never felt like anyone was left out."

David found that living near campus had its perks, making it easier to engage with both the academic and social aspects of university life.

"When the math or programming got tricky, I could pop over to the study café and get help from classmates. Being close to campus also meant spontaneous meet-ups—whether it was a quick trip to the Friday bar or just grabbing a coffee with a fellow student."

Sign up for “Online Open Days”

David’s advice to anyone considering a master’s in Data Science is simple: visit the program and see it for yourself.

"Sign up for 'Online Open Days' and experience what the course is like," he recommends. "I did, and it made the decision to join much easier. It also helped me have two great years at SDU."

For David, the hard work has paid off. He’s now doing what he loves—making data digestible and accessible, while helping his company make the most of the information at their fingertips.