Which data career path is the most realistic for a fresher in 2026?

I'm confused about which data career path to choose.

Specially among these 4 roles:

Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, ML Engineer,

Everyone seems to have a different opinion. I just want to know ground reality.

My background:

BTech in Computer Science

No industry experience

I'm ready to learn full-time, build projects, and upskill

My main goal is to get my first job.

I'm not worried about the starting salary. I just want to choose the path that gives me the best chance of getting hired.

My questions:

1. Which role is the most realistic for a fresher with no experience?

2. Is it realistic to target Data Scientist directly, or is it better to start as a Data Analyst or Data Engineer? I just don't want to regret after investing time for months. So, which path will give an entry level opportunity realistically?

3. Are entry-level ML Engineer and Data Engineer jobs actually available, or do most companies expect prior experience?

4. Which of these roles currently has the best balance of:

Number of job openings, Demand over the next 5–10 years, Ease of getting a first job

5. If you were starting from scratch today, which path would you choose and why?

I'd especially appreciate responses from people currently working in Data Analytics, Data Science, Data Engineering, or ML Engineering or anyone with knowledge about this topic.

Thanks in advance!