Data Science Careers

MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders

MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders

Colleges and Universities, Must Read, Student Section, top20
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MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders

Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Arvind Krishna (IBM) – these tech titans need no introduction. 

But did you know, there was a time when they stood at the same crossroads as you?

MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders

Fresh out of their undergraduate studies and considering their next move, they set out on a journey to greatness. They chose to pursue higher education in the US.

Through this article we are here to help you to carve your own path to success.

As you read on, you’ll come across:

  • The alma maters of industry leaders in Data Science
  • Their chosen courses
  • Personal testimonials
  • Post-graduate career trajectories
  • Essential tips for prospective MS in Data Science students

Let’s begin.

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1. Mukund Khandelwal, Vice President at Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank

Mukund Khandelwal, Vice President at Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank

Source

College of graduation: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Course name: MS in Data Science

Data Science alumni testimonial: 

The MS in Data Science alumni success story from Mukund Khandelwal goes like this: “My GQP team project at WPI was sponsored by NFPA. The team was a mix of Math-heavy as well as Computer Science-heavy students, all from the Data Science program. It was to develop state-of-the-art domain-specific models to translate their proprietary codes and standards from English to Spanish and provide a user interface (UI) to enable seamless translation. As NFPA aims to be the global leader in the elimination of loss from fire, it is imperative that these codes and standards are accessible in various major languages such as Spanish. Hence, being a part of an initiative that benefits society was a great experience.”

Data Science alumni post-graduate career trajectory: 

  • Quant Associate at Wells Fargo (June 2019 – October 2021)
  • Quant Specialist at Wells Fargo (October 2021 – November 2022)
  • Vice President, Quant at Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank (Current)

Tips for prospective MS in Data Science students:

  1. Join opportunities like GQP(Graduate Qualifying Projects) to apply your data science skills and gain practical experience.
  2. Collaborate with peers from varied backgrounds for effective problem-solving and broader understanding.
  3. Choose impactful projects that challenge you and positively impact society. This will provide you with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, as well as enhance your portfolio.

2. Chen Liang, MLOps Engineer II at WHOOP

Chen Liang, MLOps Engineer II at WHOOP

Source

College of graduation: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Course name: MS in Data Science

Data Science alumni testimonial: 

Chen Liang, another MS in Data Science alumni success story, says, “This program starts from a fundamental base and keeps upgrading the difficulty, which made me comfortable and built up my confidence and enhanced my skills – and ultimately made me ready to walk into my job. It has provided such a great way to not only get our hands dirty real quick, but allow us to innovate.”

Data Science alumni post-graduate career trajectory: 

  • Data Scientist internship at NFPA (Jan 2019 – Apr 2019)
  • Data Scientist internship at Burning Glass Technologies (Jul 2019 – Feb 2020)
  • Data Scientist at Emsi Burning Glass (Feb 2020 – Nov 2021)
  • MLOps Engineer II at WHOOP (current)

Tips for prospective MS in Data Science students:

  1. Choose a well-structured program that has a gradual learning curve, starting with fundamental concepts and progressing to advanced topics. It will give you a  solid foundation and confidence-building experience.
  2. Take advantage of the resources, faculty guidance, and support provided by the program to maximize your learning experience.
  3. Develop a growth mindset that embraces learning, innovation, and adaptability. It will help you excel in your studies and your future data science career.

3. James Hamski, Data Scientist at World 50, Inc.

James Hamski, Data Scientist at World 50, Inc.

Source

College of graduation: The City University of New York

Course name: Master of Science in Data Science(Online)

Data Science alumni testimonial: 

James Hamski, an MS in Data Science alumni success story, shares what attracted him to the CUNY SPS program: “I wanted a curriculum that was rigorous but practical, which CUNY SPS’s MS in Data Analytics degree has. CUNY SPS is also eminently affordable.”

James also speaks about his online studying experience: “I interacted a ton with other students via in-person and online channels, which were always great experiences. Any tech-focused workplace involves lots of remote collaboration so going through an online learning program and using tools like GitHub to coordinate projects is a great skill to have.”

Data Science alumni post-graduate career trajectory: 

  • Data Scientist at G100 Companies (May 2017 – Dec 2020)
  • Data Scientist at World 50, Inc. (current)

Tips for prospective MS in Data Science students:

  1. Start using online learning platforms and tools. It will help you develop remote collaboration skills, which are highly valued in tech-focused workplaces.
  2. Consider the program’s cost and seek affordable options that still maintain a high standard of education.
  3. Choose a program that balances theory and practice. It will ensure you gain both in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience.

4.Duubar E. Villalobos Jimenez, Sr. Data Analyst at Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Duubar E. Villalobos Jimenez, Sr. Data Analyst at Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Source

College of graduation: The City University of New York

Course name: Master of Science in Data Science(Online)

Data Science alumni testimonial: 

“Since my master’s program was 100% online, I had the experience as to how to cope with online work activity. When COVID hit, and everything became remote, I was able to switch gears seamlessly. Thus, keeping up productivity and helping other team members to better adapt to this new work environment, in which office space is no longer required,” Duubar shares in his MS in Data Science alumni success story.

Coming from a small town in rural Costa Rica, Duubar tells how he managed his finances: “I was under the impression that higher education was highly costly, and that I needed the money upfront to pay for it. Little did I know that those things were not true. Years later, I now realize that there are plenty of great advisors within and outside the school. I find them to be very charismatic and willing to help to the best of their abilities. I would recommend reaching out to the school’s advisors and asking as many questions as possible. They will be happy to guide you.” 

Data Science alumni post-graduate career trajectory: 

  • Workforce Management Sr Analyst at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (Nov 2019 – current)

Tips for prospective MS in Data Science students:

  1. Consider online programs as it can provide flexibility. It also helps you develop remote work skills, which are valuable in today’s work environment.
  2. Research funding options and payment plans to ease financial concerns.
  3. Seek guidance from advisors or other experienced individuals who can answer your questions and provide valuable guidance.

5. Shawn Cicoria, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft

Shawn Cicoria, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft

Source

College of graduation: New Jersey Institute of Technology

Course name: MS in Data Science

Data Science alumni testimonial: 

Shawn Cicoria, a software engineer at Microsoft, says, “At Microsoft, data science has become a very core part of just about everything. Daily interactions with most of our customers today involve some form of data science, so it’s very critical.”

“Given the quality of the instructors and the credibility of NJIT, it’s obviously going to lend credibility to me as a data science professional.But that also adds credibility for Microsoft when I meet with customers. [It] makes it well worth the investment,” he shares in his MS in Data Science alumni success story.

Data Science alumni post-graduate career trajectory: 

  • Principal Software Engineer Lead and Architect at Microsoft (Dec 2007 – Present)

Tips for prospective MS in Data Science students:

  1. Opt for a program offered by a credible institution with high-quality instructors, as this can enhance your professional credibility.
  2. Stay informed about industry trends in data science to ensure your skills remain relevant and in-demand.

With these valuable insights from the industry leaders in Data Science, you’re now better equipped to start your MS in Data Science journey. 

For further reading:

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Career Advice for MS in Data Science in the US

Career Advice for MS in Data Science in the US

Colleges and Universities, Must Read, Student Section, top20
CATEGORIES

Career Advice for MS in Data Science in the US

300 million jobs could be affected by the latest wave of AI, says Goldman Sachs, CNN reports. 

Hey, aspiring data scientists! Are you at risk?

MS in Data Science salary range

Source: MS in Data Science salary range

 As the paychecks are impressive, the competition is also high for Data Science jobs.

But don’t worry, landing a data scientist job can be a breeze, as long as

  • You pick the right college for your degree. 
  • You’ve got the right career advice in your corner.

In this article, you will read the best career advice for MS in Data Science.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick rundown:

  1. Choose the right MS in Data Science course
  2. Understand Data Science career opportunities
  3. Participate in Data Science networking opportunities
  4. Gain practical experience
  5. Build a strong portfolio
  6. Prepare for interviews.

Now dive in.

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1. Choose the right MS in Data Science course

Why it matters: Never underestimate the importance of having a strong foundation for a successful career in Data Science.

Choosing a well-informed Data Science course helps you maximize your Data Science job prospects.

To do it: Consider factors such as curriculum, faculty expertise, availability of on-campus jobs, cost of living, alumni success, and job placement rates when selecting your program.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science courses and universities in the US are:

Name of the College/University

Name of the Course

Ying Wu College of Computing(NJIT)

M.S. in Data Science – Computational Track

Worcester Polytechnic Institute(WPI)

Master’s in Data Science

City University of New York(CUNY)

M.S. In Data Science

University of Maryland(UMD)

Master of Professional Studies in Data Science and Analytics

Carnegie Mellon University(CMU)

M.S. in Data Analytics for Science

2. Understand Data Science career opportunities

Data Science job prospects in different industries

Source: Data Science job prospects in different industries

Why it matters: Understanding the Data Science career paths, including in-demand job roles and industries, is crucial for portfolio development. 

If you have clarity about the job role or the industry you want to work in, you can start building a portfolio from the first year of college.

To do it: You can research the job market, network with professionals, and seek career advice for MS in Data Science from career advisors and alumni.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science in-demand job roles for you are:

  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Data Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Data Architect
  • Business Intelligence Engineer.

3. Participate in Data Science networking opportunities

Students participating in a networking event at NJIT

Source: Students participating in a networking event at NJIT

Why it matters: It helps you build connections with professionals and peers in the data science field. It will expand your network and open job opportunities, internships, and collaborations.

To do it: Participate in your area’s data science conferences, workshops, and meetups. Engage in discussions on LinkedIn, Reddit, and Data Science Stack Exchange platforms.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science is to connect with peers, alumni, and professors through university-sponsored data science networking events:

  • NJIT offers Data Science networking events like HackNJIT, Data Alliance Symposium
  • GOATHACKS is WPI’s annual event where teams tackle multidisciplinary problems in various fields, including data science.
  • The College of Staten Island Graduate Conference is an excellent opportunity for you to present your research to a broader audience. 
  • Make the best use of university-specific career centers and job fairs to access job opportunities and guidance.

4. Gain practical experience 

Why it matters: Hands-on experience on real-world projects improves your data science skills. It will make you competent in the job market, as employers value practical experience when hiring candidates.

To do it: Participating in internships, co-ops, or research projects will give you industry exposure and benefits your Data Science career path.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science is to:

Data Science Club at NJIT

Source: Data Science Club at NJIT

  • Join clubs like NJIT’s Data Science Club or societies at your university to collaborate on projects and learn from peers.
  • Offer your data science skills as a freelancer to gain experience, build a portfolio, and potentially secure longer-term opportunities.
  • Collaborate with students or professionals from other fields to apply data science techniques to a wide range of problems and industries.

5. Build a strong portfolio

Why it matters: An impressive portfolio can distinguish you from other MS in Data Science candidates. This will draw potential employers to your work, increasing Data Science job prospects.

To do it: As career advice for MS in Data Science, participate in competitions and contribute to open-source projects. Make sure to document your projects without fail to add them to your portfolio.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science is to add new projects and accomplishments:

    • Join platforms like Kaggle to compete and gain experience in real-world scenarios.
    • Promote your portfolio on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other relevant platforms to reach a wider audience.
    • Team up with fellow students or professionals on group projects to showcase your ability to work in a team.

 

6. Prepare for interviews.

Why it matters: Going well-prepared for interviews will make you competent and helps you boost your confidence. It also helps identify knowledge gaps; addressing them will improve your performance.

To do it: Familiarize yourself with frequently asked interview questions, conduct mock interviews, and research the company.

Our expert career advice for MS in Data Science is to leverage university resources for preparing job interviews:

  • Record a training interview session using InterviewStream, a resource in Handshake at WPI. It will prepare you for job interviews by creating a no-pressure environment to practice and develop skills.
  • Attend NJIT’s Big Interview, a training course that gives you hands-on practice in your specific subject.
  • Make the best use of employer literature to nail an interview.

With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to a successful data science career in the US.

Bonus tips:

  • Choose a specialization within data science.
  • Stay updated with new tools, techniques, and trends.
  • Develop a growth mindset and embrace challenges.
  • Use Linkedin to share your insights and establish yourself as an industry expert.
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