MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders
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MS in Data Science: Inspiring Alumni Success Stories from Industry Leaders
- Ananya
- May 10, 2023
- 8:59 pm
- No Comments
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?
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.
1. Mukund Khandelwal, Vice President at Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank
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:
- Join opportunities like GQP(Graduate Qualifying Projects) to apply your data science skills and gain practical experience.
- Collaborate with peers from varied backgrounds for effective problem-solving and broader understanding.
- 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
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:
- 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.
- Take advantage of the resources, faculty guidance, and support provided by the program to maximize your learning experience.
- 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.
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:
- Start using online learning platforms and tools. It will help you develop remote collaboration skills, which are highly valued in tech-focused workplaces.
- Consider the program’s cost and seek affordable options that still maintain a high standard of education.
- 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.
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:
- Consider online programs as it can provide flexibility. It also helps you develop remote work skills, which are valuable in today’s work environment.
- Research funding options and payment plans to ease financial concerns.
- 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
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:
- Opt for a program offered by a credible institution with high-quality instructors, as this can enhance your professional credibility.
- 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.
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