Hometown

Schaumburg, IL

Current City

Los Angeles, California

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

I was a Product Lead for the Revenue Strategy group for Google.

What were the top factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

The top factors that drove me to attend the program were the flexibility and curriculum that is taught by a world renowned faculty. As the program is online, I can transition from the workplace to the classroom seamlessly. The faculty has a plethora of knowledge, and applies the curriculum to real world applications backed up by experience.

What is your current job?

I am currently a Data Scientist for the YouTube Strategy and Operations group.

What is one of your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

My favorite aspect about being a student at UChicago is the community that my cohort has developed throughout the duration of the program. Even though the program is online, I fostered relationships and made friends that I will keep in contact with for the rest of my life.

In your view, how will the MS in Applied Data Science degree advance your career in data science?

The MS in Applied Data Science degree has advanced my career in data science by helping me obtain interviews, and subsequently a new career in the field. I highly recommend this program for those trying to break into the space.

What has been one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

My favorite class has been Machine Learning & Predictive Analytics. It is my favorite class because it teaches the foundations of models that we all use in our day-to-day lives. It also helps that the Program Director, Dr. Arnab Bose, who has a career that one can only hope to mimic, teaches the class while highlighting the practical applications of the lessons learned.

What do you enjoy doing outside of the program?

I frequently enjoy the Southern California weather. I like to surf, scuba, and play golf at a mediocre level.

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

I believe that the most exciting thing right now in data science is how large language models have introduced foundational aspects of data science to the general public. It will be interesting to see how our society will change with an amount of knowledge at our fingertips that we have never seen before.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

My advice to prospective students would be that you get what you put into the program. There are as many opportunities as you have time for, so try to expand your knowledge as much as you can. The program can also work for those that have other time commitments, so try to find the balance that works for you.

What was one of your main takeaways or things you enjoyed about the Immersion Weekend even for Online program students?

The thing I most enjoyed about the Immersion Weekend was that it provided the opportunity to meet all of my classmates in person. It was amazing to see a dispersed group of people come together in real life and act as though the distance is irrelevant to the friendships that we have all formed.

Hometown

Seoul, Republic of Korea

What is your current job?

Currently, I am pursuing a summer internship at Awarity, a digital marketing company.

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

Over the past six years, I’ve worked as a data consultant, contributing my expertise to organizations such as IBM GBS and Ernst & Young. Throughout this period, I’ve engaged with various company functions, all with the common objective of uncovering meaningful insights through data. My motivation has always been to see the impact of my work, whether it’s driving revenue growth or supporting overall company goals. I’m fortunate to have my career take shape the way it has so far, and I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of data science, making meaningful contributions in this ever-evolving field.

What were the top 1-3 factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

When considering my decision to pursue the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago, I was influenced by several compelling factors. Firstly, the curriculum was a standout feature. The core courses provide a comprehensive exploration of the theoretical foundations of data science, ranging from fundamental concepts like linear regression to cutting-edge techniques such as deep learning. Additionally, the availability of elective courses allows for a deeper dive into specific subjects. I was specially intrigued by Bayesian Methods and ML Ops electives. Lastly, the allure of Chicago itself, with its vibrant atmosphere and rich culture, played a part in finalizing my decision.

What was one of your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

One of my favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago is the university’s renowned reputation for academic excellence. The rigorous curriculum and intellectual environment at UChicago provide a stimulating and well-structured learning experience.

What was one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

My favorite class at UChicago so far has been Bayesian Methods. This course captivated my interest due to the intriguing concept of frequentist vs. Bayesian approaches. Exploring the principles and applications of Bayesian statistics sparked my curiosity and made me realize the immense potential and future opportunities in this field.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of the program, I thoroughly enjoy exploring the vibrant city of Chicago. I relish visiting art galleries, attending live performances, and immersing myself in the city’s renowned culinary scene.

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

What excites me right now about the field of data science is the concept of prompt engineering and its potential. By carefully designing prompts, we can guide machine learning models to generate desired outputs, enabling us to tackle complex problems and extract valuable insights. This innovative approach not only enhances the interpretability and control of machine learning systems but also opens up new possibilities for driving impactful advancements in data science.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

Rather than merely learning existing concepts, focus on developing the ability to absorb and adapt to new ideas. View the program not only as a source of knowledge but also as a pathway to explore and seek out new advancements in data science. Cultivate a curiosity-driven approach and a willingness to stay updated with the latest developments, as this will be crucial for long-term success in this ever-evolving field.

Hometown

Bogotá, Colombia

Current city

Bogotá, Colombia

What is your current job?

HP Inc, Center of Excellence Sales Analytics, Data Scientist

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

I worked for the Latin American Sales Team at HP inc, performing multiple data analyses and project evaluations.

What were the top 1-3 factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

Professor’s experience, Curriculum, The University ranking position

What was one of your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

I had the opportunity to connect with professors with an outstanding experience. I also met extremely talented people from different countries and backgrounds which led me to increase my professional network and get a better understanding of different cultures.

In your view, how has the MS in Applied Data Science degree advanced your career so far?

This degree helped me gain visibility within my professional network and it allowed me to advance from an analyst position in a sales team to a global data science team.

What was one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

Machine Learning because I had the chance to deepen my knowledge of advanced ML algorithms and apply them to real use cases. Yuri Balasanov provided great guidance and resources to understand these advanced topics.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

Ask as many questions as you can, especially if you could link those questions with real-world cases or examples.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy reading Latin American literature.

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

This field allows me to solve business problems with multiple possibilities of methodologies that range from simple descriptive analysis to complex modeling pipelines.

What is one piece of advice would you give to prospective students?

Always keep in mind that behind a data science solution, there is a context or business problem. If you can’t answer what is the problem you’re trying to solve or the purpose of any analysis, you need more time to understand the context, instead of making the solution more complex.

Hometown

Philadelphia, PA

Current city

Chicago, IL

What is your current job?

University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division – Data for the Common Good, Healthcare Data Scientist

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

Working as an Epidemiologist in Pediatrics.

What were the top 1-3 factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

1. I wanted to expand my work projects into new areas; 2. Data science is more efficient than biostatistics; and 3. UChicago is an amazing school.

What was one of your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

Being part of some amazing teams. I learned a lot from colleagues with different backgrounds, talents, and interests.

In your view, how has the MS in Applied Data Science degree advanced your career so far?

Because of this program, I have my dream job working on large-scale machine learning in healthcare.

What was one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

It is hard to choose! Data Mining was the class that made me feel like I was really on my way to becoming a data scientist.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

Know why you want to go into data science. If you have a current field, what is the current state of analytics, and what would data science bring to it?

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m taking pottery classes and enjoy how challenging (completely impossible) it is. It’s the exact opposite of the workday and requires all of your concentration, so it’s a great break.

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

I feel like a lot of people will say ChatGPT and the other LLMs, but I’m more excited about efforts to bring more underrepresented students into the field, like the UChicago Data Science Institute’s Summer Lab, which provides a social environment and mentoring as well as learning about data science.

What is one piece of advice would you give to prospective students?

Panic early (that is, when you get the assignment) rather than waiting to panic until the day before it’s due.

Hometown

Eden Prairie, MN

Current city

Eden Prairie, MN

What is your current job?

Executive Vice President of Strategy at Field Nation

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

Executive Vice President of Strategy at Field Nation

What were the top factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

Develop significantly sharper, stronger, and broader set of data and analytical skills that drive more success in my role as a strategy executive; Obtain training in advanced machine learning and AI technologies that can help me become a thought leader in my organization and help me spearhead innovation for new breakthrough market products and solutions for my employer company.

What were your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

Networking with and learning from an amazing group of professors and students; the culture of openness for big questions; the urge to always connect learnings with applications, especially at work. I did my graduation project on my company data and it drove a lot of positive change.

In your view, how has the MS in Applied Data Science degree advanced your career so far?

It helped me become significantly more analytical in the way I solve problems and equipped me with all the tools I need to leverage any data of any format to solve the problem. Which is a key component of my career as a strategy leader.

What was one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

Data Science for Consulting with Greg Green, PhD. For me as a Strategy leader, this was where data met with Strategy, This was where the analytics married with the so what. The class was focused on not only telling stories with data and findings but also on the business value of the problem getting solved and on presenting the business case with data in an elegant way. It was a great class for my type of work.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with family.

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

I am very excited about the potential for generative AI, especially in the area of Field Services, where my current focus is.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

Polish up on key fundamental skills that will make your experience more smooth and will prepare you to learn and absorb more. These fundamentals are: Statistics, Linear Algebra, Python, SQL, and Data base design. Master the foundations well. Just because you will learn Data Science and AI does not mean you be shallow at Statistics. A graduate of UChicago must be very solid at Stats as it’s always the foundation. Master the art of story telling with data. Become so solid at connecting your analysis with the business case and the value of the problem you are solving.

Hometown

China

Current city

Chicago, IL

What is your current job?

Data scientist at QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

What were you doing before you started the master’s program?

Financial Analyst

What were the top factors that went into your decision to choose the MS in Applied Data Science Program at UChicago?

The program has solid reputation in data science industry. It also provides innovative curriculums that integrate advanced topics and trends in the field.

What was one of your favorite aspects of being a student at UChicago?

The faculty at UChicago creates a diverse and inclusive environment where students from various backgrounds felt valued and empowered to excel.

In your view, how has the MS in Applied Data Science degree advanced your career so far?

The program advanced my career by providing systematic learning structure, practical project experience, and inspiring discussion environment. The degree also helped me open doors to new opportunities.

What was one of your favorite classes you took at UChicago and why?

Big data platform is one of my favorite classes because it provides a comprehensive overview of m advanced technology infrastructures, which is very difficult to grasp without the instructors’ guidance and insights. It builds my foundations of the big data exploration.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Reading, museums, YouTube

What excites you right now about the field of data science?

With the emergence of Generative AI, I consider myself fortunate as a data scientist to have the opportunity to delve into this exciting and cutting-edge field.

What advice would you give to prospective students who are seeking a master’s degree in data science?

Leverage the opportunity of starting a new journey. Don’t limit yourself on what you known, but explore on the unknowns. Discover your true intent and passion. You will derive greater satisfaction, motivation, and focus!