Ask a Student in MS in Applied Data Science

The MS in Applied Data Science, “Ask a Student” series allows prospective students the opportunity to meet virtually with current students in the MS in Applied Data Science program. Are you curious about life as a student in the University of Chicago’s MS in Applied Data Science program? Do you have burning questions about coursework, projects, or the overall student experience? Well, you’re in luck! We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming virtual event, “Ask a Student,” where you can get all your queries answered.

Speaker Bio:

Monica Para has been a student in the part-time MS in Applied Data Science program since Fall 2025 and works as a Data Analyst full-time at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She began her career as a Software Engineer at Bank of America and earned her BS in Computer Science and Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2023. Monica is an active voice online, where she shares insights from her early career in tech. Her work and perspective have been featured by media outlets including Business Insider and HRSpotlight, and she most recently presented at the Grace Hopper Celebration. Beyond her professional and academic work, Monica is a community builder in the Chicago Tech ecosystem. She blends content creation, data, and map-based storytelling to connect people across industries. In her free time, she’s an avid traveler and recently hiked Patagonia in Argentina.