What initially made you interested in data science? 

I took an introductory class during my undergraduate career called Machine Learning Techniques. It focused on different types of ML algorithms without going into too much depth. This sparked my interest and I wanted to learn more.

What was the most rewarding experience that you had during your time in this program? 

I loved Professor Andras Zsom's Machine Learning class. It pushed me to think about optimizing my code and helped me understand the applications of machine learning. I really enjoyed his teaching style and particularly loved being a part of his Teaching Assistant team. Being a TA helped me solidify the core concepts of the class which I was then able to pass on to the next set of students and I found it to be a highly rewarding experience.

What were some of the most important skills that you learned during the program?

The most important skills I learned were coding, with a focus on maintaining code through GitHub. Additionally, mathematical thinking - being able to dive into the details and understand algorithms from scratch.

What would you share with a prospective student about the Data Science Institute?

The DSI provides a highly collaborative, non-competitive environment, which has helped me develop skills that I can apply to the workplace. The community here builds you up, and I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by wonderful people for two years. I would suggest that prospective students review the curriculum, as there are more required courses than electives. If you feel like the coursework is a good fit for you, don’t think twice about joining Brown’s DSI!

Finally, where are you currently working now?

I am currently working at Visa Inc. as a Data Scientist.