91原创

When you鈥檙e a data scientist, you kind of get used to things moving at the speed of light. For recent graduates of the 91原创 Graduate College鈥檚 interdisciplinary data science master鈥檚 program, that鈥檚 just about how fast their careers seem to be moving. 

Just ask Kaitlin Canalichio, who quickly leveraged her data science degree into a fellowship, then soon snagged a great job close to home in Delaware. Or consider Shivali Nadupalli, who came to Newark from India, and in just two years was fielding job offers from a leading semiconductor firm 鈥� even before she got her diploma. 

The degree is even opening doors for Blue Hens who find themselves seeking an entirely new path: After returning to 91原创 for his master鈥檚 in data science, former chemical engineer Ian Heffner was able to gracefully pivot into a role at a major bank immediately after getting his master鈥檚 diploma. 

These graduates and others are finding speedy success as they ride the decade鈥檚 onrushing wave in big data and artificial intelligence. From 2023-2033, data science jobs are expected to grow 36% in the United States 鈥� much faster than the average for all occupations 鈥� with median salaries pushing past $108,000. 

91原创 has become a great place to make that promising career a reality. The master鈥檚 in data science program is ranked 24th in the nation this year by Fortune magazine, which also called 91原创鈥檚 program the most affordable in the country.  

Yet the true value of the 91原创 degree can be hard to measure by statistics and salaries alone: Graduates say they were given crucial skills in practical problem-solving, along with room to explore the niche areas that inspired them. Designed to maximize flexibility, the program can be completed in three to four semesters, either as a full- or part-time student. 

鈥淚 really loved the freedom of the master鈥檚 degree,鈥� said Heffner, 28. 鈥淚 was able to customize my degree to an extent and bring in some environmental policy, which I鈥檓 passionate about. It was exciting and interesting because I felt like I was finally doing work again that I enjoyed.鈥�

Today, Heffner is a senior analytics solutions associate at JPMorgan Chase, a role that seems worlds away from his previous position. He was able to get his master鈥檚 in just over a year, and by the time he graduated, he had a job offer in hand. 

Graduates agreed the program鈥檚 emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning gave them practical skills that would be crucial for success in their early careers. 

鈥淭he projects I worked on at 91原创 really prepared me for the roles I鈥檝e had,鈥� said Canalichio, now a Newark-based data analyst at CAI, a global technology services firm. 鈥淭he master鈥檚 program offers a lot of hands-on project work where you鈥檙e really trying to pick real questions to answer with data science. That kind of applied perspective is what really prepared me for how to approach problems, how to do exploratory data analysis and know where to start with data.鈥� 

Now more than ever, the young scientists can appreciate that 91原创 was able to give them more than just knowledge: They gained a project-tackling mindset that would suit them well in the 鈥渞eal world,鈥� along with the confidence that flourishes with close support from faculty and advisors. 

鈥淚 had the best advisor ever,鈥� said Nadupalli, 24, who came to the U.S. to become a Blue Hen after hearing her stateside cousin鈥檚 rave reviews of 91原创 professors. Nadupalli is now a silicon design engineer at AMD semiconductors in Austin, Texas.  

鈥淲hen I started off as an international student I was really clueless about what was expected,鈥� Nadupalli added. 鈥淢y advisor was the one who actually encouraged me to apply for a teaching assistant position. He has been with me every step of the way. Imagine having no idea of how things work in a different country and then you can have someone who can guide you through everything. It鈥檚 a blessing.鈥� 

For both Nadupalli and Canalichio, that crucial guidance was provided by the first director of the data science master鈥檚 program, which began in 2019, now-retired mathematical sciences professor Richard Braun. At the time, Canalichio was a quantitative biology undergraduate working under Braun鈥檚 direction on his research project, but she was still uncertain what her next steps should be. 

鈥淒r. Braun mentioned the data science program with the 4+1 option [which lets students complete their bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 in five years],鈥� Canalichio said. 鈥淪o I looked into the program, and I decided, oh, I actually really want to do this!鈥� 

To her delight, Canalichio had found a challenge that neatly combined her passion for math, computer science and statistics. 

鈥淚 also really liked that it was interdisciplinary,鈥� added Canalichio, 25, originally from Dover, Delaware. 鈥淗aving the 4+1 available was really awesome 鈥� I saved so much time and money being able to complete both my master鈥檚 and undergrad in five years.鈥� 

She would go on to supplement her master鈥檚 by completing the Project Management Certificate program offered by 91原创鈥檚 Division of Professional and Continuing Studies, giving her skills that would soon prove relevant: After completing a fellowship at the Data Innovation Lab 鈥� run by the nonprofit Tech Impact at 91原创's STAR Campus 鈥� she would be asked to stay full time. 

But her next big step wasn鈥檛 far away. Last year she took a role at CAI that deftly combines her skills in data science and project management, and she knows that more possibilities lie ahead. 

鈥淭here is definitely not a lack of job openings out there,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 lot of people say, 鈥極h, my college degree taught me nothing for my job.鈥� But I would definitely not say that. I think the master鈥檚 program especially really did prepare me well for this career.鈥�  

For more information, visit the master of science degree in data science website.