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How Ryan Ermovick Put Data Science to Work at AT&T
As a member of the inaugural B.S. in Data Science (BSDS) Class of 2027 at the University of Virginia, Ryan Ermovick is helping shape the future of the School of Data Science while charting a unique path of his own. A rising fourth-year student majoring in data science and chemistry, Ermovick has spent his summer as a data science engineering intern with AT&T's Technology Development Program in Dallas.
From building SQL-powered dashboards and automated reporting tools to exploring customer churn and competitor analysis, the experience gave him a firsthand look at how data science drives decision-making at scale. Ermovick reflects on the technical skills, professional lessons, and personal growth that made this summer a formative step in his journey from classroom to career.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What drew you to UVA and the B.S. in Data Science program?
I came to UVA because it was close by, affordable, and I had family at the University already (my older brother, SEAS '25 and '26). Specifically, I was interested in the data science major because I wanted a field where I could continue learning about math and STEM, but more application based.
Also, I was enrolled in a programming course my first year and was just very interested in coding after that. Outside of school, I really enjoy folding origami, discovering new animation (shows and movies), and going on very long walks.
Q: You're part of the inaugural BSDS graduating class. What has it been like to be part of the School's first bachelor's cohort?
It has been very exciting! I have gotten to help the develop the School and its program in so many ways, so I feel a lot of pride in it now. From giving feedback to faculty, founding the School's student council, and just making so many new connections, I can see tangible results of the program developing and growing.
It has also been fun to "discover" the School; the building is modern and is very fun to show to people who have never been there before. Finally, I'm super excited to graduate because I can confidently say that I am the only person graduating from UVA with my unique majors (data science and chemistry).
Q: Tell us about your internship with AT&T. What attracted you to the opportunity, and what does your role as a data science engineering intern in the Technology Development Program involve?
I have been working at AT&T for nine weeks now and it has been a very formative experience. Not only has it been my first technical internship, but also my first corporate job.
I have been introduced to many unique aspects of data science and the corporate world. This was one of the biggest reasons why I was excited to join the technology development program as an intern, to see how I enjoyed data science in the real world. My role as a data science engineering intern has been focused on customer churn rates (the rate in which new customers are joining and leaving) and competitor analysis.
Q: What kinds of projects or problems have you been working on this summer, and what has been the most exciting or rewarding part of the experience?
So far, I have worked a lot with SQL. AT&T uses Snowflake, which is a data warehouse service, and to query the data, I have to use SQL. I have been able to develop my knowledge of the language. With the data that I have queried, I have made a PowerBI dashboard summarizing competitive pricing offers and an automated messaging system to update my team when new offers from competitors arise.
The most rewarding part of my internship has been meeting a lot of new friends and building my own life down here in Dallas. I moved to this city knowing basically no one, so I am proud of growing and stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Q: How has the BSDS program prepared you for this internship? Are there specific courses, faculty, projects, or experiences that made a difference?
BSDS has given me a strong technical background since much of the coursework is application or project-based, so I have been exposed to many different services.
The courses that have prepared me the most overall are those taught by Associate Professor Neal Magee. He teaches the Intro to Systems course and Data Engineering course and is incredibly knowledgeable and kind. Specifically, his courses have given me a well-developed background in SQL, which has helped me immensely at this internship (and is a very important data science skill!).
Q: What technical skills have you relied on most, and what professional skills have been just as important to your success?
My knowledge of SQL and ability to adapt to different services. Every company will use different services (many of which are similar, just different flavors of the same idea), so being able to quickly shift is very helpful.
Professionally, the best skill that I have employed this summer is being over-prepared. When you are meeting with your boss, there won't be time for you to go back and check your work or figure out what you have to say. Coming into meetings with a plan and tangible results of your progress is key. Along with this is the ability to stay focused on a task.
At the School of Data Science, many assignments could be done in less than a day, but in a corporate job timelines are much different. Learning how to stay involved in a project long-term and make adjustments when needed is important.
Q: How have you been able to apply what you've learned in the BSDS program to your work at AT&T? Can you share a specific example?
Earlier this summer I was given a large dataset to explore before I used it to create a dashboard. There were over 40 features! I quickly got lost in the sauce of it, trying to determine what was useful and what was not. So, I made a data dictionary using the skills I learned in Assistant Professor Pete Alonzi's course, Data by Design. This was incredibly helpful because I now had a resource to refer to and share with my boss.
Q: You received SELF funding from the School of Data Science. How did that support enhance your internship experience or professional growth?
I received a generous scholarship from the SELF fund at the School of Data Science. Thanks to this grant, I was able to rent an apartment in the heart of downtown Dallas, only a 10-minute walk away from the AT&T Discovery District (where I work). This enhanced my experience because I was able to get to and from work very quickly, be in the heart of downtown, and make plans after work easier.
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Q: Outside the classroom, you've served as a resident advisor at Gooch-Dillard, represented students on the Undergraduate Data Science Council, and recently joined the Raven Society. How have those experiences shaped you as a leader and teammate?
These experiences have allowed me grow in tackling new situations. Every one of my clubs or jobs at school is extremely different, but this has allowed me to grow in many new ways. My biggest takeaway is to just be present and communicate. It can be very easy to let things slip by (even something as simple as not catching up on a group chat), but every part counts. Focusing your attention on what you committed to is very important, both as a leader and a teammate.
Q: As you prepare for your fourth year — including the opportunity to live on the Lawn and serving as vice chair for selections in Housing and Residence Life — how has your summer internship experience influenced what’s next?
I came into the summer very curious as to what corporate life was like and if I would enjoy it. It's different for everyone. After working here for a while, I can say that it's an option for me in the future. Working nine-to-five is so different from college because you actually have the ability to just turn off work mode when you leave. This gives you a lot of freedom, but I am also excited to get back to Grounds.
Living on the Lawn is so exciting to me because I will get to be just a quick 10-minute walk from the School (when I lived in Gooch it was 25 minutes!) and I will get to be near a lot more of my friends. Specifically, I am excited to represent the School of Data Science on the Lawn for the first time.
Q: If a prospective student asked why they should consider the BSDS program, what would you tell them?
It's a very fast and growing field. Data science has a lot of facets to it, and the bachelor's in data science program does a good job at introducing you to them. For example, you get introductions to data ethics, machine learning, data visualization, and more.
Discover the data science bachelor's degree at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.
