Combination Degree Student Profile: Will Milch

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MSDS/MBA Student, 
Will Milch 

Education 
M.S. in Data Science 2025, University of Virginia 
M.B.A. 2025, University of Virginia 
Media & Cultural Studies Major, Data Science Minor, Macalester College

Hometown 
Towson, Maryland

Most Recent Employer 
EDO, Inc.

Q: Tell us about your path to data science.

I actually wasn’t aware of data science until late in my college experience, but I took a statistics class and was hooked. Despite graduating with a humanities degree, I knew that I wanted to work with data and be in a technical field. 

I went into an analytics role at a marketing agency and volunteered for every technical project I could. I knew that eventually I wanted to get formal training while also building my technical skills. This led me to pursue a combination program Data Science and an MBA to expand my toolkit and understand the business applications of data science.

Q: What do you hope to do with business and data science degrees?

My internship was in the Consulting and Analytics practice at Visa, where I was able to leverage Visa’s vast data resources to engage in fascinating consulting work across the financial services sector. The combination of business acumen and technical skills from both degree programs has led me to work on a diverse range of projects and client types.

Q: What has surprised you about the MSDS program so far? 

The emphasis on understanding the “why” behind data science techniques, in addition to the “how,” has been a pleasant surprise. It's not just about acquiring skills but also about understanding the underlying principles and the best way to apply them. 

Additionally, the collaborative nature of the program has been impressive, providing ample opportunities to learn from peers with diverse backgrounds. I’ve also really enjoyed being around people from such a diverse set of backgrounds. There is a steep learning curve, but everyone is always willing to share the knowledge they have.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering the MSDS/MBA combination degree program?

Reach out to alumni and current students to gain insights into the program’s culture and structure. I spoke to several students who gave me really good insight on what the program actually feels like and the culture. 

I would also recommend reflecting deeply on your motivations for pursuing both degrees. The dual degree is rigorous, so having clear goals and interests will help you navigate the workload and make the most of the opportunities. While it’s fine and even expected for your interests to evolve, having a guiding north star will help you stay grounded.

Q: What are some fun facts about yourself?

• I was the editor of my school’s newspaper and thought in college that I wanted to be a journalist 
• I collect National Park stamps and recently took a camper van trip across the Western US 
• My favorite restaurant in Charlottesville is a very hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese place called Nguyen’s Kitchen