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Latest Modeling Your Future Event Connects Industry Professionals with MSDS Students
The popular Modeling Your Future series for MSDS Residential students roared on, with the latest event focusing on networking and connection. The March 6 edition featured a diverse group of executives and leaders in data science who have built successful careers and companies.
The group of 12 professionals shared their journeys, offered mentorship, and helped MSDS students navigate the job market through a roundtable-style luncheon, wherein each professional sat at a table and students could move from table to table as they met and learned from them.
This format allowed for connection, collaboration, and learning where students needed it most. Their choice of individual to talk to and from which company was necessary to help layout a possible career trajectory for their goals.
The featured guests included Dr. Kim Scott, Senior Technical Director at Pixxel; Daniel Bailey, leader of go-to-market strategy at GA-I3, formerly GA-CCRi, and principal at GO Line Strategy Group; Logan Selby, CEO of DataShapesAI and leader of Autonomy and Robotics for the U.S. Army's First Special Forces Command (Airborne); Ckalib Nelson, Business Intelligence Engineer II at Amazon; Maritza Johnson, Principal at Good Research and member of the National Academy of Science Forum on Cyber, Ethical Tech Project, and Data Science Alliance; Sam Tyree, Senior Manager at IBM for Data Science and Engineering, and an MSDS Online alumnus; Hannah Fredrick, Data Scientist at GA-I3 and MSDS Residential alum; John Elder IV, Founder and Chairman of Elder Research Inc.; Mackenzie Leroy, Lead Data Scientist at S&P Global Market Intelligence; Michael Prichard, CEO of Shift AI and founder of WillowTree; Jill Heinze, Head of User Experience Strategy and Insights at Shockoe Consulting Group and founder of Saddle-Stitch Consulting; and Rick Hamilton, Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director of Focused Ultrasound Foundation, and one of the world's most prolific inventors.
The roundtable format of connection was beneficial not only for the students but for the guests as well. Elder shared his experience with the students, outlining their courage, questions, and his perspective on the field.
"Today was great. I loved having the opportunity to chat with the students. They were a little shy at first, and we were a little scary," he laughed. "But once we started conversing, everything went very naturally, and there were a lot of great questions."
Elder elaborated on what data science means to him and how he sees it as a form of public service. "There are so many areas where data science can be used and so many ways that we can contribute to others. Really, for me, it's a way to serve."
"You go and help somebody solve a problem that's been bedeviling them for a long time. They're a little wary at first, like, 'What does this outsider know?' But if you ask questions and you prove to them that you're there for their benefit, you can really make progress together," Elder said. He noted how the experience the guests brought from outside of the School can bring new insights to a student's journey in data science.
"We get a lot of advantages learning new things and applying it," Elder said. "And after you've helped somebody, they're very happy to see you the next time, so it's a very fun field to be in."
His perspective of the service-driven and problem-solving side of data science was exactly what he shared with students, and they surely benefited from this connection. MSDS Residential student and ambassador Courtney Hodge detailed how helpful the lunch was for practicing networking skills and envisioning her future career in data science.
"It was helpful to practice introducing myself and explaining my background, but I was just as interested in listening. Hearing about different career paths and the decisions people made along the way gave me a lot to think about as I consider my own options," she said.
Hodge is set to graduate in May, so the series comes at an opportune time. "I made sure to attend this event because my time in the program is winding down, and I want to take advantage of every opportunity to learn from people in the field," she said. "I had some really good conversations and made the most of the networking opportunities."
Hodge concluded that she made meaningful connections at the event and was pleasantly surprised by the local representation. "I thought the panel had a great mix of perspectives, especially since many of the speakers were either local or had some connection to UVA. It really highlighted how much talent and leadership there is in the data science space right here in Charlottesville."
