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MSDS Online Student Profile: Andrea Jacobs
Andrea Jacobs
Education
M.S. in Data Science 2027, University of Virginia
Double Major: Math-Computer Science and Spanish Business 2001, Sweet Briar College
Hometown
Schuyler, VA
In this Q&A, Andrea Jacobs shares her journey from software engineering to pursuing an M.S. in Data Science at the University of Virginia (UVA). She discusses what drew her back to coding, how data plays a crucial role in decision-making, and why she chose UVA’s program to make her career transition.
Andrea also offers insights into the MSDS experience, her excitement for learning Python and R, and advice for prospective students. Plus, she shares a few fun facts—including her passion for bringing the Latino/e/x community together through Charlottesville Sabroso.
Q: Tell us about your path to Data Science.
I started my software engineering job over 22 years ago, working on complex systems utilizing C++ and C# programming languages for 7 years. During that time, I thought that I wanted to pursue a career as a Technical Lead/Project Manager. From my experience at that time, I thought to be the best technical leader was to understand the different roles that a technologist could be on a technical team.
For 10 years, I dedicated myself to acquiring the roles and learning areas such as Software Test Engineering/Software Quality Assurance, Release Management/Engineering, Agile Delivery Lead and Process Management. Though I enjoyed learning each of these roles and areas and how they impact the software development life cycle of a system. I missed programming and working with the programmers on technical problems.
I also noticed a common theme across all the roles that I worked in, each of the job roles used data in some way to help make decisions or influence decisions about a system, the management of teams, the delivery of the code, or if a specific tactic/technique was improving user experience. So this began my journey into researching how I can get back to my software engineering roots improve my skill of how I view and use data, and transition my career to a Data Scientist/Data Engineer.
Q: What do you hope to do with a M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) degree?
I'm using this program to make a career switch and return to working with programmers, engineers, and architects more directly and help solve technical problems. While still helping leadership make the best decisions for the teams and projects I will work on.
Q: What excited you about the MSDS program?
I'm most excited to learn programming languages like R and Python. I want to know how data scientists utilize these programming languages to make critical observations about the problem. Having worked with data scientists, I found their perspective of a problem very enlightening when working with an engineering team. How their results help influence the development of a platform, process, or direction an engineering team goes.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a Master's in Data Science?
Ensure you do your research into all the data science programs that are offered. Know how you like to learn and figure out the type of experience you want to have. Many well-known universities offer some type of data science degree.
For me, UVA offered the content and the one-of-a-kind experience with lecture nights, office hours, and study groups. I also live near the School of Data Science so being able to have the opportunity to immerse myself in events, study somewhere away from my parental and family obligations, and provide a unique graduate school experience was ideal for me.
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Q: What are some fun facts about yourself?
I was raised in Guatemala City by my grandmother during my early childhood. For the last few years, I have been Festival Director for Charlottesville Sabroso in Charlottesville.
I love bringing our Latino/e/x community together to celebrate during Hispanic Heritage Month in September when our festival takes place. I love to eat and cook food from all types of ethnicities.
