
MSDS Online Student Profile: Timothy Rodriguez

Timothy Rodriguez
Education
M.S. in Data Science 2025, University of Virginia
B.A. in Economics and Political Science (Foreign Affairs) 2018, University of Virginia
Hometown
Fairfax, VA
Employment
Department of Defense, Acquisition Data and Analytics, Data Scientist II
Virginia Future Business Leaders of America Foundation, Board Member
Q: What made you decide to return for a master’s in data science?
The driving factor that pushed me to return for a Masters of Science in Data Science (MSDS) is the desire to expand my data science skills into the frontiers of building machine learning models and developing predictive analytics products.
While I am currently a data scientist contractor supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense, most of my work and experience is with the basics of data science including building data pipelines and generating relatively simplistic data visualizations and dashboards. I do not yet have the background to push this work into the realm of predictive modeling, natural language processing, large language models, and more.
This degree allows me to further hone my skills with the basics of data science, including more efficient pipeline development, and better visualization as well as push myself into a position to be able to extend into predictive analytics using more advanced modeling techniques. Since I have hit the limits of my knowledge, I am returning to school to take the next step in my career.
Q: What is your path to data science?
My undergraduate degree is in Economics and Political Science (Foreign Affairs). At school, I most enjoyed larger research papers in both my majors and after graduation, I knew that I wanted to work as an analyst of some kind. Since graduation, my career has so far spanned everything from serving in a product owner role in the agile scrum software development framework to supporting a program office as a program management analyst and finally to my current role as a data scientist.
In each of these roles, I quickly inherited responsibilities which included the collection, tracking, and visualization of data for various purposes including agile sprint productivity, system usage metrics, and project and communications schedule progress. The first task I took over for my manager was the monthly system usage metrics report for the document repository we were responsible for managing.
In each of my roles, before I became a data scientist, the most interesting part of my job was using data to tell a broader story and extract insights to help our clients make data-driven decisions. So when I had the chance to shift to a newly expanding data science team I jumped at the opportunity. I quickly found data science to be a much more interesting and engaging set of challenges to sink my teeth into and I was able to leverage the coordination skills I developed in my previous roles to enhance my ability to work with stakeholders and subject matter experts. Within about eight months as a data scientist, I realized that this was the career path I wanted to pursue.
Up until my first role in data science I expected to pursue a career in project and program management and I expected that I would be returning to school to pursue an MBA. However, once I realized that data science was a much more interesting and engaging career path I pivoted to pursuing the MSDS program.
Q: Which class are you most excited about and why?
I am equally excited for both Bayesian Machine Learning and Deep Learning. I enrolled in the MSDS program specifically to extend my knowledge of machine learning and deep learning models in hopes of being able to apply these models in my current role and beyond.
A deeper understanding of these advanced modeling techniques will allow me to provide my clients in the Department of Defense with more useful and timely insights to allow them to make data-driven decisions at the speed of relevance. I am always looking to expand and extend my knowledge of frontier technologies and these courses offer me the opportunity to do just that.
Q: What kind of student support does the program offer?
I think it would be easier to answer the question of what support is not offered. The online MSDS program provides support from the moment you submit your request for information on the online portal throughout your time in the program.
After submitting my request for information I had the opportunity to communicate with admissions advisers both via phone and email to ensure that all of my questions about the program from the total cost of attendance to the application process and my chances of acceptance.
Once I was accepted I had the opportunity to chat with a currently enrolled student to help answer any questions I had about the program, dealing with the workload etc. This was extremely helpful to me in making my decision to attend.
Our admissions advisors provided copious amounts of information on how to complete registration and enrollment, as well as get everything set up for our orientation. Throughout each semester you have the opportunity to work with tutors one-on-one, participate in study groups, and discuss any challenges you are experiencing with student support staff and both professors and teaching assistants encourage open and frequent communication.
The student success and engagement office also reaches out to check in on how we are doing on a personal level both with the workload as well as how we are managing the dual demands of work and school. Even if we are doing fine these touchpoints make a huge difference especially for those of us online.
Q: How do you juggle work and school?
I admit I am lucky to be doing this program while I am still single and without kids so my work-school life balance is easier to manage than for some. While I was in high school and undergrad I was on the rowing team which necessitated maintaining a regimented schedule to ensure I met all my obligations. I leverage this experience to ensure that I schedule time in the evenings and weekends to get my classwork and homework accomplished.
I make sure to plan my school work, homework, workouts, and fun hours so that I can get my work done while at the same time not burnout. The most important thing for me is planning time for breaks to ensure that I don’t overwork myself. Planning time to get out and enjoy time with friends and family allows me to enjoy these activities without stressing about whether or not I have time for them.
Q: What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I’ve been playing electric guitar since I was 10 years old and I once found a silver guitar pick in the parking lot of a hotel in Dublin, Ireland, which I still have and use to this day!