Jinghua (Joyce) Chen (’08)

Joyce Chen is a data scientist on the growth team at Coinbase, where she helps drive efficient, ROI-focused decision-making through scalable analytics solutions. With a foundation in Information Science and a lifelong passion for classical music, Joyce’s unconventional journey has taken her from orchestral arts internships to a decade at Google and now to the dynamic world of Web3. Her path reflects a deeper personal mission: to balance the pursuit of purpose and lasting passion with the realities of capitalism and high-impact work. Outside the office, she continues to nurture her artistic side through piano performance and advising early-stage startups.

Can you tell us a bit about your current position and how you found this role?

I help Growth Marketing at Coinbase make smarter, data-driven investment decisions and build scalable data solutions that fuel user growth and revenue. A former manager of mine—someone I very well respect and really enjoyed working with back during my time at Google—had joined the company and reached out just as I was exploring new opportunities. It felt like great timing, and an easy decision to come aboard.

Reflecting on your experience at Google, could you share what the work culture was like, what you enjoyed most, and what ultimately led you to move on from that role?

Joining Google during what many consider its “prime” was one of the luckiest turns in my life. It was a truly non-replicable experience from global Ads Marketing to the core search ads product team, both professionally and personally. What I valued most was working alongside incredibly smart, capable, and humble people—many of whom came from backgrounds very different from mine. They deeply believed in their work and cared about making an impact, and it was inspiring to see how what we did each day could meaningfully shape the lives of millions.

Like people, companies grow and change. I often joke that leaving Google after 10 years felt like ending a long relationship—where both sides gradually evolve and drift apart as their values shift. Still, I remain deeply grateful for that decade: for the golden moments, the storms we weathered, and above all, the work family I had the privilege to grow with.

You began your career with an internship in an orchestra before transitioning into data science. What sparked that shift, and what influenced your decision to pursue a different path?

It was purely coincidental. After graduation, I had always hoped to stay in the business side of the performing arts world given my interest in classical music. But as an international student nearly 17 years ago, it was difficult to break into a field largely dominated by locals. In many of my internships, I was often one of the very few non-white faces. Ultimately, my technical background from undergrad opened the door to a job that, while not what I had initially envisioned, provided the financial stability I needed at the time.

Coming from an artistic background, what challenges did you face when you first started working with data and analytics? How did you adapt and overcome them?

I didn’t come from a traditional arts or music background—I majored in Information Science and had a strong foundation in technical skills. Classical music/Piano was a deep passion, but I wasn’t able to turn it into a viable career, so I found myself returning to what I was formally trained in (laughs). The challenges I faced weren’t unique; they mirrored what many fresh graduates encounter when stepping into the workforce for the first time—navigating complexity, seeking validation, and trying to prove oneself in a much more nuanced and competitive environment.

How did you discover your passion for marketing and data analytics? Was there a particular moment or experience that helped guide you toward this field?

It wasn’t so much a passion as it was a path shaped by what I was capable of and where my strengths were recognized. That’s what kept me moving forward in this direction. Looking back, I can’t say it was part of a grand plan—luck probably played a bigger role than I’d like to admit. In many ways, navigating life in my mid-20s felt like floating in open water—grabbing onto the first life vest that came along, without much thought to its shape or color. There was a lot of randomness, and yet, somehow, here I am.

Were there specific soft or hard skills you learned in the Arts Administration program that still serve you today?

What I gained most from this program was growth in language and communication skills. I still vividly remember understanding only about 20% of what the professor said during my first class. Language is deeply intertwined with culture—just like art—and the immersive nature of this program provided international students like me with an invaluable cultural and linguistic foundation for a future career in the U.S. The “Arts in Barcelona” class was especially impactful, as it broadened my appreciation for Spanish culture and artistic expression.

Have you found ways to bring your passion for the arts or classical music into your life (outside of the work)?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve been taking weekly piano lessons for the past two years and actively perform whenever the opportunity arises. Practicing has become an integral part of my life, offering not only musical growth but also a powerful way to deepen my somatic awareness. While my work is primarily visual in nature, piano has given me the chance to train my auditory perception. Beyond my day job, I’m also advising a musician-entrepreneur on the development of a game app that integrates musical interaction for young children.

From your perspective, what are some common misconceptions or mistakes people often make during their job search? What advice would you give to students and recent graduates just starting out?

One of the most common mistakes I see people make in their job search is overthinking. Some develop imposter syndrome before even hitting the “apply” button, while others get caught up imagining whether the role is a perfect fit before they’ve even secured an interview. The key is discipline—make decisions based on facts and logic, not emotions. Stay focused, take action, and don’t let self-doubt or speculation derail your momentum.

During times of uncertainty and pressure, what tips or encouragement would you offer to students as they navigate their academic and career journeys?

Life is always full of uncertainty and pressure, what we’re going through now isn’t all that unique when viewed through the lens of history. If I could give my younger self any advice, it wouldn’t be anything flashy—just the timeless basics: patience, discipline, and honesty with oneself. You won’t find these highlighted in most books because they don’t sound exciting enough to sell (laughs), but ultimately, life always circles back to the fundamentals. Patience means knowing that some things take time and not everything is within our control—you can’t fight the tide, instead ride it, like a surf waiting for the next wave but you need to be ready when that happens. Discipline is about holding onto your beliefs, living by your values, and staying consistent in your actions. And above all, being truthful with yourself is key. Our minds can play tricks on us, but if you really tune in—listen to your heart, your thoughts, your body—you’ll often find the answers you need. Don’t ignore those signals; they’re usually pointing you in the right direction.

What does success mean to you today? And how has that definition changed since you were a student?

My definition of success has evolved significantly over time. When I was younger, success meant becoming the person I needed to be in order to survive—meeting societal expectations, playing by the rules, and collecting the necessary “trophies” for my résumé to quickly reach the next milestone. Today, success means becoming the person I want to be. It’s less about achieving specific outcomes or ticking off checkboxes, but more about embracing the journey—letting go of control and expectations, and being honest with myself. I don’t view this shift from external validation to internal exploration as a matter of superiority or inferiority; both perspectives have their own value at different stages of life.

Interview conducted by Fongying(Angela) Wong