About
A chance encounter brought Carmen to the doors of BU Computing & Data Sciences. She stumbled onto the
MS in Data Science Program (MSDS) after discovering her deep curiosity about the advancements she saw in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). After working as a consultant for years, she decided to take a turn in her career, and the rest was history.
Tell us a little bit about your background before coming into the MSDS program.
Before joining the MSDS program, I worked as an IT consultant in Spain. I grew up in Madrid and graduated with a BS in business and technology from Universidad Carlos III and had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Wisconsin during my senior year. I fell in love with American education ever since. While I was happy with my consulting job after graduation, I was deeply curious about the advancements I was seeing in technology — particularly in AI — so I decided to take a turn in my career.
Did you have any professional experience in the field of data science before coming to BU?
My main data science experience before coming to BU was developing my bachelor’s thesis. In Spain, before graduating, we are required to do research on a field of our interest. To leverage my business knowledge and draw for data science, I decided to build a location recommendation system for tech companies in Europe. I gathered socioeconomic data from 242 regions in Europe and created a customizable match-making algorithm, which you can try here.
I had also engaged with various database management systems in my jobs and internships. For example, as an IT consultant at Deloitte, I participated in the migration of two CRM systems to a unified platform after a multinational corporate merger. This experience indeed showed me the complexities of deep-down database functioning.
What drew you to the MSDS program at the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences?
When I applied to the residential MSDS program, it was newly launched, so I discovered it by chance shortly after its release. I remember I had already been accepted to other programs, but after looking at pictures of the astonishing CDS building, I could not see myself anywhere else.
The MSDS curriculum was also particularly appealing to me. I loved that the program offered multiple tracks, which would enable me to discover different areas and specialize in the one that best matches my interests.
How did you become interested in data science?
It all happened during my first Python course in undergrad. I was amazed by the quantity of problems coding enabled me to solve. Then, after taking some data science courses and completing my bachelor’s thesis, I confirmed the enormous power of this discipline. I needed to master it!
What excites you about data science?
Data science is an extremely powerful skill set, so as one of the first generations holding it, I feel directly responsible for shaping the future of our world. This is a truly challenging but exciting opportunity, and I am committed to contributing to the responsible development and application of AI.
Additionally, learning data science in 2024 in the middle of the AI boom is a thrilling experience. We learn about new advancements daily in class, which positions us first in the race for innovation.
What areas of data science are you most interested in?
I am most interested in machine learning as well as the ethical implications of artificial intelligence — a crucial subject I have explored in my DS680 class.
What advice would you give to prospective students interested in an MSDS program?
I would definitely recommend maximizing your year at Boston University. As MSDS students, we get plenty of enriching opportunities to complement our education outside the classroom: conferences and guest talks (like those hosted weekly by Spark!), hackathons, extracurricular activities, CDS events, etc. There is always stuff going on here.
What are your goals post-graduation?
I am really interested in machine learning, so I would love to get a job that enables me to continue learning about, discussing, and experimenting with new models and applications. Given my consulting background, I believe something like a machine-learning consultant would be ideal for me.
Fun or interesting facts about you.
I love playing the piano and have found some cool spots to do so around campus.
