For students, there’s nothing like the chance to do real projects

Claire-Isabelle Carlier was a member of the first cohort of the University of Michigan School of Information’s fully online Master of Applied Data Science degree program. She came to the program with a background in translation and multicultural management, and a budding interest in data analytics. 

At UMSI, Carlier found the support and opportunities she needed to make a successful career transition. She graduated in 2021 and is now a senior data scientist at Engineered Intelligence. 

UMSI’s emphasis on relevant, engaged learning and practical experience was especially valuable for Carlier. One of her most challenging and gainful experiences as a student was joining a project in collaboration with the U-M School of Public Health to build a COVID-19 dashboard that reports cases and tests in Michigan — a project that she supported for over three years. 

“While some students can engage in research projects during their master’s, not everyone gets the chance to work on real-life projects with such impactful outcomes,” Carlier says. “It was an opportunity of a lifetime that gave me a preview of the challenges and rewards of working on data projects.” 

In her Alumni Snapshot, Carlier talks about important, and perhaps surprising, skills that help data scientists work effectively on real projects.