In the growing field of data science, MS-DSPP graduates from the McCourt School are sought after for their technical skills and public policy prowess.
The story is in the numbers: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data science job creation is expected to increase by 35% between 2022 and 2032.
The McCourt School of Public Policy Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy (MS-DSPP) Career Lab ensures that data science graduates find work in this lucrative field.
Career Lab provides a personalized “hands-on” experience that allows second-year students who have already sought employment to share their experience and ideas with first-year students, in addition to real-world skills such as structuring a portfolio and of a CV.
The lab also incorporates Data Science in Action (DSiA) conferences, which bring together real-world experts who discuss the future of data science and offer job search advice.
Ioannis Ziogas, assistant professor at the McCourt School and research assistant professor at the Massive Data Institute
“Every month we invite people from academia, the private sector or government to discuss the skills that attract potential employers,” said Ioannis Ziogas assistant professor at the McCourt School and assistant research professor at the Big Data Institute which guides Career Lab. Past speakers have included Elaine Sedenberg, strategic advisor to the president of global affairs at Meta, and Ben Jaques-Leslie, program evaluator at the US Office of Personnel Management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for data science careers exceeds $100,000, and myriad organizations, including federal courts, the Department of Defense, think tanks, and for-profit consulting firms non-profit, hiring entry-level candidates.
Career Lab, launching in September 2023, is instrumental in showing students the path forward in this emerging field. “Given the unique nature of our program, the traditional career development support structure does not apply because our graduates possess highly technical skills and typically target different employment opportunities,” Ziogas said.
Most of the 60 students in the MS-DSPP program participate in Career Lab’s various offerings, Ziogas said. And for good reason.
“Our job placement record is close to 100%,” he said. “There is a great need for people who can manage large databases and develop innovative predictive models. McCourt School graduates can answer this call and expertly answer questions relevant to public policy decision-making.