McCourt School’s data science Career Lab provides a virtual forum and expert guidance for future policymakers
In the growing data science field, McCourt School MS-DSPP graduates 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 projected to surge 35% between 2022 and 2032.
The McCourt School of Public Policy’s Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy (MS-DSPP) Career Lab ensures that data science graduates land work in this lucrative field.
Career Lab provides a “hands-on” personalized experience that includes second-year students who have already sought employment sharing their experience and insights with first-year students, in addition to concrete skills such as structuring a portfolio and CV.
The Lab also incorporates Data Science in Action (DSiA) talks, which bring in real-world experts who discuss the future of data science and offer insider job-hunting tips.
Ioannis Ziogas, assistant teaching professor at the McCourt School and assistant research professor at the Massive Data Institute
“Every month, we invite people from academia, the private sector or the government to talk about what skills are attractive to potential employers,” said Ioannis Ziogas , assistant teaching professor at the McCourt School and assistant research professor at the Massive 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 U.S. 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 the federal courts, the Department of Defense, think tanks and nonprofit consulting firms, hire entry-level candidates.
Career Lab, which launched in September 2023, is instrumental in showing students the way forward in this nascent field. “Given the unique nature of our program, the traditional career development support structure does not apply because our graduates have highly technical skills and target generally different employment opportunities,” said Ziogas.
Most of the 60 students in the MS-DSPP program participate in Career Lab’s various offerings, said Ziogas. And for good reason.
“Our career placement record approximates 100%,” he said. “There is a lot of need for individuals who can manage large databases and develop innovative, predictive models. McCourt School graduates can answer this call and expertly address questions relevant to public policy decision-making.”