Meet OurAlumni
Thomas Kavanagh
Data Scientist
In a roundabout way, in part via experimental New York theater, bootcamp graduate Thomas Kavanagh made his way to data science. In this post, read his story and find out what he's up to now as a Data Scientist at Alkymi.
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Sami Ahmed
Commercial Solutions Engineer
Years before attending the bootcamp and switching to a career in data science, Metis graduate Sami Ahmed was focused on music. He studied film scoring and music business in college and worked as a musician, mostly composing for commercial media. Read how (and why) he made the transition to data science.
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Leon Rosenstein
Security Operations Manager
For much of his career, Leon Rosenstein’s primary working goal has been to stay one step ahead of those seeking to do digital harm. Read how his time in the bootcamp helped him expand and evolve his career trajectory, fuzing his interests in data science and online security.
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Vickie Chan
Data Scientist
This is Vickie Chan’s second time working at Fitch Ratings, one of the largest credit rating agencies in the United States. The first time exposed her to data science; now, she is a Data Scientist. Read how the bootcamp helped her make the transition.
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Amy Su
Senior Analyst, Product Operations
If you’re not hungry already, you’ll probably be ready to eat by the end of this post. Bootcamp graduate Amy Su works as the Sr. Analyst of Product Operations at HelloFresh, a meal kit delivery service known for all-natural, easy-to-prepare recipes. In addition to catching up with her to discuss her role at the data-driven company, we also talked about the joys of working with food-related data all day.
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Vaughn Parker
Computer Science + Linguistics Student
Having attended and graduated from the bootcamp at age 18, Vaughn Parker remains our youngest-ever graduate. Read about his bootcamp experience, what he's up to now as a Computer Science and Linguistics student at the University of Illinois, and how he aims to use his career to advance the capabilities of Natural Language Processing (NLP).
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Alex Smith
Data Scientist
Once the concept of AI grabbed the attention of bootcamp graduate Alex Smith, she began a self-study regimen. “The more I learned about data science in particular, the more I became convinced not only of its power to solve difficult problems but convinced that I wanted to use this incredible toolset to solve problems that I care about,” she said. Read how she shifted from a career in the humanities to data science and how she utilized a Bootcamp Prep Course to guide her.
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Kari Davis
Machine Learning Scientist
For Kari Davis, there’s before the bootcamp, and there’s after. A clear demarcation between two paces of professional life – one slower and more bureaucratic, the other fast-paced and constantly changing. Learn how a Metis Bootcamp Prep Course helped her prepare for the bootcamp and then land a new data science job.
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Carlie Badder
Data Scientist
Bootcamp graduate Carlie Badder wondered if she’d thrown her career off track by moving cross-country, leaving behind a solid research job. Read how she then found her way to the bootcamp and to a fulfilling career in data science consulting.
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Mónica Ramirez
Lead Data Scientist
Bootcamp graduate Mónica Ramirez was well-positioned when the data science boom hit Colombia, where she was born and raised. Read how her experience in our New York City bootcamp helped further her career at home.
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Nathan Maton
Data Scientist
Bootcamp graduate Nathan Maton was a curious child, casually asking unsuspecting science teachers big questions like “what is time?” on the way to field trips. That curiosity led to what he considers his strongest skill: the ability to ask good questions - and he’s not surprised it eventually led to a career in data science.
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Alexandra Fox
Data Scientist
If such a thing as a “traditional path” to data science exists, bootcamp graduate Alexandra Fox didn’t take it. Instead, she forged her own route, complete with the goal of getting a job as a data scientist immediately after graduation. Find out how she did it and what she's up to now.
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Tiffany Moeller
Software Engineer
Considering her career path and where she is now, it’s remarkable to think that Tiffany Moeller has never taken a college-level math course. Find out how she went from earning a degree in counseling to finding her way into data science and engineering, all the while finding motivation from the idea of using data for social good.
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Jeff Kao
Computational Journalist
Bootcamp graduate Jeff Kao knows that we’re living in a time of heightened media distrust – and that’s precisely why he relishes his job in the media. “It's heartening to work at an organization that cares so much about producing excellent work,” he said of the nonprofit news organization ProPublica, where he works as a Computational Journalist.
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Leon Johnson
Data Scientist
“Learn, viciously.” That's the advice Metis graduate Leon Johnson gives to those interested in the bootcamp. And he's no stranger to following his own advice when dedicated to professional and academic pursuits. Read his story, which involves a Math degree, being commissioned into the Air Force, a master's degree, the bootcamp, and his current role as Data Scientist.
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Laura Chen
Quantitative Investment Associate
Bootcamp graduate Laura Chen has always been deeply curious about human behavior. Read how she landed a job that allows her to explore that interest while also working closely with her passions for finance and technology.
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Emy Parparita
Machine Learning Engineer
After 20+ years of working as a senior-level software engineer for companies like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, Emy Parparita was looking for a change. Read how the bootcamp helped him transition to his current role of Machine Learning Engineer at Quora.
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Chris Gillespie
Sr. Analyst
Bootcamp grad Chris Gillespie is a Chicagoan through and through. He got a B.A. in Economics from Northwestern, attended our bootcamp in the city, and now works there as a Sr. Analyst at United Airlines. Read his story, including why he thinks Chicago is a strong market to launch and sustain a data science career.
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Kai-Ray Wang
Analytics Manager
News media has been through a lot of change in the past decade, especially in terms of its forced and jagged transition to digital production. Wang works to boost digital subscriptions at The New York Times as an Analytics Manager on the Consumer Acquisition team.
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Summer Rankin
Lead Data Scientist
In many ways, the training structure of a bootcamp represents ideal preparation for consulting work, which can change dramatically from project to project and requires a broad range of skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to work with rotating teams and individuals. Read Rankin's story of a transition from academia to data science consulting via the bootcamp. She is also a graduate of the Metis Data Science Bootcamp in Chicago.
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David Luther
Back-End Developer
Luther had been on the road for nearly two decades, touring with musical acts like Meat Loaf and Dweezil Zappa, singing and playing saxophone, keyboards, and rhythm guitar to sold-out crowds around the world. But in time, he began to crave a change. Read how he arrived at our Chicago bootcamp and at his current role as a back-end developer for The Perduco Group.
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Alex Smith
Data Scientist
Once the concept of AI grabbed the attention of bootcamp graduate Alex Smith, she began a self-study regimen. “The more I learned about data science in particular, the more I became convinced not only of its power to solve difficult problems but convinced that I wanted to use this incredible toolset to solve problems that I care about,” she said. Read to find out how she went from the humanities to a career in data science.
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Susan Fung
Sr. Data Analyst
In this video interview, hear Metis Seattle graduate Susan Fung tell the story of how she selected Metis vs. academia, plus she shares thoughts on her current role with Liberty Mutual and how the bootcamp helped her prepare for it.
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Dan Taber
Product Scientist
Bootcamp grad Dan Taber is certainly no stranger to data. Prior to landing his current role, he’d already been working with data for more than 15 years in various academic roles spanning science, technology, and policy. But his hard skills had fallen out of date. Enter the bootcamp as a way to bridge the gap between his academic background and industry ambitions.
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Gavin King
Data Scientist
King grew up in Arizona, got a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Wyoming, and now lives and works in Seattle, where they’ve found a home in the bustling data science community as a Data Scientist at Zulily, a growing e-commerce company...
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Sravanthi Ponnana
Business Intelligence Engineer
While working as a software engineer at a consulting agency, Sravanthi Ponnana automated computer hardware ordering processes for a project with Microsoft, attempting to identify existing and/or potential loopholes in the ordering system...
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Emily Barry
Data Scientist
Emily's interest in technology stems from a desire to know and understand how things work, while she’s naturally drawn to creative pursuits, having spent years as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist for a signed, touring band...
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Alan Schoen
Data Scientist
He wanted to experience it all – every bit of its nearly 2,200 miles, over hills and mountains, through dense woods, and across multiple state lines. When Alan Schoen took six months to hike the Appalachian Trail, he’d just returned to the United States after 10 years of studying and working abroad...
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Nelson Spencer
Senior Analyst
Nelson Spencer is a Senior Analyst of Data Strategy & Analytics at Major League Soccer’s headquarters in New York City. He’s a soccer fan who grew up playing the sport, and he still plays to this day. Even so, he says the job’s main perk is the data itself...
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Megha Jain
Data Scientist
Since taking a formative environmental science course in high school, Megha Jain has had her sights set on working in environmental policy."It's always been a fascinating area for me because it combines many different fields..." she said.
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Galen Ballew
Data Architect
Self-driving cars, once only existent in the realm of science fiction, edge closer to reality with each passing day. Data scientists like Galen Ballew, a graduate of the first Metis bootcamp in Chicago, are working day in and day out to make it so.
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Kimberely Mitchell
Data Analyst
Bootcamp graduate Kimberley Mitchell, now a Data Analyst at Newsela, always had a significant interest in one crucial pillar of data science – statistics. This propelled her toward degrees in industrial engineering and economics, and into a career that has clear a delineation between before and after the birth of the mainstream internet.
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Andre Gatorano
Principal Data Scientist
This role is different for Andre Gatorano – and that’s a good thing. He’s now a Principal Data Scientist at Capital One, where he enjoys the fruits of the company’s noticeably strong commitment to a comprehensive data strategy.
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Devin Wieker
Data Scientist
Metis graduate Devin Wieker is now a Data Scientist at Facebook’s Bay Area headquarters, where he’s focused specifically on Messenger growth and where he soaks in the highly technical work and environment.
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Michael Palazzolo
Head of Data Science
As a Neural Engineering Ph. D candidate, Michael Palazzolo designed a virtual reality video game for primates. The data he collected was used to construct statistical models that charted the relationship between arm movement and vision to brain activity.
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Sameh Saleh
Resident Physician in Internal Medicine
Sameh shares his story with the hope to inspire other clinicians-in-training to seriously consider the value of a data science education in their lifelong medical endeavors.
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Andy Sherman Ash
Data Scientist
Before he’d even heard of data science, Andy Sherman-Ash was employing the powers of artificial intelligence in his career as a professional poker player. He taught himself how to code by crafting a neural network-based poker AI that used the machine learning software Weka.
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Marcus Carney
Data Scientist
Marcus Carney’s career has spanned many different roles. After serving as an Airborne Infantryman in the United States Army, he started school at Ohio University to earn a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance. He then kicked off a career...
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Jessica Cox
Data Scientist
The road to a career in data science is often unpaved and unpredictable. For Metis alumna Jessica Cox, it started with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and led to her current role as Data Scientist at Elsevier Labs, a scientific publishing company.
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Michael Lai
Data Scientist
Chicago native Michael Lai is a lifelong basketball fan (he grew up adoring the Michael Jordan-led Bulls) with a passion for programming, data, and analytics. He recently got a job as a Data Scientist for the Philadelphia 76ers and considers working for an NBA organization a dream come true.
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Max Farago
Data Engineer
Like many Metis alumni, Max Farago came from a career quite different from data science. He worked for nearly four years as a lawyer – even running his own practice – and is now a Data Engineer at PreciseTarget, where he’s one of two people with a data background at the retail-oriented startup.
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Jamie Fradkin
Data Scientist
Metis graduate Jamie Fradkin's work as a Data Scientist at BuzzFeed is applied to optimizing viral posts that you’ve probably read and shared hundreds (or more) times.
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Nathan Cheever
Data Viz Engineer
"Data science doesn't mean a thing if it's not communicated effectively," according to Nathan Cheever. We agree, and we're excited to see Nathan putting that belief into professional practice as a Data Visualization Engineer at Ancestry.
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Jaclyn Weiser
Senior Data Scientist
Jaclyn Weiser graduated from our bootcamp in July 2015, after which she joined ZeroFOX as a Senior Data Scientist. In this Q&A, she talks her time at the social media cybersecurity startup, her experiences at Metis, and more. (Since this article was written, she's moved on to new, exciting roles in data science.)
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Yong Cho
Data Scientist
How does the weather affect your food-ordering patterns? As a Data Scientist at Grubhub, Metis bootcamp alumnus Yong Cho works on figuring out the daily impact of weather on the business.
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Alison Cossette
Senior Analyst
Bootcamp graduate Alison Cossette came to Metis with 10 years of healthcare experience and a desire to integrate that with rigorous data science training. At the time of this Q&A, she was a Senior Analyst in Center for Healthcare Management at the University of Vermont Medical Center, working on data projects that directly impact patients' healthcare. (She's since moved on to new, exciting roles in data science).
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Emily Hough Kovacs
Data Scientist
Emily is now a Data Scientist at music streaming giant Spotify, where she works on the Creator Products Insights Team. Her daily work aligns with her interest in the creative music process from start to finish.
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Jessica Freaner
Data Scientist
Looking to transition out of her career in trade finance, Jessica Freaner came across Metis and was drawn to the program based on the involvement of Datascope Analytics. The Chicago-based data science consulting firm was instrumental in developing the bootcamp curriculum...
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Lorena De La Parra Landa
Data Scientist
After graduating with a degree in International Relations from Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico, Lorena served as a Peace Corps volunteer for three years in Togo and South Africa, where she was focused on developing...
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Lillian Tong
Associate Data Scientist
During a conversation with a former colleague, Lillian Tong had an 'aha' moment. As they discussed machine learning and how it could be applied to the work being done at their company, she felt a surge of interest and engagement that she hadn’t experienced in regards to any of her previous work...
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