MDS Spotlight: Meet Sandra Gross, MDS Vancouver, Class of 2024
Sandra Gross’ road to the UBC Master of Data Science (MDS) Vancouver program began while she was on exchange at UBC while completing her Bachelor of Science in Management and Technology from Technical University of Munich (TUM).
While on exchange, one of the courses that Gross took was UBC’s DSCI 100 (Introduction to Data Science), an area she had no previous knowledge in.
“This course was taught by Joel [Östblom], one of the MDS instructors, and the concrete concepts we learned really piqued my interest in data science and gave me an idea of what is possible with data science,” said Gross. “At the end of the course, when Joel presented the MDS program to us, I knew right away that I wanted to apply.”
Gross also applied and got accepted to the Master’s program in Finance and Information Management at TUM but ultimately chose the MDS program.
“MDS is the optimal choice for anyone looking to delve into data science. Its concise structure and practical focus—rather than theoretical research—opens doors for individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of their prior technical expertise and academic background. I haven't encountered any other program that imparts such comprehensive knowledge in such a short timeframe,” Gross explained.
To prepare for the MDS program, Gross took an online course to gain experience in Python, a language that is used throughout MDS. She also recommended that people who are a bit rusty in math or statistics brush up on the basics.
Once in the program, Gross discovered that MDS offered numerous advantages, particularly its practical orientation that has equipped her with the essential skills needed to tackle real-world challenges as a data scientist.
“The journey over the last 10 months has been truly transformative, presenting a learning curve unlike any I have previously encountered. It starts with the basics of programming languages and progresses to advanced topics such as machine learning models, Bayesian statistics, and cloud computing,” she added.
Gross also felt it was crucial that the MDS’s classes and labs were all in-person. “It was nice to see all my peers, catch up with them, collaborate, and support each other in the labs. This dynamic would have been challenging to replicate in a fully online setting. The interaction with my cohort and the engagement with the teacher were significant contributors to my positive experience at MDS.”
In addition to academic training, Gross liked that the program provided a variety of workshops that are crucial for job preparation. These included resume building and interview preparation sessions, as well as a mentor program, where students are paired with a data science professional in the industry.
As well, the capstone project was an incredibly insightful part of Gross’ experience at MDS.
“It felt rewarding to apply the theoretical knowledge we've learned over the past 10 months to tackle a real-world problem that, if solved, could genuinely create value. It was a great environment to test different approaches in an interdisciplinary team.
Gross’s project was with Illuminex AI and focused on object detection—a subject not covered in the program. “This was particularly valuable as it mirrored real-world scenarios where one often encounters problems not previously covered in coursework.”
After the program, Gross will start a data science internship at a consulting firm, before going back to do another two-year master’s program at TUM in Finance and Information Management.
Once she has finished her education, Gross is interested in either working as a Data Science Consultant or applying data science in the field of medicine. “By enhancing the use of digital technologies in medicine, we can improve efficiency and, consequently, deliver increased value to society.”
Sandra’s Top 3 Tips on Succeeding in the MDS Program:
- Establish a Routine and Schedule: The program will be intense, so it's crucial to create a well-organized schedule. This helped me to not only meet my deadlines efficiently but also allocate time for personal activities like sports, which was vital for me to maintain good mental health and work-life balance.
- Stay Proactive and Manage Your Time Wisely: An alumni once mentioned, "MDS is not a sprint; it's a marathon," which I think captures the essence perfectly. It's important to pace yourself over the ten months. This means managing your energy resources and starting your assignments and studies early enough to keep up with the speed of MDS.
- Build Strong Connections with Classmates: Having supportive friends from the program was invaluable, making classes and labs much more enjoyable. We were able to help each other a lot, given our diverse backgrounds, and also had a great time together especially in the block breaks. And you never know, these connections could evolve into valuable business networks in the future. So, make sure to connect with your peers!