Adriana Alfaro

Getting into grad school isn’t that big of a deal to me, but maybe it won’t hit me until I’m actually sitting in class.

I knew I’d get into Stockton University’s Data Science program when I applied. But now I’m wondering if I can actually finish it.

I studied Mass Communications with a Journalism focus in undergrad, which isn’t the typical route for a Master’s in Data Science where most students come from math, computer science, or finance.

Given my limited coding experience and less-than-strong math skills, applying for a Master’s in Data Science is almost laughable. Yet, deciding to pursue this degree felt like an insistent phone call that I couldn’t ignore.

While I initially had my doubts, my mentors did not. I collected three recommendation letters, wrote a personal essay, and secured a spot in the 2024 fall semester at Stockton University.

The program can be completed as a full-time student in one year. To be transparent, I might fail a class and take an extra year, but I won’t give up easily.

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‘What exactly is data science?’

Data science is like being a detective for information, just like journalism!

Data scientists find patterns, solve problems, and make predictions, using numbers and computers to explore and learn from lots of information for smart decisions or new discoveries.

During the summer of 2023, a series of spontaneous events unfolded, sparking my intense fascination with data science.

• Inspired by the Netflix documentary ‘Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer,’ I saw how Deanna Thompson, a Las Vegas Data Analyst, and internet sleuths used basic metadata skills to connect a suspect to disturbing cat torture videos, which eventually lead to an arrest.

• During this time, I also got into @style.analytics on Instagram, where they use R software for cool fashion insights, broadening how I see the power of data in various fields.

• In my first six months as a Digital Strategist at Kensington Furniture, I spearheaded a project to clean up customer data, addressing issues such as duplicate contacts, fake emails, and incorrect phone numbers that had slipped through the cracks. Now, I’m delving into using this refined data to revamp our sales strategies and enhance customer experiences.

Now, armed with data, my goal is to apply my skills in impactful journalism, business operations, marketing, and humanitarian efforts.

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I’m excited to start this journey, and I’d love for you to join me as I share my experiences throughout the year. I hope to inspire those hesitant to take the first step in pursing their dreams.

My textbooks arrived last night, so I better get to studying. (Did I mention I start in the fall? It’s February.)

thanks for reading,

Adriana