Grad Bios
Sanjeevi Ramachandran
“Pursuing Masters is a big decision and like everyone else, I wanted to make sure to pick the right program. The course at SMU helped me shape my professional life as well as gain the data analytical and programming skills that could help solve world class problems.”
The world of Computers had always fascinated me, but what fascinated me more was how we live in a data driven world. I needed a program that could help me reach my career goals and when I saw MSc CDA, I knew it was the right program. The high-profile faculty, tutoring sessions, and classmates from different backgrounds gave me the exposure I was looking for.
I was offered an internship role and then a full time position as a Product Developer and Data Scientist at HomeExcept, a company that provides solutions for non-intrusive monitoring by analysing sensor data and interpreting results through complex machine learning algorithms.
Kanngi Mahajan
IT Specialist, IBM
“Transitioning from my Bachelors from India to a Masters program in Canada, I felt very nervous at first but within the first few steps into the program, I was comforted by the environment at SMU. Right from the very beginning the program laid down the course structure and extended open and flexible schedules.”
Within the sixteen months, I got exposure to hackathons, open data contests, and industrial tours. The projects and assignments made me stronger, not only in field of data science but also as a business analyst and a developer. Even before I graduated, I had a job waiting at IBM.
At IBM I am working as an IT Specialist to help find solutions to contemporary challenges. IBM provides me with new learning opportunities every day, where I work with experienced team members and amazing new technologies.
Jie Pan
Full Stack Developer at Proposify
“As a developer I was looking for a program that would teach me how to empower a service or product by leveraging data. The MSc CDA program provided me with necessary knowledge and skills to address industrial problems from a data science perspective.”
When I worked as developer in a power grid company in China, we often had this conundrum where we knew we had the data to improve the business, but could not find the right key to unlock its potential. That’s when I realized that having knowledge in data science would really benefit my career.
I am currently working as a full stack developer in Proposify, a SaaS company that streamlines the proposal writing process. Aside from delivering new features for our customers, we are also exploring using machine learning to provide better services.
Ildar Abdrashitov
Business Intelligence & Data Analyst at Missing Link Technologies
“MSc CDA program`s design is very industry centric and aims on providing tools, experience and professional networking to learn the data analytics profession from the trenches, through course work and challenging industry projects.”
Coming from a software development and project management background in Russia, I decided that obtaining expertise in the dynamically emerging field of data analytics was of the utmost importance for my future career goals. The MSc CDA program provided all the necessary opportunities and resources to achieve them.
Currently I am working as a data analyst processing and utilizing large and complex data to help businesses improve their decision making process through data-driven solutions.
Dinesh Kumar Govindaraj
Data Scientist at Home Except Inc.
"Excellent student/faculty ratios, achievements in data contests, flexible schedules, instructors who are industry experts, internship and research opportunities were only some of the reasons to choose MSc CDA program at SMU"
After completing my bachelors degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, I spent over three years as an Automation Developer solving complex business problems. In the same way that world economies once ran on gold and oil, I came to believe that data has become the most valuable resource of the Information Age and wanted to take my career in that direction.
My passion for Data Science and experience I gained in MSc CDA program helped me land a data science internship—and ultimately a full-time position—with HomeEXCEPT as a Data Scientist.
Jasleen Kour
Quality Assurance intern at IBM
My favorite thing of the program is that it gives opportunity to learn and work with students having varied backgrounds and experiences. There are students giving a fresh start to their carriers as well as students with many years of experience.
This courses provided me exposure to both programming and data analytics. It helped me grow my skills through practical implementation and preparing us for the real-world scenarios, learning to work as a team and handling the pressure on your own by engaging in interactive group and individual projects.
Personal and professional development sessions prepared us for interviews and gave us the chance to have one on one mock interviews. For me these sessions were of great help to land my internship in Quality Assurance at IBM, Halifax.
William Wells
The MSc CDA program taught me new skills critical for taking my career and passion for data to the next level and will without a doubt play an integral role in my continued evolution as a data science professional.
I would consider myself a life long learner who loves seeking out and solving challenging problems. Throughout my career I have learned that the best experiences come from gaining knowledge and learning to apply your skills in new and creative ways. The MSc CDA program was a perfect match to keep pace with today's rapidly changing technology.
While attending the MSc CDA program as a part time student I also worked full time at Nova Scotia Power as a Senior Solutions Architect. I will be joining Lixar as their new Data Team Lead, where I will help mentor and coach our vibrant and growing data team.