Having amassed over three decades in the telecommunications sector and boasting a remarkable career as an officer in the Marine Corps, Mike Norton shows no signs of slowing his pace. On the contrary, he’s gaining momentum. Currently a leader in Product Management at T-Mobile, Mike has embraced the dynamic domain of data science, blending his technical proficiency and leadership background to maintain competitiveness and generate value for his organization and team. His narrative encompasses more than mere career advancement — it’s about his unwavering resolve to continually enhance his skills, his enthusiasm for mentoring, and his deliberate choice to remain pertinent in a swiftly evolving field.

With two master’s degrees already acquired, Mike Norton recognized the importance of further honing his skill set. Consequently, he pursued his third master’s degree through the University of Colorado Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science via Coursera.

A Professional Journey Marked by Leadership and Transformation

Mike’s path commenced at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, culminating in 7.5 years of service in the Marine Corps. Following his military tenure, he shifted into telecommunications, where he ascended through the ranks in IT management and application development. Throughout the years, he oversaw sophisticated systems — covering billing, ordering, and network management among others — consistently forging a career characterized by leadership and technical knowledge.

However, seven years ago, Mike encountered a significant turning point. Upon his company’s reorganization, he embraced the opportunity to reinvent himself as an individual contributor rather than retreating. Utilizing his management experience, he ultimately transitioned into product management — first as a consultant and later securing a permanent role at T-Mobile. The organization’s emphasis on data unveiled new opportunities for Mike, leading him to observe: “Data is crucial here,” he states. “To deliver maximum value, continuous learning is essential.” With this mindset, Mike embarked on his third master’s degree journey with the University of Colorado Boulder.

At T-Mobile, the importance of education is evident, as Mike has benefitted from employer tuition reimbursement opportunities. “I’m exceedingly pleased with the program. I appreciate the affordability. For the investment, it’s quite economical. It’s so reasonable that I’ve managed it within the funding provided by T-Mobile.”

The Quest for Mastery in Data Science

As he started his enrollment in the program, Mike acknowledged that his technical foundation was solid, but also understood that to genuinely excel in data science and machine learning, formal training was necessary. After previously completing a six-month machine learning certificate program, he sought further — a comprehensive understanding of big data, statistics, and non-AI aspects of data science.

The adaptability of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Data Science program and the hands-on approach of the curriculum were precisely what Mike desired:

“In a conventional classroom, knowledge is here today and gone tomorrow. But in this program, the blend of videos, labs, and assessments truly solidifies the understanding.”

Mike also commends the instructors, especially Dr. Jen Corcoran and Dr. Zaharatos, whose captivating and demanding teaching methodologies have made a significant impact. “90% of the educators I’ve encountered have been exceptional,” Mike reflects. The option to work at his own pace proved transformative. “If you’re not feeling well one day, you can resume later. That flexibility is tremendously valuable.”

Regarding enrollment, Mike chose the technical pathway into the program, tackling courses on statistics and data pipeline engineering. Although he confesses that revisiting calculus was a challenge, he recognizes the worth in the effort. “Some of the statistics courses were heavily math-oriented — I hadn’t dealt with calculus in… well, I’d rather not disclose how long! However, with dedication, you grasp it.”

Sharing Knowledge with the Team

Mike’s education in data science extends beyond personal development — it’s reshaping his approach to leading teams. Overseeing four machine learning scrum teams at T-Mobile, Mike has successfully applied statistical insights and modeling techniques to address real-world challenges.

“Initially, I had a solid technical comprehension. But now, I can articulate how these models function mathematically with greater clarity. I’m able to mentor my teams more effectively.”

Additionally, Mike has encouraged his teams to enhance their strategies concerning data distribution and algorithm selection. He’s motivated them to examine abstracts, challenge assumptions, and experiment with feature engineering. For instance, regarding models, he has collaborated with teams to continuously refine methods to identify the most effective approach.

A Dedication to Mentorship

Mike isn’t merely applying his newfound knowledge — he’s disseminating it as well. He regularly engages with colleagues for one-on-one mentoring sessions, guiding younger team members in navigating their career paths and building their self-confidence.

Mike’s dedication to mentoring has established him as a role model. Younger employees in their 20s have expressed that witnessing his pursuit of a degree has motivated them to return to school for their own education. He even recently inspired a team member to enroll in the same Data Science master’s degree at CU Boulder. “What (The University of Colorado Boulder) has invested in me, I now invest in others.”

“I firmly believe that as an individual shaping your career, your most valuable skill set is your capacity to learn, adapt, and continually reskill to stay relevant.”

Remaining Competitive and Ensuring Career Longevity

Mike’s drive is evident: maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving sector. He understands that as his career evolves, continuous sharpening of his skill set is essential:

“You must remain competitive because, as an employee, your costs increase. If you’re not enhancing your skills and refreshing your toolkit, you risk becoming irrelevant.”

The degree itself holds significance — but so does the knowledge accompanying it. Mike is already contemplating his next moves. Large language models represent the next challenge, and he’s gearing up by studying them independently. “I purchased a $68 book on large language models — covering both theory and practice. There’s an old adage that if you invest in 30% of the best texts in a field, you’ll be ahead of 80% of your contemporaries.”

Completing Strong and Anticipating the Future

With only one credit hour remaining, Mike is poised to graduate this May. He’s thrilled to reach the conclusion — yet, more importantly, he takes pride in the competencies he has developed along the journey. “It’s been a lengthy endeavor — akin to a marathon. But I’m eager to obtain the credential. It holds significant value.”

Mike’s long-term aspiration is to remain at the vanguard of data science, both within his organization and in the wider industry. He’s contemplating writing an abstract on anomaly detection and submitting it to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Engaging in public speaking at data science conferences is also on his agenda — a return to a strength from earlier in his career.

“I’m certainly not a young newcomer,” he jests. “But I intend to contribute for many years ahead, and I’m already pondering what new knowledge I will pursue next.”

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