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For over twenty years, Charles “Chuck” Allias developed his profession in emergency medical services (EMS). Serving as an educator and program director, he guided the upcoming generation of paramedics and EMTs, crafting programs that aligned with national benchmarks, mentoring students through challenging examinations, and discovering novel methods to enhance their success rates.
Data had always been integral to his responsibilities. Chuck analyzed test results to foresee who might succeed, pinpoint areas where students required assistance, and utilized findings to optimize outcomes. How did he fare? Quite simply, his method was effective, increasing his program’s pass rate by 20%. However, even with his practical experience with data, he had never engaged with it academically. His foundation was in health and physical education, with a master’s in exercise science.
So when Chuck enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Data Science (MDS) program, it initially felt akin to “learning a foreign language.” Yet, with encouragement and determination, he swiftly found his stride, and now, just a little over a year later, he’s flourishing in the program and approaching graduation.
Returning to the classroom
“It wasn’t simple for me to dive into data science,” Chuck confesses. “I’ve been on the opposite side of the classroom for years, so returning as a student, particularly in a discipline where I had limited prior exposure, was enlightening.”
Pitt’s performance-based admissions eased the transition, but Chuck still needed to adapt. Summer sessions were intensified, and online learning demanded a different type of discipline. “Initially, the absence of face-to-face interaction was intimidating. But the group office hours and camaraderie from colleagues truly aided me. The Slack community was understanding, collaborative, and uplifting, especially for those of us in this initial online cohort.”
Managing full-time work, family, and graduate studies
Alongside his academic responsibilities, Chuck holds a full-time job, is married, and has two children, one attending college and another about to graduate from high school. “Balancing everything while adding school wasn’t straightforward,” he remarks. “But I have an excellent support network. I allocate evenings and weekends for studying, and what simplifies it is that on Coursera, you can preview the curriculum several weeks in advance. That assists me in organizing around job and family obligations.”
He generally takes six credits most semesters but pushed to nine this fall to expedite his completion. By the end of this year, Chuck will have finished all 30 credits of the program in just a little over one year.
Immediate real-world impact
Even before completion, Chuck is already implementing what he’s acquiring. He has developed dashboards at his workplace, employed new tools to evaluate student success rates, and investigated how AI could influence the future of medical education.
“As an educator, you can’t remain stagnant,” Chuck articulates. “If I taught the same way I did 20 years ago, my students wouldn’t have the necessary skills to thrive today. The same applies to data science; everything is constantly evolving. You must continually improve yourself.”
Why Pitt’s MDS was the perfect choice
For Chuck, the decision hinged on three factors: flexibility, affordability, and prestige.
- Flexibility: Completely online, allowing for course management alongside a challenging career and family responsibilities.
- Affordability: A pay-as-you-go tuition model that made the degree attainable without a financial strain.
- Prestige: “Possessing a degree from Pitt carries significance,” he states. “It’s a reputable university, and that counts.”
Looking forward
With only nine credits remaining, Chuck can envision the finish line. He’s eager to participate in Pitt’s in-person commencement ceremony and is already contemplating how to leverage his degree, whether to advance his career in higher education leadership or explore new avenues in data and analytics.
“This program has unlocked doors to new opportunities,” Chuck shares. “I’ve always been passionate about computers and data analytics, and now I possess the skills to chase those aspirations. With AI becoming increasingly central to our endeavors, one needs to grasp how it operates. This degree offers me that groundwork.”
His guidance for prospective students? Stay determined. “You’ll encounter hurdles, particularly if you’re a novice in data science like I was. But it’s worthwhile. Be flexible, utilize the resources Pitt provides, and have faith that you can achieve success, even after being away from the classroom for years.”
Whether you’re like Chuck, transitioning from a non-technical realm, or already engaged with data, Pitt’s online Master of Data Science is crafted to align with your lifestyle and broaden your career prospects. Discover the complete degree program today!
The post From Educator to Online Learner: Chuck’s Learning Journey with the Pitt MDS first appeared on Coursera Blog.
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