Moe Obeidat knows data. Based in the Chicago area, he works as a data analyst at a Fortune 500 company, where reporting, visualization, and SQL are part of his everyday toolkit. But like many working professionals in the field, Moe was eager to take the next step: moving from analysis into advanced roles in data science and machine learning.

That’s what led him to the University of Pittsburgh’s online Master of Data Science degree program (MDS).

“I was looking online for programs that matched the hours that I could do at my own pace as a full-time employee, and I wanted a school that was well known,” Moe shared. “Pitt is an R1 school. The program aligned well with my experience and with what I was hoping to learn and get out of it.”

From theory to real-world application

With an economics background and prior coursework in math, statistics, and econometrics, Moe found the MDS curriculum both familiar and refreshingly applicable.

“In undergrad, you study a lot of theory. What I appreciate about this program is that you go deeper into how you apply it using new methods. The projects are industry-related, which makes it feel immediately relevant.”

His first course was through the performance-based admissions (PBA) pathway. “PBA was very interesting. From my experience so far in the program, it’s one of the hardest classes. But I understand why. It pulls all the theory into one course. It’s challenging, but it sets you up for success.”

Courses that sparked growth at work

When considering the program, certain classes stood out for Moe, not just for their academic challenge but for their direct impact on his job.

• The Art of Data Visualization: “In my daily work I’ve been creating a lot of reporting, so that course really helped me. I learned new techniques and methods that I now use both on the job and in future projects.”
• LLM (Large Language Models) and Their Applications: “It’s basically like learning AI. How AI tools are made and how they work. I’d been looking forward to this course since I enrolled, and I just started it recently. It’s exciting because it connects directly to the kind of machine learning work I want to do in my career.”

For Moe, the MDS has become more than a degree. It’s a bridge toward his next career move. “I’m hoping to break into roles more aligned with becoming a full data scientist or machine learning engineer. That’s part of why I chose this program.”

Flexibility that fits a busy life

Moe’s balancing act is no small feat: he works full-time and is completing the MDS full-time as well. He credits the online modality and support structure for making it possible.

“It takes a lot of tools to balance! I usually dedicate weekends to coursework. Coursera’s platform has also been very helpful to help me structure due dates and coursework.”

Live office hours and professor accessibility also stood out: “Professors and TAs run office hours, and you can meet with and email them directly. That flexibility is really helpful and appreciated since I know they are teaching classes in person as well.”

And the application process itself was refreshingly straightforward. “Almost every school out there required GREs, high GPAs, and a more intense application. With Pitt, I completed the PBA course, achieved the grade, verified my degree, and I was in. It was a smooth experience.”

Looking ahead: “The future is data”

Moe has already seen the benefits of his coursework in his current role, and he’s confident it will open doors to the next phase of his career. He also sees the MDS as a program accessible to learners from a variety of backgrounds, not just those already working in data.

As Moe put it:

“You can succeed in the program even without a background in tech or experience in data. I encourage everyone to explore that. The future is data, AI, and machine learning. It’s going to be here for a while; it’s not going anywhere. If you jump now, and you get this experience and learning, and you can apply it in your current role or future role, it’ll be very helpful. Not to mention a degree from Pitt is going to look great on your CV.”

Interested in joining learners like Moe who are leveling up their careers with a data science degree? Explore the MDS program here.