women in data science Archives - University of Wisconsin Data Science Degree

As part of our Women in Data Science series highlighting the importance of women in the data science industry, we’re shining the spotlight on Jennifer Cox, a M.S. graduate in data science and the program manager for the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science program.

After graduating from UW-Platteville in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business, Jennifer worked as a program manager at a group home for adjudicated youth. However, she missed using the technical skills she gained in her psychology degree, specifically the statistical components.

program manager Jen Cox with her three daughters — *Jen and her three daughters*

Jennifer then transitioned to working in a research project management role within the School of Medicine and Public Health at UW-Madison, which is where she discovered the data science field. She was exposed to how databases, programming, and statistics merge together to investigate issues in healthcare. Jennifer also learned how big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are used to advance knowledge of disease, and offer opportunities for better prevention and treatment.

While in her role at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Jennifer decided to pursue a master’s degree in data science. She had been researching programs since graduating with her bachelor’s degree, but nothing seemed like the right fit. Then, she found the online UW Master of Science in Data Science program. She began her degree in 2016 while working full-time and raising her young children.

“It was not easy, but with support and encouragement from my family and the Data Science program staff, I was able to graduate in 2018,” Jennifer said. “I was thrilled to have completed another major goal in my life and in something I felt so passionate about.”

The UW Data Science program helped Jennifer gain confidence in her ability to do her work, and her employer noticed this. After she earned her degree, Jennifer joined a team of clinical informatics professionals to create a master’s degree program.

“I learned a lot about academic program development and found I enjoyed putting together the many different components required to effectively run a program,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer began her role as program manager for UW Master of Science in Data Science and UW Bachelor of Science in Applied Computing in August of 2020.

The following Q&A with Jennifer Cox spotlights her role as program manager and as a woman in the data science field.

*Jen and her family upon graduation with her master’s degree in data science in 2018*

What is your role as a UW Extended Campus program manager?

As a program manager of the MS in Data Science and BS in Applied Computing, I serve as a liaison to the programs’ partner campuses to establish systems, policies, procedures, and business practices that support effective operations. I see myself as a cheerleader for the programs, encouraging and supporting our partners to communicate and make decisions together as a team to best support our students. If we have shared goals, and an understanding of one another, we can best serve our students. I also collaborate with and provide support to internal UW Extended Campus team members to satisfy goals of these programs.

It is important to me that the programs are successful because I’m very passionate about both of these fields. I believe these programs are very strong and UW Extended Campus does a great job of setting students up for success. Graduates of these programs are the future of these fields, so I want to set them up to be the best they can be.

Why did you choose the UW Data Science program as a student? What unique perspectives do you bring to your role as Program Manager?

As a Wisconsin native, I knew I could trust the quality of UW programs. I chose the UW Data Science program because I liked that it was 100 percent online and that I could alter my school schedule based on my personal needs. I also felt the curriculum fully covered the skills needed to be successful in the field, with a good mix of technical and nontechnical coursework. The program also leverages instructors from several UW campuses. These instructors are experts in their domains and they work hard to ensure course content is continuously updated to keep us relevant in the field.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Graduates of these programs are the future of these fields, so I want to set them up to be the best they can be.” – Jennifer Cox, UW Data Science Program Manager[/perfectpullquote]

I am utilizing the skills I obtained as a UW Data Science student in my program manager role by using data to understand organizational needs and to guide program decisions. I’m also able to effectively communicate data-related information to all audiences so both technical and nontechnical team members can understand. I also have the advantage of experiencing the program firsthand as a student, so I am able to share a student perspective with our campus partners.

Why are women crucial to the data science field?

Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to all areas of work. Leveraging women’s views allows a more complete understanding of an issue and how resolution might be reached. Gathering diverse perspectives, in general, will likely lead to an outcome that is more applicable to the masses.

Women should pursue a data science career if they have an interest, and they shouldn’t feel discouraged by the predominantly male field. There is an increasing amount of women working in technical fields and rightfully so. We need highly skilled women to use their experiences and perspectives to bring understanding to all areas of data science.

Women and men currently in the field can support women entering the data science field by encouraging involvement and providing mentorship. Women should believe in themselves and have confidence that they are a valued contributor to the field.

*Jen and her family before her youngest was born*

What advice do you have for prospective data science students?

Getting a master’s degree is both a financial and time commitment. You should be honest with yourself about what your interests are and what you want to get out of completing the degree. It’s also important to make sure the outcomes of the program align with your goals and that the degree makes financial sense.

Having a support system is also really important. You should discuss your coursework schedule and how long it might take you to earn the degree with your support system. It’s likely you will have to give up some time with your family and friends to be successful, but understand it’s only temporary and it will pay off in the end.

How will data science impact the future?

In this digital age, data surrounds us and, when used and interpreted appropriately, we can improve the world around us. Organizations can use data science to improve business practices, such as making operations more efficient or improving products and services. For example, healthcare organizations can use data to improve knowledge of diseases and how to best prevent and treat them. Information gained from harnessing data can allow us to learn things that might not have been possible before.

UW Data Science strives to be inclusive

In an effort to highlight the importance of women in the data science industry, this is the second post of a blog post series from UW Data Science. The Women in Data Science series features the crucial roles women take on within the computing field. Additionally, the series highlights students, faculty, and program leaders of the UW Master of Science in Data Science program who share their experiences as women in the data science industry, and offer advice for breaking into the male-dominated profession.

The UW Master of Science in Data Science program aims to create an inclusive environment for all. If you’d like to learn about graduates of the program, read about Venmathi Shanmugam, a modeling and simulations engineer working at the Veterans Affairs office, and Halee Mason, a lead data scientist at Cloud9 Esports, Inc. You can also learn about our diverse faculty members.

Have questions about the courses, tuition, or how to apply? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

According to a 2020 National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) report, women make up 57 percent of the overall workforce, but only 26 percent of computing and math occupations. This is the first post in a new series from the University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science to highlight the importance and need for women in the data science industry. The Women in Data Science series will feature the crucial roles women take on within the computing field. Additionally, the series will highlight students, faculty, and program leaders of the UW Master of Science in Data Science program who share their experiences as women in the data science industry, and offer advice for breaking into the male-dominated profession.

Though there is a lot of work yet to be done for women’s inclusivity in data science, there are a few statistics that are worth celebrating. In this first blog post, we take a look at hiring trends, strengths women bring to data science roles, and how women can stay competitive in the industry.

Positive job growth for women in data science

First, let’s break down the percentage of women in computing occupations. A 2022 Burtch Works study found that the number of women in data scientist roles has reached 24 percent, an increase from 2018 where just 15 percent of data scientists were women. The same study also found that the largest percentage of women in data science roles are in the entry-level individual contributor category.

These numbers indicate a possible increased presence of women in the field, along with the beginning of women-led leadership. However, there is still a great need for growth in the computing field for women and other minority groups, especially in the mid-to-senior level leadership roles historically held by men.

Diversity reduces bias and improves work quality in organizations

The 2020 NCWIT report also found that women in the computing workforce are more racially and ethnically diverse than men in the field. As shown in the graphic below, there is a higher percentage of women with African American, Black, and Asian descent who hold computing roles than men.

Graphic from the 2020 National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) report showing the racial composition between women and men with computer and information sciences (CIS) bachelor degrees in 2019. At all degree levels, the women earning CIS degrees are more racially and ethnically diverse when compared to men.

Workplace diversity plays a large role in reducing bias, which is especially critical in the computing field. According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study, “Interpreting causal relationships and correlations in large data sets requires subtlety, and both humans and machine learning algorithms can occasionally ‘see’ patterns that lead to spurious, biased, or even downright dangerous conclusions.” A diverse team—whether by gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, disability, and more—allows for various opinions and experiences to be considered when tackling projects.

Workplace diversity also improves the quality of work. A study done by Columbia University researchers Bo Cowgill and Fabrizio Dell’Acqua found that prediction errors were correlated within demographic groups, especially by gender and ethnicity. More diverse teams will reduce the chance for compounding biases, resulting in fewer errors.

While diversity reduces bias, it also leads to higher innovation revenue. Because people with different backgrounds and experiences often work through problems in different ways to come up with a variety of solutions, the odds that one of the solutions will be a financial success increases.

A chance to make a difference in the world

There are a number of ways that data science impacts the world, and according to the BCG study, this is important to women. The study found that 73 percent of women entering the data science and machine learning field prioritize tangible impact in their career choice, compared to 50 percent of men.

Graphic from the BCG study comparing the percentage of women and men STEM students who have a preference for working on applied problems with tangible impact. On average, the results show that women, including data science majors, place a higher emphasis on applied, impact-driven work than men do.

However, many women do not see data science roles as fulfilling their career goals. According to the same study, half of women instead see the data science field as “theoretical and abstract, focused on manipulating code and data with low impact and, by implication, low purpose.” Although there are probably many factors that contribute to this negative perception, the study cites the largest is the companies themselves. It is argued that companies are not communicating the important and meaningful role that data scientists play within their business, deterring applicants.

Data science is utilized in all industries, ranging from renewable energy, to healthcare, to public safety. Within these industries, the work of data scientists often has a tangible impact on the technology that will shape our future. In order to recruit women to data science roles, companies should showcase how data science is at the heart of effective decision making by highlighting the specific problems that data scientists solve in their organization. Bottom line, all industries stand to benefit from the experiences, perspectives, and skills that women in the field have to offer, and they must work toward better communicating with women in data science.

How to stand out in a competitive industry

If you have an interest in data science and want to stay competitive, enrolling in a data science master’s degree program may be the right next move for your career. You can start by asking yourself a few important questions before taking the leap, including which program is the right fit. Diversity in faculty expertise and perspectives is a critical component to consider before applying to a program. It’s important that you can relate to and feel supported by program faculty and staff.

UW Data Science strives to be inclusive

The gender gap within data science roles and leadership positions continues to be a pressing issue. Every organization can benefit from prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within their internal culture and hiring processes. This requires conversations at all employment levels, from institutions granting degrees to CEOs discussing promotions to leadership positions.

The UW Master of Science in Data Science program aims to create an inclusive environment for all. If you’d like to learn about graduates of the program, read about Venmathi Shanmugam, a modeling and simulations engineer working at the Veterans Affairs office, and Halee Mason, who is a lead data scientist at Cloud9 Esports, Inc. You can also learn about our diverse faculty members.

Have questions about the courses, tuition, or how to apply? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

Women in Data Science: Meet Jennifer Cox, UW Data Science’s Program Manager

What is your role as a UW Extended Campus program manager?

Why did you choose the UW Data Science program as a student? What unique perspectives do you bring to your role as Program Manager?

Why are women crucial to the data science field?

What advice do you have for prospective data science students?

How will data science impact the future?

UW Data Science strives to be inclusive

Women in Data Science: Why They’re Critical to the Data Science Workforce

Positive job growth for women in data science

Diversity reduces bias and improves work quality in organizations

A chance to make a difference in the world

How to stand out in a competitive industry

UW Data Science strives to be inclusive

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