Personal Statement
One of my life-long passions is processing and synthesizing information. Since childhood, I have been interested in creating algorithms, solving puzzles, and finding mathematical methods of synthesizing information. My education always revolved around calculus and analysis. They also persist in my working life as I work as an accountant. Yet, I also intend to broaden my knowledge to include data science. Many experts consider data science and accounting to be closely related. I intend to use my interest in mathematics and accounting experience to pursue the Master’s program in Data Science at the University of Texas.
Reasons for Application
Choice of University
I chose the University of Texas for three main reasons. First, it is a highly qualitative educational establishment, which graduates thousands of specialists each year. Second, the university has amassed more than 120 years of teaching experience and knowledge in virtually all spheres. Third, its Data Science program has a unique selection of courses, which will help me achieve my professional goals. Overall, the history, credibility, and choice of learning programs have invigorated my interest in the University of Texas.
Professional Opinion on Accounting and Data Science
A number of experts believe in the applicability of Data Science to the position of a United States Certified Public Accountant. IBM’s chief technology officer Leon Katsnelson believes that domain knowledge is essential in the work of a data scientist. By domain knowledge, she refers to the deep familiarity with business and its processes. As artificial intelligence becomes more efficient at learning from data, major changes in corporations are expected, with more work being done by computers rather than people. At the same time, Katsnelson states that the role of accountants will be paramount in working with AI because of human judgment. However, accountants will transition to data scientists, and this should be the target of modern education.
It should be noted that data science is not limited to working with AI. Modern information is complicated and multivariate, and it is not accessible to most people. The Data Science program teaches students to synthesize knowledge and convey complex ideas to a larger audience, whether it includes professionals or people not familiar with scientific language. This is why Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada advise accountants to study data science. This discipline enables learners to provide valuable insights to stakeholders clearly.
Finally, Analytics India Magazine holds the viewpoint that finance knowledge provides accountants with the ability to learn data science easily. Accuracy is extremely important in the analysis of numbers and charts. An accounting background provides unique benefits to handling data science because they already know how to work with data in the business setting. As a result, it is relatively easy to delve into this area for people who have experience preparing financial records.
Personal Reasons
I would like to complete the Data Science Master’s program. As it is online, it would allow me to work and study at the same time. Currently, I have a full-time job, but my schedule is structured in such a way that I can attend the lectures and seminars, as well as complete any work, which is required for the courses. Moreover, considering the pandemic and the recommendation to avoid close physical contact, the online format is a sufficient alternative. I possess the computer equipment necessary for studying at home. As a result, the flexibility and safety of the online program have a special appeal to me.
Ultimately, my long-term goal is to become a professional data scientist. As has already been mentioned, this position necessitates business expertise and familiarity with mathematics and programming. I have accounting skills and have spent most of my life practicing calculus. Working with financial statements has familiarized me with business practices. However, I lack sufficient mastery of programming languages. The Data Science program focuses on teaching the students to understand and create algorithms. Combined with my comprehension of mathematics, this program will help me transition from an accountant to a data scientist.
Reasons for Enrollment
Qualifications
I consider myself a suitable candidate for receiving this education. First, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, with a cumulative grade point average of 75%. Furthermore, my understanding of calculus was enhanced with a minor in statistics. Additionally, I did coursework in Statistics and Calculus and received good marks for completing undergraduate courses in Python. Overall, I have a sufficient level of relevant education for pursuing the Master’s program in Data Science.
Another proof of my skills and knowledge of programming is the IBM Data Science Certification. As part of this course, students were required to familiarize themselves with open source tools and libraries, Python, databases, SQL, data visualization, data analysis, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and machine learning algorithms. It is directly related to the Data Science program because it requires user experience with programming languages such as R, Python, and C++. IBM Data Science Certification proves that I am capable of data manipulations in a virtual environment.
Personal Qualities
Learning is most efficient when students are passionate about the subject. This is a quality that is particularly expressed in my case. I have always found mathematical analysis interesting and sought venues for practicing calculus, whether within the framework of educational requirements or on my own. Moreover, my skill of thinking critically, which have been sharpened by continuous practice in mathematics, will help me master the techniques, algorithms, and tools essential for the extraction of scientific knowledge and transforming it into data.
I also have substantial time management experience, which helps me deliver results while meeting deadlines. I have developed this skill while working at my full-time job. By combining work and study, I have learned to manage my time and resources efficiently, which will be especially valuable in completing coursework with due quality and without delays. Another useful skill, which the job has provided me with, is processing large flows of information. The ability to distinguish meaningful data and present it in a concise way is essential for a data scientist. Therefore, I believe that my education, work experience, and personal qualities make me a suitable choice for a student in the Data Science program.
Conclusion
Altogether, accounting provides the fundamental basis for learning data science. Both disciplines require experience with programming languages, mathematics, and the analysis of information. Over the course of my life, I have studied calculus, and statistics, received relevant education and gained appropriate work experience. I also learned to manage time effectively and provide sufficient quality. The University of Texas has the capacity to be fully qualified graduate data scientists. Combined with my current job as an accountant, my educational background and personal strivings make me a suitable candidate for the Master’s Data Science program.