Carlo Mencarelli

Applied Data Science Program, Class of 2019

Senior Systems Engineer, NationBuilder

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional background.

“I started as an enlisted Marine focusing on logistical support. I had a lot of interest in data analytics, so I enrolled into an Information Systems undergraduate program. I began my professional career at Harris Corporation serving a major FAA contract as a network engineer and then moved over to systems engineer to begin focusing in on process improvement and system monitoring using evidence supported by the data. After reaching what I felt was my ceiling at Harris I chose to transition to a senior engineering role at NationBuilder.”

What inspired you to pursue your Master’s in Applied Data Science online from Syracuse University?

“I really enjoy process and efficiency improvement using statistical analyses as a foundation so pursuing a degree with a focus in data science made a lot of sense.”

What are your career goals?

“To be able to start up a data science team at a company and lead the company into a new era of evidence-based decision making is a major goal I have. I’d like to apply many of the machine learning approaches to different industries such as (cyber) security operations, software as a service, etc.”

What has been your favorite class and why?

“Big Data Analytics. The passion that Professor Fox has for the data science and analytics was contagious. He prompted me to continue to strive to consider problems from new perspectives even when I had a working solution already.”

How has enrolling in an online program impacted your professional and personal life?

“The 18 months I spent in the program were definitely intense. In addition to the degree I also changed jobs and became a father. Time management was critical to success both as a student and a working professional.”

Meet other students in our online programs