In the blisteringly fast-paced world of data science, algorithms are trained and retrained, able to predict everything from stock prices and earthquakes to customer preferences and crime rates. The pace is, for many, much too quick. Not so for Andy Berrios, a current student in UHD’s Master of Data Analytics (MSDA) program and one of our newest alums (Computer Science, ’24)—for him, it’s just right.
By his own admission, however, this wasn’t always the case. As the son of Honduran immigrants, he had many false starts on his educational journey. “I dropped out of college twice before my time at UHD,” Berrios said. “I just never felt capable of completing a college degree.” These academic anxieties were compounded by financial ones as well, and he didn’t make much progress beyond his associate degree.
That changed when he discovered a bevy of scholarships (the Lone Star Scholarship and the Texas Transfer Grant, among them) for which he qualified. Berrios applied, and, perhaps to no one's surprise but his own, he was granted funds that relieved his financial burden and allowed him to reach his full potential.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, Berrios landed a role as a data scientist at Kellogg's (a position he still holds), where he quickly became immersed in the challenges of working with large datasets. His current project, for example, involves creating a machine-learning model to predict which customers are most likely to pay their bills late.
The project is complex, involving thousands of variables and a decision-tree algorithm. For Berrios, it's fascinating. "It's a great opportunity to apply my skills to a real-world problem," he said. "And it's also a way to help companies improve their operations."
Outside of the classroom, Berrios was, and still is, dedicated to his professional development, so much so that he helped lead two student organizations on campus: the UHD chapter of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions as a student advocate, and as the leader-in-residence of the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities.
His best piece of advice for Gators? “Enjoy your time, join clubs, attend events, make friends. But also prioritize your success outside of the classroom by developing yourself professionally.”