The Charger Blog

Alumna says Mathematics Degree Opened Wide Range of Career Possibilities

Cassandra Pray Ӱԭ17, a data science analyst, says her experiences at the University of New Haven prepared her to excel in graduate school and in her current position.

February 26, 2020

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Image of Cassandra Pray
Cassandra Pray Ӱԭ17 now works as a data science analyst.

When Cassandra Pray Ӱԭ17 was an undergraduate student at the University of New Haven, she decided to major in mathematics because she enjoyed using critical thinking and logic to solve problems.

ӰԭBecoming skilled at math means you are skilled at many types of problem solving, whether itӰԭs directly mathematical or not,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭFor me, a degree in math meant a wide range of career possibilities.Ӱԭ

After graduating from last year with a masterӰԭs degree in applied mathematics, she began working for , a nonprofit consulting firm based in Virginia, where she currently serves as a data science analyst

"Get involved with research or explore internship opportunities. The undergraduate research project I worked on with Dr. El Turkey was immensely helpful as an experiential learning opportunity."Cassanda Pray '17

Pray, who describes her role as a Ӱԭpublic trust clearance position,Ӱԭ works with mathematical models for LMIӰԭs government clients. She hopes to continue to gain experience in the field of mathematical modeling, and aspires to become an operations research analyst.

ӰԭThe math curriculum at the University of New Haven prepared me for graduate school, in particular, because I gained a great deal of applied math knowledge,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI was also very well prepared for my career, since I knew how to use various software tools Ӱԭ something that is essential.

As a member of the UniversityӰԭs math and physics club, Pray enjoyed meeting other students who were studying in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The activities they took part in together, including a trip to the , stood out as some of her favorite memories from her time as a Charger.

ӰԭGet involved with research or explore internship opportunities,Ӱԭ she encourages. ӰԭThe undergraduate research project I worked on with Dr. El Turkey was immensely helpful as an experiential learning opportunity. Conferences are also great for networking and for learning about current research and activities in the field.Ӱԭ

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