Explore CU Denver's Data Science Degree Program
Meet Philip Candleana— a transfer student who traded the fast-paced world of retail for the dynamic, data-driven classrooms of CU Denver's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Originally from the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, Philip was looking for something different when he came to Colorado. "I needed a change of pace," he said. "I like the climate, the people- it just fits."
Little did he know, that move would ignite a new chapter filled with purpose, passion, and powerful data.
Discovering Data-and CU Denver
Philip's journey into data science didn't start in a lab or lecture hall. It began on the sales floor.
Working in retail operations gave him a first-hand look at how data was transforming everyday decisions. From inventory systems to customer trends, data was everywhere. "I got to work with a supervised machine learning model in retail- an automatic ordering tool," he recalled. "It was powerful. That's when I knew I needed to be on the data side of things."
When he started exploring degree programs, Philip wasn't just looking for a major-he was looking for meaning. He considered statistics and math, but it wasn't until he found CU Denver's Data Science program that everything clicked.
"It had everything I was looking for- math, programming in Python and R, business applications," he said.
"I didn't want to patch things together. This program checked every box."
Why Data Science? Why Now?
If you're wondering why Data Science is such a big deal, you're not alone.
In simple terms, data science is the art and science of using numbers to understand the world. From climate change to consumer behavior, data tells a story-and data scientists are the storytellers.
Philip breaks it down: "All data does is describe the world. If it's accurate, we can clean it, visualize it, and learn from it. Whether it's analytics or machine learning, it helps us solve real problems-without as much human error."
And the field is booming. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in data science will grow much faster than average over the next decade. That means high demand, competitive salaries, and opportunities across industries-from healthcare and finance to entertainment and sustainability.
What makes CU Denver's program different? It blends deep technical skills with real-world applications. Students like Philip aren't just crunching numbers-they're building portfolios, collaborating on projects, and getting job-ready. "The projects simulate what I'd be doing in the workplace," Philip said. "Plus, I get to add them to my GitHub, which helps with job offers."
What's Next for Philip?
Philip's goal is to become a full-stack data scientist-someone who can do it all: clean data, model it, interpret results, and drive business decisions.
"I would feel very empowered in that space and feel like I'm making a difference. I think that that's where I want to be. And there's a few steps along the way, but I'm willing to do them to get there."
He's already on his way. Having transferred in with some math and elective credits, Philip has about a year left before graduation. But the real work has already started. Every class, every project is a step closer to making an impact.
Meet Your Moment: Philip's Top Data Science Success Tips
Philip didn't sugarcoat it-data science is rigorous. But for those willing to dive in, the rewards are worth it. Here are his best tips for anyone curious about starting their own data science journey:
- Understand the Math Behind the Methods
"You don't have to be a math wizard, but you do need to understand what your tools are doing. Know why you normalize data or why bigger datasets give you clearer insights." - Learn to Ask the Right Questions
"It's not just about tools-it's about knowing what outcome you're aiming for, and how to use the data to get there." - Be Comfortable With Discomfort
"Probability was the hardest for me. It's not intuitive, and that's okay. The world doesn't always make sense to humans, but data can help explain it. - Build for the Real World
"The CU Denver program sets you up with projects that matter. Use them to build your portfolio and get job-ready." - Stay Curious
"If you love understanding the world and helping others make sense of it, data science is the way to go."