Picture yourself at a job interview, confident and prepared. When asked about your experience, you don’t just talk about coursework; you describe how you worked in a collaborative setting to solve a complex, open-ended, data-related problem for a business or nonprofit organization, government agency, or UW–Madison professor. You explain how you applied cutting-edge data science methods to a novel challenge, showcasing your ability to tackle hard work and contribute meaningfully in a team environment.
WISCURDS offers students an opportunity to gain hands-on, high-quality data science experience that will impress future employers. Internships — an experience similar to WISCURDS — offer students a wide range of employment-related benefits:
- Higher earnings (Gault et al., 2000; Saniter & Siedler, 2014; Twang, 2022)
- Increased employer call back rates (Nunley et al., 2016)
- More prompt job offers (Gault et al., 2000)
- Higher employment rates (Saniter & Siedler, 2014, Twang, 2022)
How to Get Involved
The process for WISCURDS student researchers is designed to offer flexibility and structured support:
- Student Interest Form. The first step for students seeking to participate in WISCURDS is to click the “Join WISCURDS” button and complete the interest form. The form asks about your coursework, experience, and interests. This information will help us find the best project for you.
- Skill Assessment. Based on your current skill level you will be offered either:
- An opportunity to enroll in training opportunities supported by WISCURDS, which includes intensive learning opportunities that survey data science methods with an emphasis on the Python programming language, or…
- An opportunity to move directly into project work with one of the program’s project proposers. This second option is more suitable for junior and senior level students who have already completed 3-4 semesters of methods and programming courses.
- Placement. Based on your interests and availability, you’ll be matched with a project.
- Problem Engagement. The project proposer or faculty mentor will describe the research problem, usually through a one-to-two-page description (combined with other resources or references), and will be available for Zoom, in person, or email or phone interviews where you can ask questions.
- In the group track, students set their own meetings while planning and working together toward key milestones. Along the way, project mentors may join meetings to offer guidance, support, and direction.
- In the individual track, mentors and students will meet on a regular basis while working toward key milestones.
- Project Deliverables. Your group will share a report, including code, data, software, trained models, and any related summaries or explanations, with both WISCURDS and the project proposer.
You’ll be able to showcase your WISCURDS work in applications and interviews for jobs or graduate school. WISCURDS alumni enjoy the benefits of being part of a network of past participants. You may also earn positive professional references from project proposers, mentors, consultants, and peers. You will receive a letter of completion and participation that may serve as a reference letter in school or job applications. We will help you be the best UW-Madison graduate you can be!
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Adam Ross Nelson at wiscurds@datascience.wisc.edu .