Tressa Smith’s journey into Truman State University’s Data Science and Analytic Storytelling program is a tale of timing, dedication, and the pursuit of a well-rounded education.

Having earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Truman with minors in Statistical Methods and Applied Statistics, Tressa initially sought a master’s in Data Science. However, at that time, Truman didn’t offer the program. A twist of fate occurred when a certificate program emerged. Despite being accepted, the demands of motherhood and a full-time job prompted Tressa to postpone her enrollment until her youngest entered kindergarten.

As fate would have it, Truman expanded the program into a full master’s degree just as Tressa’s youngest started kindergarten. The alignment of timing and the program’s growth felt like destiny. Familiar faces among the faculty, including her capstone advisor, added a comforting layer to the decision.

Tressa’s professional journey, spanning over 15 years in the insurance industry, provided a robust background in data and statistics. The program’s relevance to her role as a business strategy analyst was evident, with principles applied in real-time during the courses. Tressa’s passion for data visualization and storytelling found a perfect match in the courses on Principles of Data Visualization and Narrative/Rhetoric.

While the degree contributes official expertise to her wealth of experience, Tressa acknowledges the opportunities it opens within her current workplace. The added value from the Analytic Storytelling component surprised her, aligning seamlessly with Truman’s liberal arts reputation.

Tressa believes Truman’s Data Science and Analytic Storytelling program is an excellent choice for anyone considering Data Science. The flexibility of the online format, coupled with engaging weekly meetings and discussion boards, made it feasible for Tressa, a mother of three with a full-time job.

As Tressa continues her journey post-graduation, she plans to update her weather-related dashboard project and explore avenues to share her insights with organizations like Climate KC and the City of Kansas City. Visit her Missouri Precipitation Amounts and Collection to see how long it would take to fill a rain barrel with water from your roof.