Shingai Nindi, ’24

What drew you to the Georgetown MS Data Science and Analytics program?

I first visited Washington, D.C. because I had family living in Maryland, and during that trip, I completely fell in love with the city. My uncle, Michael Pesi, showed me around Georgetown, told me about its history and traditions, and, of course, what it meant to be a Hoya. That was really my first introduction to Georgetown and the prestige and community surrounding it.

At the same time, during my senior year of undergrad, I took a few courses in data science and analytics and became fascinated by the possibilities. I already had a background in computer science and loved coding, but data science showed me how I could pair that technical knowledge with an understanding of people and real-world problems and actually generate meaningful results. Georgetown allowed me to bring those interests together.

What was the best career advice you received while in the DSAN program?

Articulation is just as important as your work, and sometimes, it may be even more important.

You can produce the greatest model or analysis in the world, but if you can’t explain what you’ve found, why it matters, and what someone should do with it, its impact becomes limited. That means practicing presentations, speaking to people, and learning how to communicate with confidence. That confidence comes from practice, so don’t take those skills lightly simply because they aren’t “coding.”

Sometimes, as technical people, we forget that almost everything we build is ultimately for a stakeholder, and that stakeholder is a person before anything else. Learning how to help people understand your work may be one of the most important skills you develop.

Which DSAN course(s) have informed your post-grad career the most?

DSAN 5700 – Blockchain Technologies.

I’ve ended up working on quite a few projects involving blockchain technology since graduating, so having that foundation has been incredibly useful. The field moves ridiculously fast, and no single course can prepare you for everything you’ll encounter, but DSAN 5700 gave me the underlying knowledge I needed to adapt, keep learning, and understand new developments as they came.

Do you have any advice for our current students?

Network. Network. Network.

Regardless of your end goal, whether you’re looking for a job, pursuing research, or trying to start a business, you are going to be dealing with people. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to put a face next to your name.

Networking can get your foot in the door; your knowledge, work ethic, and qualifications can seal the deal. But in my experience, without that networking and human connection, your grades and qualifications can only take you so far.

And networking doesn’t have to mean walking around asking people for jobs. Talk to people. Be curious about what they’re doing. Build genuine relationships. You never know which conversation might lead somewhere, or whose life you might be able to positively impact.

Best DSAN memory in or outside the classroom?

The social mixers! I think we’re beginning to see a common theme here.

I actually wish I’d attended more of them. I made a good number of friends during the program, but I was often so focused on being “productive” that I sometimes forgot there was tremendous value in simply interacting with people, learning from my classmates, and enjoying the journey we were all on together.

I attended a couple of the mixers and had such a great time. I bonded with classmates with whom I eventually ended up working on group projects, got to know the faculty and staff better, and just became much more comfortable within the program.

Looking back, those experiences taught me that productivity isn’t always sitting behind a computer getting work done. Sometimes the conversation you’re having at a mixer is just as valuable. So yes, I would 100% recommend going to them—and probably more than twice!

What was your favorite part of working for the Georgetown women’s soccer team as a Data Analyst?

Picking just one thing feels a little harsh!

I’d probably say the combination of gaining real-world experience and the relationships I built with the coaching staff. Dave, Naomi, Cam, and TJ were incredibly welcoming and, beyond being great coaches, were genuinely amazing human beings.

The experience also taught me something important about data science: the numbers are only useful if they help someone make a better decision. Working with coaches meant taking technical analysis and translating it into something practical and actionable in a competitive environment. That experience has stayed with me well beyond soccer.

I’d absolutely encourage DSAN students interested in sports analytics to pursue opportunities like this. Reach out to the staff, or even reach out to me, and I’d be more than happy to make an introduction!

You grew up across several different continents. How did that experience shape your education and your career aspirations?

This is a big one for me.

Growing up across different continents allowed me to experience and appreciate a multitude of cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. One of the biggest things that taught me was respect. I learned pretty early that someone—or something—being different from you isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it can be the exact opposite.

Being exposed to so many different perspectives taught me to try to understand where other people are coming from and, just as importantly, to challenge my own assumptions and dogma. I truly thank God for this.

It also had a huge influence on my career aspirations. When I was younger, I had a much narrower picture of what my future might look like: maybe I’d become an engineer, a pilot, or, ideally, a professional soccer player! Moving between different environments exposed me to possibilities I didn’t even know existed.

It taught me that it’s okay to change direction. Sometimes the best opportunity for you is one you never even knew was an option. Because of that, I’ve tried to remain open to new experiences, new industries, and even entirely new versions of what my career could look like.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

Teleportation, easily. I’d be able to visit my family whenever I wanted, experience different cultures around the world, casually teleport to Europe for a REAL football match, and still make it home in time for dinner. I really don’t see a downside here, haha!