Message From Leadership

Brian Maeng, Program Director

Hello, everyone. Fall quarter 2021 is moving fast, and Thanksgiving and holidays are just around the corner. As the Master of Science in Data Science program manager, I want to share some essential tips regarding professional development with students interested in data science. 

First, I recommend students become familiar with a cloud computing environment and capable of training machine learning models. Major players such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offer various services and industry certifications associated with data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. They include AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty, Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate, and Machine Learning Engineer Professional Certificate. As some companies provide free online training, you can develop your skills conveniently during your program. If you are interested in Azure certificates, please check out Microsoft Virtual Training Days (link), a list of free virtual synchronous training workshops that give vouchers for exams. 

Second, I recommend students participate in Kaggle, an online community for data scientists and machine learning professionals. You can find datasets on various and trending topics, review codes by other participants, practice your data science and machine learning skills, and engage with other practitioners. There are also many competitions targeting various levels of data science and machine learning practitioners. In Summer 2021, STC Data Science Club students participated in the Kaggle competition and shared their learning experience in Thursday Byte in September 2021. If you want to participate in Kaggle with other CityU students, you should consider joining STC Data Science Club. There are weekly meetings and other notable upcoming events for the student. 

Third, I recommend students start their capstone projects early in the program. Our alumni often shared that their capstone projects were at the center of conversation during the job interview. Students who start a capstone project in the final quarter may get a diploma but not necessarily a quality project outcome. Therefore, students should invest at least two quarters on the capstone project, and if possible, from their first quarter of study. Here is another related suggestion – make the best use of team project assignments in each course. By carefully selecting team project topics that align with your passion and interest, you will have completed numerous related project topics, building a great asset before the capstone project. Please also consider presenting your findings from time to time and get feedback from the Student Clubs and Research Groups Weekly Meeting (Thursdays at 4 PM PDT). It will provide you with an opportunity to hone your presentation skills and enrich the audience with new ideas. 

I hope the message provides you with some insights regarding your professional development during your program at CityU. I wish you safe and best in the remainder of the quarter. Thanks. 

Club Announcements

  • Cybersecurity Club

Cybersecurity Club will be meeting this week at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. We will be covering certifications and reviewing the recent NCL exercise. It’s helpful to learn as much as possible about certifications as they are crucial to obtaining employment in the cyber security field. See you soon! Click here to join.

  • Data Science Club

Would you like to learn more about the fundamental Data Science concepts? Would you like to gain experience working with real-world applications of machine learning? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Data Science Club would love to have you! Please fill out the application form here. We will be holding weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 4pm PST. Please join us via the Teams link here.

If you’re interested in presenting at the Data Science Club’s research symposium during week 10, please contact Amanda Vaughan (vaughanamanda@cityuniversity.edu) or Catherine Ata (atacatherine@cityuniversity.edu). All Data Science topics and skill levels are welcome! The symposium will be held during the normal club meeting time at 4pm on Wednesday.

  • STC Tech Club
Feel free to register and join the Invited Talk TOMORROW!!!
Invited Talk – “How I landed an offer at AWS” 
Event Date: Thursday, November 18th 
Event Time: 4:00 PM PDT
SpeakerApiwat Chuaphan – AWS Associate Cloud App Developer
Event Description: After graduating with M.S. in Computer Science from CityU, Apiwat recently accepted an offer from AWS to work as an Associate Cloud App Developer.
Come join the talk to learn the tips, tricks, and lessons from Apiwat’s experience.
Join the event livestream HERE!!!

Upcoming Events

CAE Tech Talk

Securing Cyber-Physical Systems by Platform Reboot (1:00 – 1:50 pm EST)

Practical adversarial attack against speech recognition Platforms (2:00 – 2:50 pm EST)

Mark your calendars and come join your friends in the CAE community for a Tech Talk. CAE Tech Talks are free and conducted live in real-time over the Internet so no travel is required. Capitol Technology University (CTU) hosts the presentations using Zoom which employs slides, VOIP, and chat for live interaction. Just log in as “Guest” and enjoy the presentation(s).

For more information and to join:

  • Securing Cyber-Physical Systems by Platform Reboot – click here
  • Practical adversarial attack against speech recognition Platforms – click here

Mountain West Cyber Challenge

Join us for the MOUNTAIN WEST CYBER CHALLENGE! December 4 from 9AM – 3PM Mountain Time.

Deadline to register is Friday 19 November!  Teams will be using the Deloitte platform! 

Register here 


Are you interested in advancing your knowledge of cybersecurity and networking with leading industry professionals? 

Cybersecurity demands a global perspective to understand future needs. City University of Seattle would like to invite you to join us for a free webinar on the in-demand field of cybersecurity on Wednesday, December 8th at 9:00 a.m. PT. We are pleased to welcome global technology leader and CityU alumna, Monique Morrow, who will lead a keynote speech and Q&A session on current issues of cybersecurity and developing diverse talent. The discussion will be followed by an interactive session of breakouts. The featured breakout topics include: 

  • Experiential Learning 
  • Retention DEI 
  • Recruitment DEI 
  • Workforce Development/Upskilling 
  • Privacy Issues 
  • Data Leakage 

In addition to being an accomplished tech leader, Monique is a tireless advocate for women in technology and engineering. Presently, Monique is Senior Distinguished Architect Emerging Technologies at Syniverse, providing thought leadership and strategic direction and vision for the company’s identified emerging technologies. Additionally, she is President and Co-Founder of The Humanized Internet, a non-profit organization focused on providing digital identity for those individuals most underserved, and most importantly, the need to control our identities. 

Monique will be joining us virtually from Switzerland. Please click here to register today or visit www.CityU.edu/Morrow to learn more. 

**Please join us Wednesday, December 8th from 9:00 am – 10:30 am PT.** 

CityU is recognized as a Top 10 educator of adults nationwide, providing over 60 degree and certificate programs designed for busy working professionals like you. 


Human Centered Artificial Intelligence Research Group – First Meeting 

Interested in Artificial Intelligence and current applications? Interested in finding out where AI is heading with blockchain and quantum computing? How AI algorithms currently in use make decisions without human intervention? Are you interested in business applications and ethical issues such as trustworthiness?  Can AI make the world a better place?  How can you help make a difference? The CityU Human Centered AI Research Group will hold a meeting on Tues. Nov 30, 2021, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, for anyone interested in AI. Here is the link to the TEAMS meeting. If you want more information, email Dr. Radana Dvorak;  dvorakradana@cityu.edu 

Career Tips

Share Your Job Search Goal Broadly! – Job Search QuickTip #7

Write out your job search goals ahead and then communicate them. Why are your career goals your best kept secret?

Welcome to a video series of helpful job search tips to help you succeed in the most competitive job environment ever. For college grads to senior executives.

Watch here 

This Week in Tech History

Computer Mouse Patented

computer_mouse_patentNovember 17, 1970

On Nov 17, 1970, Douglas Engelbart’s “X-Y Position Indicator For a Display System,” known as the computer mouse, received the US patent 3,541,541. The cord reminded Engelbart of a mouse tail which is where the term mouse came. The prototype was developed in 1964, demoed in 1968 but not included in a commercial computer until 1981 with the Xerox 8010 Star Information System. Apple popularized the device by bringing it to a personal computer with the Lisa in 1983.

Tech Humor