An understanding of data science and its applications are key to managing a technology team, according to Jack Yang, who took a sabbatical from his job as a managing director at J.P. Morgan to enroll in the M.S. in Data Science program at Columbia University.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Tsinghua University, a master’s degree in computational finance from Carnegie Mellon University, a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Virginia, and two decades as a leader in financial modeling, Yang was driven back to school by a desire to remain at the forefront of his field. 

“We’re at the stage of information society that we need to keep up with changes or we’ll be dinosaurs,” he said. “I want to make myself ready in this new environment, to make sure that this kind of technology can be utilized in a good and meaningful way.” 

For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is making a significant impact on financial methods. Initially, Yang wasn’t certain how artificial intelligence and traditional methods could comingle. “Would AI take over? I found my answer in the first few weeks at Columbia—both approaches can work in harmony. In fact, they have to work together.” 

Reflecting on the benefits of returning to student life, Yang, a self-professed lifelong learner, is interested in not only the newest technologies and techniques, but also in the why. He found self-directed learning insufficient because he prefers real-time feedback; access to faculty, thought leaders, and a community of student peers; and discussions in the classroom or during office hours.

Yang discovered his ideal mix at Columbia. “[The M.S. in Data Science] program provides the business part and the theory part,” he said. “Columbia offers you everything you need. If you have a love for learning, it’s the perfect soil for you.”

Yang also found that his career trajectory and previous education help him immensely in his data science coursework. “I have the depth and experience to connect what we’re learning to reality and the real world. People with experience know how to connect the dots,” he added.

And he connects dots beyond business and finance.

His wife’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year also inspired Yang to consider how he could contribute to advancing cancer research while matriculating at Columbia. He reached out to several professors to see if his background could be helpful, found a match, and now volunteers for a cancer research project through the Irving Cancer Research Center.

“It’s a lot of work and it can be tiring, but it’s also extremely rewarding,” Yang said. “I couldn’t be happier thinking about how my work can help others.”

— Karina Alexanyan, Ph.D.