Since its inception in 2018, The Data Mine has been a key player in preparing students for data-driven careers through hands-on, corporate-partnered projects. At the forefront of its newest expansion to Indianapolis is Maggie Betz, whose personal journey with data science aligns with the growth of the program itself. From being a part of a precursor statistics program at Purdue to now leading efforts at the university’s newest location, Betz is bringing her passion for experiential learning to a new city and community.

Prior to The Data Mine, Dr. Mark Daniel Ward led the Statistics Living Learning Community (STAT-LLC) which was a National Science Foundation-funded program that served 20 sophomore students per year from 2013 to 2018. Betz was a student in the STAT-LLC cohort. 

“That experience really shaped my path. I ended up focusing on statistics instead of actuarial science because of the corporate project I worked on with Dr. John Sninsky,” she reflects. Her involvement in industry-partnered research foreshadowed the model that The Data Mine uses today, pairing students with companies to tackle data challenges.

Now leading The Data Mine’s efforts in Indianapolis, Betz emphasizes the opportunities that come with the proximity to the city’s corporate partners. This provides students with opportunities to see real-world applications of their work, from analyzing manufacturing processes for Allison Transmission to developing insights for Elevance Health.

“Our focus has been on Indianapolis-based companies because of how close they are to campus. Mentors can visit students in person more often, and students can get hands-on experience by visiting company sites,” Betz explains.

The Data Mine’s Indianapolis expansion has also seen early wins, particularly with faculty engagement. “We have seven faculty members mentoring projects here,” Betz says. These collaborations enrich the student experience by blending academic guidance with industry expertise, giving students a comprehensive learning environment, she adds.

Feng Li, a Purdue Computer and Information Technology professor in Indianapolis and a faculty mentor with The Data Mine, shares this sentiment. “We’ve enjoyed working closely with industry mentors, teaching assistants, and student participants on a variety of cutting-edge projects that are tightly connected to real-world industry challenges,” says Li. “Our combined expertise has enabled us to support transformative learning experiences under The Data Mine’s innovative framework, particularly in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. This has empowered students to actively explore and engage with emerging technologies.”

One of the program’s unique advantages is the close interaction between students and corporate mentors, according to Bryce Castle, a former student with The Data Mine and current staff member. Castle says these types of relationships are invaluable to students.

“It’s like a year-long interview with companies,” says Castle. “Companies get to learn about the student, and the students get to learn about the company, all while building skills crucial for their future careers.”

For students like Quinton Pedrick, a non-traditional computer science major, the experience with The Data Mine is key to career development. “The Data Mine is less abstract than traditional coursework. Working with Delta Faucet on a data project has given me practical, hands-on experience that I can apply to future roles,” Pedrick says.

As The Data Mine continues to grow in Indianapolis, Betz and her colleagues are committed to creating more opportunities for students to engage with industry and develop the skills they need to succeed in the data-driven world.

To keep up with The Data Mine’s journey, follow them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purduedatamine