Jessica Cruz
Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2023
Software Engineer, Applied Research Labs, University of Texas, Austin
Jessica Cruz MPI ‘23 is a software engineer who builds internal tools to help manage administrative data for the University of Texas at Austin. The tools she builds to make life easier for the university’s administrative staff is work she can trace directly back to her time in the Bloustein School’s Master of Public Informatics (MPI) program.
“On a technical level, the MPI taught me how to manipulate data to solve problems,” Jessica said. “This became very useful for interpreting the administrative data I work with now.”
On a professional level, she noted that the Bloustein School taught her how to discuss and present data in an impactful way. “It allows me to better communicate to the administrative staff who use the tools I develop.”
She had been searching for a way to apply data science to real-world problems and struggled to find a program that combined the two. “I was interested in applying data science to real world problems and was having a hard time finding a program that did that until I came across the MPI program at Bloustein,” she said.
What stood out most, she said, was the program’s emphasis on application over theory. “We were given projects where you get hands-on experience learning how to apply data tools to real world problems,” Jessica explained. “Once I graduated, I felt like I understood how to tackle any data problem.” The school’s support for interdisciplinary study also stood out; she was able to take classes in other departments and pursue independent research as part of her degree.
That hands-on approach paid off directly in her career. “During my job interview, I showed them a dashboard I had created in the data visualization course at Bloustein.” The experience she gained as a graduate research assistant at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development writing SQL queries with big datasets also helped her land her current job.
Another defining experience at Bloustein was the community she found. “The MPI community is small, which I really liked because you all know each other and are taking classes together,” she said. She valued how connected MPI students were to Bloustein’s other master’s programs, taking courses alongside students in public policy, public health, and urban planning, and getting to know faculty and PhD students through the research centers.
She also credits MPI executive director Jim Samuel with shaping the experience: “He made sure he understood what you want out of the program and helped shape your curriculum around your interests.”
Jessica sees a wide range of paths open to MPI graduates, spanning both the public and private sectors. “I found myself interviewing with consulting firms, business and policy analyst positions, and coding positions that are focused on data. At my current job, they liked my experience with SQL, Python, and data visualizations that I learned at Bloustein. It helped me stand out.”
Jessica’s message is optimistic for prospective students. “I believe the future is applying data science to sectors outside of tech, and this program helps you understand just how to do that,” she said. “If you’re someone who loves both technical and social sciences, then this is the perfect program for you.”