Pursuing my AIM MS in Data Science Dream

Management is practiced in our country more as an art than as a science. I have always observed
that a lot of Philippine sectors still practice management and decision-making the traditional way – the
one that relies on talent, experience, intuition, “manager's figures", and basic reports. This is usually
seen when governments author poorly designed policies, or when a once-giant company sees its
downfall due to unforeseen changes in technological trends. While it is true that a manager’s talent and
experience is indispensable, implementing policies and strategies based these factors alone, especially
when wrong, prove to be costly and catastrophic. Moreover, the advent of Information Systems and
Technology transformed the business landscape to a digitally-dependent enterprise, leading to the
abundance of data. Industries and governments in our country need to realize the importance of
decision making that is not only based on talent and intuition, but also on data and scientific research.
This is where Data Science comes into place. Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that
combines statistics, mathematics, programming, problem-solving, data collection and cleansing, and
business communication used to extract insights and make sound data-driven recommendations.
The field consists in utilizing data to look deep down the surface, seek for patterns, build predictive
models, and produce actionable insights. All sorts of data – from text messages, purchases, to
customer transactions – can be processed and analyzed to extract insights that can help
organizations improve their business.
An Industrial Engineer by profession, with a lifelong affinity and passion for complex problem-
solving and teaching, I have been eyeing for a career path that will highly utilize my engineering,
problem-solving, and quantitative analysis skills. It sparked my interest in the management sciences. As
part of my commitment to nation-building, I intend to study Management Sciences and advocate its
use in Philippine corporations, industries, and national and local governments. I am strongly
interested in pursuing well-established careers in Data Science, Operations Research, Complex
Mathematical Modeling, and University Teaching.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific, where I
was a consistent Dean’s Lister and eventually awarded as Cum Laude. I am currently working as an
Enterprise Process Analyst in Smart Communications, Inc. and as a Part-time Industrial Engineering
lecturer in UA&P. A big part of my role as a Process Analyst is my involvement in Lean Six Sigma and
critical business projects. I design tactical and long-term process solutions, create process frameworks
and responsibility/accountability matrices, and assist in project mobilization and process issue
management. Specializing in Technology processes, I analyze, document, improve, and integrate
processes and ensure the Document Lifecycle policy compliance of Technology process owners. My
process analyst role requires basic knowledge in Telecom Infrastructure, System Analysis and Design, and
Telecom Business process frameworks.
On the other hand, I teach Engineering Statistics and Industrial Engineering Mathematics in
UA&P. I also assume coaching roles to winning teams in Inter-University competitions. The role gave me
an outlet to share combined corporate experience, theoretical knowledge, and teaching competencies.
 I am in search of bringing my career to the next level and believe that I am prepared to do
so. As a Process Analyst, analyzing and improving Enterprise processes – which encompasses a complex
interconnection of functions, activities, tools, and systems – hones me in recommending holistic and
sound solutions to complex business problems. My teaching role prepares me to become an effective
communicator, mentor, and people manager. Juggling these roles provides a good training ground to
hone my skillsets, broaden my experience, and share my acquired knowledge and skills to aspiring
engineers.

With my current experience, I wish to expand my knowledge of the management sciences

and turn my focus towards studying Data Science. Recently, I was admitted to the Master of Science in
Data Science program in the Asian Institute of Management. I have found the program to best suit my
career goals. My ambition to study Data Science in AIM stems from the Institution’s reputation in
producing the most sought-after executives in the Asia-Pacific region. With access to world-class
computing facility, the program aims to produce a brand of highly-impacting scientists, well-trained with
business and management principles to address highly diverse industry and research problems. A
capstone project allows students to graduate with a job-ready portfolio. Studying in a premier business
school who designed the first graduate data science degree program in the Philippines, I wish to be one
the experts in the fastest-growing, most sought-after specialization worldwide.
Upon graduation, I intend to acquire experience and build my portfolio by working on real-world
and data-driven problems in Data Science-engaged companies while pursuing further studies in
Operations Research. Once I gained enough experience, I will seek for a management or consulting role
in a Philippine company and advocate the use of Management Sciences. I will proactively promote the
use of these fields in other companies though joining campaigns and conferences that supports such
initiatives. I also want to take part in training the next generation of management scientists through
teaching and designing course curriculums that incorporate these fields.
Integral to the realization of future benefits is that managers is the need to make informed
decisions. Since the application of Data Science cuts across different industries, the future of Philippine
sectors, both private and public, must be steered towards this objective. By gaining experience,
promoting awareness and appreciation of management sciences, and equipping the youth to respond to
the increasing demand for management scientists, I believe that I could contribute to the country’s huge
step towards nation building. Being able to study Data Science in AIM addresses the next step in my
professional development. Through Data Science, I aim to be a catalyst to the success of Philippine
sectors in the future.