Gap Year Turns Into Academic Boon

It was during her undergraduate studies in chemical engineering that Seohyun Hwang decided it was time for a change of scenery.

Traveling to the United States, Seohyun was determined to enjoy life in California—specifically the Bay Area—while taking a gap year in her studies.

While the beautiful scenery, boundless cuisine options and the lull that comes from rest and relaxation are hard to ignore, Seohyun still felt the tug of academia. Interested in gaining new skills, she began her search for a structured curriculum that would complement and, eventually, enhance her graduate-school application. So it’s no surprise that she landed on our data analysis program.

Seohyun recently shared her experience in our program and how it has helped her gain admission into her Ph.D. program in chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

In her own words:

On Studying Data Analysis:

I became interested in data analysis because, as a future scientist, I realized that experiments often generate a huge amount of data. To effectively communicate my research findings, I felt it was crucial to organize and visualize that data clearly. I saw data analysis tools as the key to presenting my work in a compelling way to others.

My reasons for choosing the program are closely tied to my passion for data analysis. I wanted to learn the technical skills necessary to handle and interpret large datasets, which would eventually help me in my academic and professional pursuits. This program has helped me bridge the gap between raw data and meaningful insights. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience, and I’m grateful for the skills I gained.

Additionally, I was drawn to this program because it is offered by UC Berkeley, a university renowned for its excellence and reputation. Knowing that this certificate is offered through UC Berkeley Extension gave me even more confidence in the quality of education I would receive. The school’s prestige and credibility made this program an easy choice for me.

This program has helped me bridge the gap between raw data and meaningful insights.

On Interacting With Instructors:

One thing that really stood out to me was the enthusiasm of the instructors. They were always passionate about the subject matter and very patient when answering students’ questions.

I also noticed a key cultural difference compared to my experience in Korea: The relationship between students and instructors here felt much less formal and more approachable, which I really appreciated. I developed such a close connection with one of my instructors that they even told me to reach out anytime I needed a recommendation letter, which truly showed how supportive they are. It meant a lot to me that the instructor offered, and it highlighted the strong, supportive relationships I was able to build during the program.

I took all of the classes online because this was during the pandemic. It was a great experience! The flexibility to attend classes from anywhere was the biggest advantage for me. Even when I was traveling, I could still participate in classes without any interruptions. This convenience made it much easier to stay consistent with my learning while balancing other aspects of my life.

I believe this certificate strengthened my academic profile and demonstrated my commitment to furthering my knowledge in data analysis.

On Relaying Coursework to Earning Her Degree:

I applied what I learned, particularly in Excel and Python, to my undergraduate coursework. Learning how to create tables and write code helped me tremendously in organizing data and completing assignments more efficiently.

Earning this certificate means a lot to me both personally and professionally. It gave me the technical skills and confidence I needed to handle and analyze complex datasets. These skills not only helped me excel in my undergraduate studies, but also played a role in my acceptance to the Ph.D. program. I believe this certificate strengthened my academic profile and demonstrated my commitment to furthering my knowledge in data analysis.

Actively engage with the instructors and fellow students. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

On Pearls of Wisdom to Future Students:

My advice would be to study hard and stay consistent with the coursework. It’s important to stay on top of your assignments and make sure you fully understand the material.

Actively engage with the instructors and fellow students. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. They’re there to help, and it can make the learning experience much more enjoyable and effective.

If you’re taking classes online, create a dedicated study schedule to stay organized.

On Future Goals:

I hope to be working as a researcher or professor, using my expertise in data analysis and chemical engineering to solve real-world problems. Whether in academia or industry, I aim to contribute meaningfully to advancements in my field.

I’d like to emphasize how much this program has helped me bridge the gap between raw data and meaningful insights. It’s been an incredibly valuable experience, and I’m grateful for the skills I gained.