How a Mathematics Teacher Transitioned Into Data Analysis

Yelena Kurasheva has always believed that numbers tell a story. With a master’s degree in mathematics and applied mathematics from Novosibirsk State University (Russia) and years of experience teaching students, Yelena built her career around helping others understand the logic and beauty behind equations. But over time, her curiosity began to expand beyond the classroom.

She felt a strong desire to explore new applications of her skills and to engage with real-world challenges in a more dynamic way. That curiosity ultimately led her to a new field: data analysis.

I believe data analysis is very helpful in making good decisions in many areas. I think working with data and its analysis also connects many of my professional interests.

A Natural Evolution From Mathematics to Data

Yelena’s transition into data analysis wasn’t a departure from her past; it was a natural extension of it. Her strong analytical background, paired with a growing interest in global issues, pointed her toward a field where data could drive meaningful decisions.

“On the one hand, I enjoy teaching mathematics, but I'm always eager to learn something new,” she explains. “Beyond mathematics, I'm also interested in new discoveries in medicine. In recent years, I've also become interested in the impact of politics on people's lives.”

What drew her in most was data’s ability to connect these diverse interests and create impact.

“I believe data analysis is very helpful in making good decisions in many areas,” Yelena explains. “I think working with data and its analysis also connects many of my professional interests.”

For Yelena, data analysis represented more than just a career shift. It was an opportunity to contribute to fields that improve lives.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to work in any field that helps people live better, get more education and be healthier,” she shares.

Choosing Us to Build a New Foundation

When it came time to take the next step, Yelena was intentional about where she would study. She discovered our certificate through a personal connection and was immediately drawn to its reputation and practical approach.

“I learned about the UC Berkeley Extension program from someone who had completed their studies there themselves,” she says. “I wanted to master the fundamental theory and acquire practical skills in this field.”

Our Professional Program in Data Analysis offers exactly that, combining foundational knowledge with applied learning in areas like SQL, data visualization and analytics tools that are in demand across industries.

As she progressed through the certificate, Yelena found herself immersed in a learning environment that was both challenging and highly supportive.

“The curriculum for all the courses I attended was rich, enlightening and highly informative,” she recalls.

Learning online, Yelena found meaningful opportunities to connect with peers and instructors.

“The learning process incorporated opportunities for interaction with fellow students through discussions,” she explains. “Discussion topics were proposed by the instructors in the form of questions related to the material covered in the current lecture.

“My interactions with the instructors was excellent,” Yelena continues. “They were highly supportive and responded promptly to my questions. I am deeply grateful and appreciative to the lecturers for their instruction and very organized courses.”

I believe that data analysis is a promising field as it enables the use of tools that assist people in making the right decisions or generating forecasts based on previously collected data.

Flexibility That Fits Real Life

Like many of our students, Yelena balanced her studies with professional responsibilities. While completing the program, she worked part time as a private mathematics tutor, a role that required both time management and discipline.

The flexibility of online learning made all the difference.

“Studying online was more convenient,” Yelena adds, “as I could choose a schedule that suited me.”

Today, Yelena is actively preparing for her future in data analysis, applying what she learned in the program to sharpen her technical skills and deepen her expertise.

She continues to utilize and expand her toolkit in key areas of the field. “I practice SQL extensively and continue to hone my skills with various visualization tools,” Yelena describes.

Her understanding of data’s potential has only grown stronger.

“I believe that data analysis is a promising field as it enables the use of tools that assist people in making the right decisions or generating forecasts based on previously collected data,” she muses.

She is especially drawn to the transformative nature of data—how it can translate complex numbers into meaningful insights. “The diverse array of these tools allows for comparisons, data visualization and the transformation of quantitative values into qualitative ones. All these aspects spark my interest in this field,” Yelena adds.

Professionally, the certificate strengthens my qualifications, expands my expertise and opens up new opportunities for working in a field that is new to me.

A Milestone Achievement

Earning her certificate marked a significant turning point.

"Personally, earning the certificate gives me a sense of accomplishment and validates the effort I’ve put into developing my skills,” Yelena shares.

It also opened doors to new possibilities.

“Professionally, this strengthens my qualifications, expands my expertise and opens up new opportunities for working in a field that is new to me.”

For those considering a similar path, Yelena offers thoughtful and practical advice, especially for anyone hesitant about stepping into a new field.

“Don’t be afraid to choose this field to study. When selecting a program, pay attention to the course levels,” she advises, noting how this helped her map out her learning journey effectively.

As she looks to the future, Yelena has a clear vision for where she wants to go and the impact she hopes to make. “I hope to be deeply involved in data analysis, dashboard creation and, possibly, database development,” she says.

Her dream role reflects both her analytical strengths and her ambition to build meaningful systems.

“One of my dream jobs would be transferring data from an operational environment into a data warehouse, as well as building the data warehouse itself,” Yelena describes. “A place where clean, structured historical data is fully ready for analysis.”