A Place that Feels Like Home
Graduating in March 2026 with her MS in Data Science in Operations Research (formally the MS in ISyE, Analytics track), ISyE student Yazhou Li knows her hard work and the department’s guidance have prepared her for the road ahead.
Receiving her undergraduate degree in Statistics in 2024 from East China Normal University, Li was drawn to the University of Minnesota and the ISyE program.
“I wanted to change my field of study from statistics to another field. At the time, I was interning at a manufacturing company, and that is where I learned about industrial engineering. I decided that was something I wanted to pursue, so I searched for universities with the best engineering program. The University of Minnesota was on that list.”
Her search showed her that ISyE offered unique coursework and provided a workload that not only respected her time, but also enhanced her academic interests.
“The required courses seemed interesting and rigorous, but I could also choose additional courses such as computer science and business analytics to help me learn more technical skills. I also would get more hands-on experience and practical application from the courses.”
As many ISyE students come to learn, however, the department is more than its coursework.
“When I got the offer, I reached out to current PhD students to learn more about the program. They were kind and introduced to me what the department atmosphere was like. I loved it!”
She knows she is graduating with good skills in optimization and predictive analysis, as well as in the additional courses she could take because of the program flexibility. In addition, her Capstone Project has given her the opportunity to work directly with a company to gain even better hands-on experience. She explains that her Capstone company sponsor, Daikin Applied, has been incredibly supportive, and the experience has equipped her to be successful.
She also remarks that the College of Science and Engineering’s Career Services has made a tremendous impact on her time at the University.
“They help me connect with ISyE alumni who helped with revising my resume and providing other suggestions, as well as practicing interviewing skills. I have also built connections with those alumni so they can help me find additional open positions.”
She will always value the connections she has made, and exclusively thanks ISyE professors Krishnamurthy Iyer and Shancong Mou have been especially kind, supportive, responsive, and helpful in her coursework.
“They really care about my future and my success.”
As Li completes her degree, as well as her data analytics internship with Symetra Insurance, she has been actively applying and interviewing for a permanent position in data analytics in Minnesota, a place that feels like home.