05/14/2026
"If I could go back to my student days, I would do everything possible to attend more conferences and put myself in the right rooms. I’d actively connect with people in the industry and wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to those ahead of me, even if it felt intimidating. I would be intentional 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩. Because it’s not just about networking, it’s about the personal growth that comes from being exposed to new people, new ideas, and new perspectives.
My education at the University of North Texas helped me build a strong foundation in both technical and functional areas. UNT trained me to think outside the box, approach problems from different angles, stay curious about learning new things, and solve challenges systematically and efficiently. That mindset is exactly what I rely on every day in AI and data projects. The technical skills I learned translated directly into my work. Courses in data science, machine learning, and research methods gave me a solid foundation that continues to support me today. Although continuous upskilling is always necessary in technology, the fundamental ability to learn new tools and techniques has consistently helped me adapt across projects — from machine learning modeling and web development to engineering Generative AI and Agentic AI systems.
UNT also exposed me to multidisciplinary teams, presentations, teaching, and collaboration with diverse groups of students and faculty. Those experiences made me comfortable communicating complex technical ideas clearly to different audiences, which is essential in consulting and leadership roles. Most importantly, UNT encouraged exploration — trying new tools, experimenting, and learning independently. That mindset has helped me stay current in fast-moving fields like AI and pivot quickly as technologies and project needs evolve. "
-Sahar, graduated in 2022 with a Ph.D. in Information Science with a Data Science Concentration
