Data science major learning while doing
In the final analysis, the data confirms that Caden Freeman is at the right school on the right career path.
Freeman, a data science major at 51ยายื, spent this summer in his second work experience awash in data as he sharpens his skill set prior to projected graduation in the summer of 2026.
He served as data operations intern with PEAK Genetics in Shawano, Wis., a subsidiary of URUS, the world's largest provider of bovine genetics. Freeman earned seven academic credits this summer doing data analysis which is helping PEAK leadership make predictions about future production.
Lakeland's data science major requires a Cooperative Education experience, and Freeman added additional Co-Op credits which will go toward his bachelor's degree requirements.
It's his second professional experience focused on his major, the first coming in 2024 when he was a student at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. He spent eight months at Amcor in Oshkosh, Wis., as a business intelligence intern for the packaging solutions for consumer and healthcare products business.
Freeman's interest in data stems from his personality along with a career interest test he took while attending Pulaski High School.
"I have always been a very analytic person," said Freeman, who graduated from NWTC in 2024 with an associate degree in data analytics. "I'm observant of what is around me. I always back my decisions based on reason and research I have done.
"Data science has been a good fit for me. I enjoy it; I enjoy learning about it."
Freeman's Amcor experience was his first time working with data outside the classroom. He worked primarily with the supply chain team creating interactive dashboards, performing historical analysis and enhanced report maturity. It allowed him to experience a corporate setting, present at meetings and think on his feet to answer questions about his work.
"The data landscape there very complex," he said. "It was a lot to handle at first and I remember feeling very overwhelmed until I started to understand the business better and understand what business intelligence looks like.
"I learned to identify what stakeholders need and put myself in the shoes of the people who use those reports."
It also set him up for success for his experience at PEAK. Freeman's first job was working on a dairy farm near his hometown of tiny Krakow, Wis., and this summer has merged that experience with his academic focus.
"I've hit the ground running in this internship," Freeman said. "Because of the smaller scale, I don't feel like a small fish in large lake. I feel like I've made a difference and provided quality while leveling up my data science skills. I have opportunities to do more statistical analysis that I didn't do before.
"At Amcor I was able to get my feet wet. At PEAK I've been able to quickly integrate and apply what I know to make a difference."
As more organizations are seeking graduates who possess the skills to enhance their predictive capabilities and mitigate risks effectively, Lakeland's data science program positions students for those roles. Coursework helps students utilize data to address questions and glean insights around factors like customer behavior, predictive analytics, pricing and payment optimization, historical performance and workflow automation.
Freeman is open to additional work experiences as he moves toward graduation, especially a role that would more heavily leans into data science rather than analytics.
"Data science sounds more interesting to me, especially with the growth of AI," he said. "Why not level up to data science to apply what I have learned in my analytics roles. I'll have a better skill set, the pay is a bit better and the work is more interesting."
Regional employers take note: Freeman hopes to land a post-graduation role close to home.
"With time and experience and exposure to different roles, I will be happy to get hands-on experience wherever I can," Freeman said. "I'll continue to build my skill set and portfolio so I am a lucrative candidate no matter where I apply."
