From Teaching to Data Science: Rachel Schoenberg's Story

Meet Rachel Schoenberg, a master’s student in the Master of Science in Data Science – Align program. A native of Topsham, Maine, she was working as an elementary school teacher in Massachusetts when she started using classroom data to create reports. Colleagues quickly found out, and before she knew it, Schoenberg was creating school and district-level reports – and enjoying it!  

She was researching opportunities to develop these skills further when she heard about Northeastern University’s Roux Institute from her father. She was balancing three jobs at the time and the prospect of a higher paying career was intriguing. Schoenberg moved back to Maine with the intention of enrolling in graduate school.  

Keep reading to learn about her experience at the Roux, the community she’s built, and the internship that’s enabling her to apply what she’s learning in real time.  

Q: Choosing to go to grad school is a big decision! What led you to choose the Roux? 

A: I knew I wanted to do something with data, but wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. Attending an on-campus event gave me the opportunity to connect with current students. I struck up a conversation with Harshil Bhojwani, a student ambassador, and was telling him about my interest in the Data Science – Align program. He introduced me to Nelson Farrell, a Roux student in that program. Nelson took the time to help me understand what the program was really like. He even helped me map out what living in Portland could look like and helped me land a job! 

Q: You’re in a degree program that was designed for students who don’t have a technical background. What advice would you give someone considering a similar choice? 

A: For me, grad school was a huge transition from my undergrad experience – you’re spending more time on your own learning. It’s a lot of work, especially as you get your feet underneath you. But I already feel like I’ve grown as a human being and am so incredibly grateful I took the leap! 

Q: You’re currently doing an internship with Drip Labs. How did you land that opportunity? 

A: I work part-time at LB Kitchen, an amazing café just a few minutes away from the Roux. I first met Frank Chen, the founder of Drip Labs, a portfolio company at the Roux Institute, when he came into the café. He shared details about his app, and I knew I wanted to get involved. 

Drip Labs is developing the Punch Club app, a service industry membership card designed to help service workers earn incentives and rewards. I manage community and marketing initiatives for the company, including running their social media channels. You can check out what we’re doing here! 

Having worked in the service industry for over a decade, this opportunity felt like a perfect fit. The Roux’s strong connections to local startups and small business owners made this possible, allowing me to land this role in just my second semester. Working with Drip Labs lets me apply what I’m learning in class to real-world scenarios. Everything I’m doing with Frank aligns with my coursework and where I want to be by the end of my time at the Roux. 

Q: It sounds like you’re juggling a lot! How has getting involved on campus shaped your time at the Roux? 

A: Joining the Roux choir, which was founded by Professor Dan Koloski, was a great experience. That led to an opportunity to sing at the groundbreaking [for the Roux’s permanent campus]. I was able to meet David Roux and Greg Powell [CEO and President of the Harold Alfond Foundation], shake their hands, and thank them for this opportunity. In just my second semester, I’ve made connections with people I care about tremendously – everything just kind of unfolds when you’re on the right path!