Ben Burch ’06 inspires with data science lecture, career panel, and campus hackathon
Carthage College recently welcomed back Ben Burch ’06, a mathematics and physics alumnus turned professional data scientist, for a day of events focused on data science for students across disciplines.
From an engaging guest lecture to a hands-on hackathon, Mr. Burch’s visit offered something for everyone — whether they were curious about careers, eager to learn new skills, or simply inspired by the storytelling potential of data.
Turning complex analyses into actionable stories
Mr. Burch began the day with a guest lecture in Professor Sara Jensen’s Mathematics of Data Science class. His talk, titled “Turning Complex Analyses into Actionable Stories,” explored the psychology and principles behind effective data visualization, highlighting how even small design changes can dramatically improve communication and impact. By blending theory with real-world Python-based examples, Mr. Burch demonstrated how scientists and analysts can move beyond charts and dashboards to tell stories that resonate.
Lunch and Learn: Landing a job in data science
Over pizza, attendees engaged in a candid conversation about careers in data science. Mr. Burch offered detailed insights into how to position a resume and approach an interview to stand out in the data science job market, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, project-based experience, and tailoring applications to specific roles. He also spoke about what employers look for beyond technical skills — including curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Mr. Burch spoke directly to the skills a liberal arts graduate brings to the job market and just how valuable those skills are! One key piece of advice: when you identify a weakness, don’t shy away from it — instead, describe your plan for bringing yourself up to speed and demonstrate your commitment to learning. Students left with practical advice — and plenty of inspiration — for how to prepare for and pursue data-related careers after college.
Telling Carthage’s data story: A campus hackathon
The visit concluded with an afternoon hackathon, “Tell Me a Carthage (Data) Story!” — a creative and low-stress competition in which students explored real Carthage data to uncover meaningful trends, patterns, and insights. Participants worked solo or in teams, supported by Mr. Burch and Prof. Jensen throughout the afternoon. Three groups completed projects, each taking a unique approach to the data. One team focused on missing data, examining the dataset through a quality lens. A second student explored admissions patterns, overall completion rates, and outcomes for transfer students. A third student analyzed trends in SAT and ACT averages over time for Carthage admits. All students left winners!
A day of inspiration and impact
Mr. Burch’s visit was a powerful learning experience — offering both motivation and practical insight for current students. Across every session, he emphasized not only the technical aspects of data science but also the human side of the field. His return to campus served as a meaningful reminder of the strength of a Carthage education and the many ways alumni continue to give back.