Looking back, Xavier Alleyne admits he’s always been a “data nerd.” He just took a while to own it and turn that predilection into a career. Growing up, he thrived at arguing his opinions on topics like sports, always supporting his viewpoints with numbers and data.
Alleyne earned his master’s in data science and analytics from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business in August 2025. He enrolled in the program in August 2024 after spending a couple years as a product support representative at software company FIS. The job introduced him to database management tools like SQL and gave him some professional clarity.
“I did some research, and was like, ‘I think I want to pivot. I don't want to do this,’” Alleyne said.
The College Park native earned a B.B.A. in finance from Robinson in May 2022, so staying in Atlanta at his alma mater for graduate school made sense. Alleyne hunkered down to complete the program as quickly as possible while remaining employed full-time at FIS. Through his coursework, Alleyne developed a deeper understanding of programming languages including SQL and Python, explored high-level statistics, and studied the foundations of data science.
“Coming into the program, I didn’t fully understand what data science was. Now I have a good grasp on it,” he said. “I also have new skills in critical thinking, strategizing, and positioning products.”
Those lessons crystallized when Alleyne created a customizable meal-planning chatbot for a class project. In addition to building the chatbot, he devised a business plan to present to potential stakeholders.
“It wasn't just a backend, tech-heavy project,” he said. “If you're going to make a product, you have to be able to convince people to buy into it.”
Alleyne intended to find a new job after graduation, but an opportunity came up during his second semester. He landed a role as ecommerce data analyst at The Home Depot in April 2025.
“If I hadn’t been in the middle of the master’s program, I don't think I would have been considered for the position,” he said.
Using data-backed recommendations, Alleyne guided the business strategy for a brand sold within Home Depot stores. He realized how much he had learned about the front end of data science and analytics when he found and reported an inconsistency in the brand’s product returns data.
“I gave a presentation on why the data was wrong and how to capture the correct data through a workaround,” he said.
In addition to a master’s degree, Alleyne earned a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Business Innovation*; the coursework was baked into the curriculum.
“If you aren’t a computer science person or have prior experience with data, some of the classes are going to feel a little high level,” he said. “But it came together for me because I took the foundational classes that taught me how AI came about.”
Less than two months ago, Alleyne accepted a data analyst position at Atlanta-based Safe-Guard, an administrator of finance, insurance, and other vehicle protection products for automotive, RV, motorcycle, and related industries. Since the job involves less interaction with clients, he gets in the weeds with data reconciliation by cross-referencing numbers and making sure everything looks right.
Alleyne feels like his career is still just getting started. So far, each new position is a better fit and helps him decide whether to lean more into data scientist roles or move on to the data engineering side. Either way, his master’s in data science and analytics has given him the foundation he needs.
*This certificate is now called the Graduate Certificate in Generative AI and Machine Learning for Business.