Alumni spotlight Chris Matthews

Chris Mathews loves “crunching numbers,” and at 50, he’s become Wake County’s first data scientist! Chris has worked for the county in information technology for more than a decade but thought the rapidly-growing field of Business Analytics might help give his career a boost. He did some research into degree programs and quickly settled on Wake Tech: “Wake Tech offered online classes that I could work into my schedule,” he says. “Plus, do the math – Wake Tech is affordable!”

Chris enrolled and found that balancing work and school was not without challenges. He worked on assignments before and after work, and joined evening study sessions with instructors and classmates. He often studied with his wife, also a Wake Tech student. “It wasn’t easy,” he says, “but I’ve learned so much, and it’s paying off in a big way!”

Chris beat out more than 80 other applicants to land his new job with Wake County! In his role as a data scientist, he’ll extract and connect conclusions from data to help county leaders address pressing problems and work toward community goals. His boss, Wake County Assistant IT Director Paula Roberson, sings his praises: “Chris has worked with businesses of all kinds across the county and has learned each one’s mission so he can better serve their data needs. His tech skills are awesome, but his approachable nature and his eagerness to help will guarantee his success in this new role!”

Chris is enjoying his new professional life, even as he finishes the last few classes that he needs to graduate. He wouldn’t have been able to tackle new workplace challenges, he says, without the education and training he’s received. “Wake Tech gave me a brand new set of skills to help me move to a new stage in my career. It’s been a wonderful experience!”

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