Kristen Mori

Machine Learning Engineer

Houston Astros

"I was definitely worried that my employers were expecting something different of me than what they were getting. I would say tell students that employers know what they're doing when they make their hiring decisions, and that they have absolutely earned what they have achieved. Purdue does a great job of preparing you for the future, so put your trust in them."

What was your major/minor at Purdue and when did you graduate?

I graduated with a double-major in Mathematical Statistics and Computer Science. I also had a minor in Spanish.

What was your most compelling class and why?

My introduction to Machine Learning course was fascinating. It was very clear how applicable the content was to all fields, and it really made me want to dive deeper into the subject.

What drove you to pursue your current career path?

I've always loved sports and math, and when I was a senior in high school, I discovered the budding field of sports analytics and instantly fell in love. It was the marriage of two of my favorite things, and it felt like it was made for me.

Did you pursue internships/co-ops, research experiences, volunteer, or join student organizations while you attended Purdue?

I had a data analysis internship at Nielsen, and I did research through the Sophomore Statistics Living-Learning Community. I was in the Honors College as well as the Learning Beyond the Classroom program. I founded and was president of the Sports Analytics at Purdue student organization, and I was a tutor for the Purdue student-athletes. Through LBC grants I was able to attend conferences that were relevant to my career, and during every single interview, I was asked about the student organization. I think it helped prove to employers how passionate I was about the subject.

Are there any special accomplishments you've achieved after college that you might not have been able to do without your college experiences?

I think my hire is an accomplishment in itself that I could not have achieved without my experiences at Purdue. The sports industry is extremely competitive, but I was able to seek out opportunities that would better prepare me to stand out against other applicants.

What advice would you give to prospective or current Purdue students about how to make the best use of what Purdue offers?

I would say that experience is just as important as GPA. Do not forgo the student organization, conference, etc. It can be tough to find a balance between the two, but if you find one or two extracurricular things you're very passionate about, it's very doable.