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https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-zawada-375555260/
Explore my WPI student voices page!
https://www.wpi.edu/student_experience/community/voices/will-z
wzawada@wpi.edu
wzawada@wpi.edu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: Lancaster, Massachusetts
Class of 2026
Data Science Major, Math & Spanish Minors
I love WPI for so many reasons: the flexibility with course requirements, the variety of concentrations within my major, the people, and the sense of community and belonging here is amazing! But as a prospective student, what really drew me to commit to WPI, was its core of project-based learning. I love project-based learning because it allows you to go in-depth, research, and explore "why" and "how" complex concepts work. It's interesting to see how they connect directly to applications in the real-world, especially with math. It's incredible to witness the process, the thinking, and the collaboration that goes behind it! In Data Science, I've had numerous projects here ranging from linear programming, prescriptive analytics, through learning how to program in JavaScript, Java, and C++, and as well as exploring calculus, linear algebra, and statistical applications! One of the core things that amaze me about this community is that you are ALWAYS meeting people through forming connections with other students and faculty. Especially with hands-on research or even through the projects we offer here, for example, the IQP, MQP, or even ones through our other courses here!
If you have any questions about the WPI experience, my involvements, and the Data Science or math programs, or even just want to chat, reach out to me! I love answering your questions! You can reach me by my email or LinkedIn profile.
Involvements on Campus:
Crimson Key Tour Guide
As part of Crimson Key, I give tours throughout the year to prospective students and their families. Throughout each tour, I'll take questions about WPI and will reflect on my own WPI experience. I love this program so much because I've met a ton of amazing people (who are all featured on this website)! My favorite part of the year is when we're all together giving tours on accepted students day!
Community Advisor
As a Community Advisor, I primarily guide first-year students through navigating their transition to college via the WPI experience! I helped co-host and lead a lot of fun activities and games (primarily through NSO), host events, and also do individual check-ins with first-year students on their floor throughout their first semester!
Data Science Club
In Data Science Club, we offer a wide range of networking events, where we often learn about different career paths for a Data Scientist within the industry, and also host fun social events e.g. a Halloween party, game nights, and making gingerbread houses. For example, we recently had a talk given by a few AI entrepreneurs about how they founded each of their AI companies, and what Data Science skills they use from day-to-day through their careers!
Mathematics Club - PR Chair
In Math Club, I help others while collaborating on math problems. We also play logic games, bond over rectangular graphs, and occasionally give lectures on new math concepts never before seen! Occasionally, surprise guests also pop in from the math department! In an executive role, I've helped make and run a couple of meetings, and also help manage the Instagram page as the PR Chair.
Running Club
In Running Club, my primary goal as a runner is to build-up stamina, and in running, club, we run approximately 2-4 miles a day. It's amazing being able to meet and talk with new people, and to explore Worcester as we ran longer distances! We also have Fun Friday events where we sprint to get Ice Cream, Runs-giving, and sometimes even a hot chocolate social and it's great for meeting/socializing with people!
Pi Mu Epsilon
Pi Mu Epsilon is our national mathematics honor society on campus, established in in 1914 with chapters established within 371 institutions across the US. This honors society is dedicated to the promotion and recognition of students who have demonstrated exceptional mathematical understanding throughout their coursework. Throughout the year, we host leadership and networking opportunities, as well as math talks from members!
Data Science Major
Data Science Major
A prescriptive analytics problem in Excel, looking at cost constraints using Linear Programming.
Working with expected and observed data in statistics.
What I enjoy about being a Data Science major is that it is one of our most interdisciplinary majors here on campus! You can opt to do either a math, business, AI, or a computer science concentration within the major. In fact, you don't even need to concentrate in one distinct area and can try them all, which allows for a lot of robust exploration within the major! There is also a three-course Data Science sequence, which dabbles in areas like statistics, computer programming, data analytics, machine learning, and deep learning, to teach you for all of the essential skills you will need as a Data Scientist, and in general within the industry. I recently swapped from being a math major, so my primary focus with this major was a math concentration. I took a lot math courses as disciplinary electives such as our Calculus sequence, Ordinary Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Linear Programming, and Statistics. I've also taken some related Business and Computer Science courses within Industrial Engineering involving Prescriptive Analytics, and Algorithms!
Also, the data science department does a lot of networking and social events, which are often co-led by the undergraduate Data Science club, along with our graduate DS council. It's a lot of fun because through our social events, you can meet other people and faculty members within the major, and form connections with people in the DS/AI industry within networking events. Everyone with the DS department has been very supportive and helpful with my transition into the major, after 2 years of attempting a math degree.
Math Minor
Math Minor
It's amazing being a Math minor here! The math department offers a wide variety of different courses every year, which provides a lot of interesting options! Generally, you start off by taking a few introductory courses, for example, the calculus sequence, statistics, discrete math, etc. which allows you to explore many different concentrations of math. For my minor, I've focused within applied mathematics with courses such as Vector and Tensor calculus, along with some I'm double-counting toward the DS major, though I know other people who decide to focus the major in other areas such as probability or abstract proof-based math.
Spanish Minor
Spanish Minor
I started learning Spanish as a second language throughout Junior High and High School. Initially, I was able to pick up basic phrases and sentences through having conversations, but that was about it. Coming into WPI, I only knew the basics, but I didn't want all of this learning to go to waste. I wanted to learn how to expand Spanish grammar and vocabulary so that I could eventually reach the level where I can speak, read, and interpret the language fluently. At first, it was my goal to complete my humanities requirement for my major through taking Spanish classes here, but I found that I needed more. By completing this minor, I hope to learn even more about Spanish cultures and ultimately learn to speak fluently in Spanish so I can interact with people in Spanish.
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