When Tyler Aguilar left the U.S. Marine Corps, he knew two things for sure: he loved solving hard problems and he wanted his work to matter.
Today, Tyler is a data scientist with Leidos, contracting at NASA’s Life Sciences Data Archive—a role that brings together his military background, love of problem-solving, and the data science skills he honed in Rice University’s Online Master of Data Science (MDS) program. Aguilar’s success is the result of strategic self-investment, often starting with a calculated risk. As he puts it:
Every time I’ve bet on myself, I’ve won.
His journey—from military linguist to NASA data professional—shows how a rigorous education can amplify ambitious personal drive. Here are the career and academic turning points that defined his success.
From Cryptologic Linguist to Data Science: Finding Passion in the Pivot to Code
Aguilar began his career path in South Texas, where he initially enrolled in college as a vocal performance major. Seeking a greater challenge and a clear long-term direction, he left school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a cryptologic linguist.
After five years of service, he used his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Augusta University. While contracting for the Defense Department as a linguist, he began working with advanced tools, particularly Python, that dramatically improved how his team processed complex information. He realized he no longer wanted to be merely a user of these intelligent systems; he wanted to be among the people who built them.
Although he initially took a role as a software engineer, he soon discovered that his true passion lay in the data itself—structuring it, analyzing it, and turning it into actionable insight, rather than focusing on front-end web development. A final undergraduate capstone project heavily focused on data cemented his decision to pivot fully into data science.
Choosing the Right Path: Why Rice’s Flexible Online Master of Data Science Program Was Key
The decision to enroll in the Rice Online Masters of Data Science program came after a bold move to Houston. Aguilar and his wife, also a veteran, relocated to the Houston area, seeing the regional opportunities for engineering and space-related work.
For Aguilar, choosing Rice was strategic, addressing his key needs:
- Rigor: He wanted an online degree program known for its academic excellence.
- Flexibility: He needed the flexibility of online learning to manage family life and job searching.
- Veteran Support: Crucially, as a veteran, he leveraged the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program for financial support.
Rigor and Reward: How Rice’s Online Courses Prepare Students for NASA-Level Work
The online courses immediately confirmed Rice’s reputation for academic excellence. Aguilar attests that the program provided unexpected depth and challenge:
The online courses provided some of the most challenging work that I have done in academics... My undergrad and other graduate degrees do not compare in difficulty.
The intensive training provided hard skills used daily, including Python (Pandas, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn) and SQL. Professors emphasized showing the thought process, demanding meticulous explanation of solutions and code. This focus on fundamentals and methodological clarity proved vital.
The Hybrid Advantage of the Online Master's Program
Aguilar leveraged the hybrid structure to gain the best of both worlds:
- Flexibility to balance family life and rigorous study.
- On-Campus Resources by taking classes at the Jones Graduate School of Business, and
- Utilizing Student Support Services like the Center for Career Development.
Data Visualization Course Translated Directly to Industry
His favorite course, data visualization, reinforced how to communicate complex results effectively:
It was the one that had the most interesting and immediately rewarding assignments and projects because you would see a data file turn into a skull, a foot, or the Grand Canyon.
This skill translates directly to his professional work, where he must present technical findings to non-expert scientists.
From Academia to Aerospace: How Rice’s Program Accelerated a NASA Career
The value of combining academic rigor with career preparedness quickly paid off. A recruiter found Aguilar on LinkedIn, noting that he was in the Houston area and actively studying data science at Rice. That outreach led to an eight-week NASA internship that stretched into a year—and eventually to his role with Leidos.
Today, as a data scientist with Leidos supporting NASA’s Life Sciences Data Archive, Aguilar tackles mission-critical work related to human health in spaceflight.
Mission-Critical Work: Data Science at NASA
Aguilar's role showcases the real-world application of the Online Master of Data Science skills:
- He works with decades of life sciences data from spaceflight and ground analog studies.
- His primary task is modernizing older datasets into tidy, machine-readable formats.
- This work enables NASA researchers to use the data in today’s complex analyses, directly supporting human spaceflight missions.
This quick transition demonstrates the strong career-readiness built into the Rice University online programs.
The Ultimate ROI: Confidence, Competency, and Full Potential
The photo below shows a young Aguilar dozing at a computer desk—a quiet moment that captures something deeper. Even then, his fascination with technology was already taking shape. It’s more than a nostalgic image; it’s a glimpse of early curiosity that would one day fuel a career in data science. Years later, it was the rigor and structure of the Rice Online Master of Data Science program that helped transform that early spark into lasting confidence. That same kid from South Texas now contributes to spaceflight research at NASA, backed by the skills and belief he gained through Rice.
Aguilar’s personal achievement is a powerful affirmation of the confidence instilled by the Online Master of Data Science program:
This little boy from South Texas is now a data scientist at NASA ... because of this program.
Aguilar advises that the true return on investment (ROI) isn't just the online degree itself; it’s the sense of earned competency and self-belief that results from tackling a challenge like the Rice University online programs:
The skills that I've gained in the online program really just leave no room for anything like imposter syndrome.
For career changers, military veterans, and working professionals considering this path, Aguilar’s story reinforces a critical truth: the challenge of the program is the value. Successfully completing the rigorous coursework transforms professional identity.
Because of this program, I am now closer to my full potential.
Consider the Rice Online Masters of Data Science Degree
For prospective graduate students ready to commit the time and effort, online graduate degrees at Rice offer a powerful way to continue learning at a high level while staying rooted in the people and responsibilities that matter most. If you’re considering an online graduate program at Rice, you can explore current offerings and learn more aboutvwhat to expect at Rice Online Learning. Enrollment coaches can help you think through which courses fit your goals and your schedule – Schedule your appointment today and let us help you launch your career