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Miyoko Shimura is a mother, mentor, and data engineer in Japan. She is also a WorldQuant University student.

Her learning experience in the Master of Science in Financial Engineering program has helped her transition from mechanical engineering to data science. She now leverages advanced optimization to enhance production engineering at HORIBA, a Japanese manufacturing and technology company that specializes in precision measurement, analysis, and testing instruments.

“From mechanical engineering to data science, I continue to grow as both an engineer and a mother,” she says.

When Miyoko started the free, online, accredited program at WQU, she was living in the United Kingdom as part of an expatriate family with two elementary school-aged children. She often studied in the predawn hours before her children woke up.

“This is one of the greatest advantages of online degree programs,” she writes on LinkedIn. “Education can be accessible and happen anywhere, even from a kitchen.”

Her background in mechanical engineering gave her a firm grasp on problem-solving, critical thinking, and mathematical reasoning, but she struggled initially with unfamiliar financial concepts.

“Reading academic papers and research articles was overwhelming at first,” she says. “So, I spent a lot of time looking up definitions, breaking down concepts, and trying to grasp the underlying theories.”

Miyoko says the structure of the WQU program made the process easier.

“At WQU I found that the learning material in the first course appears to be deliberately written in clear and straightforward English to break down complex concepts and build a solid foundation for quantitative analysis, which can later be applied to programming and AI,” she says.

During the two-year program, Miyoko will complete nine foundational courses and a capstone project that will bring everything together. She recommends the program for anyone interested in quantitative finance.

“If you’re inspired to take the next step in your education, explore the Master of Science in Financial Engineering at WorldQuant University,” she says. “This program offers a unique opportunity to build expertise in quantitative finance, completely tuition-free.”