A Passion for Problem Solving
By: Maisie O'Brien
Before arriving at Tufts, Confidence Oguebu worked as a relationship manager in a bank in Nigeria and juggled many responsibilities: attracting new clients, fostering strong customer relationships, analyzing financial operations, and forecasting market trends.
“I loved sharing my predictions with leadership,” Oguebu said. “My data analytics projects were a highlight of my job. I was fascinated by how data can be used to uncover patterns and drive decision making.”
To deepen her analytics skills, Oguebu took online courses in Python, Stata, and SPSS, and eventually decided to pursue a master’s degree in data analytics. “I’ve always been a problem solver,” she says. “Numbers are my passion. I studied math in college and tutored my classmates in numerical analysis and differential equations. If you find math interesting, you never want to let it go.”
At Tufts, Oguebu studied data analytics with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. She appreciated the program’s flexibility and the opportunity to tailor her coursework to her interests. “It was a well-rounded experience,” she says. “I learned how to work with data, extract insights, create compelling visuals, and communicate findings effectively.”
She especially enjoyed courses taught by Professor of the Practice of Data Analytics Shuo Zhang and Professor of Economics Jeffrey Zabel. As a teaching assistant, she supported students in the courses “Communication with Data” with Professor Alice Mello and “Python and Machine Learning” with Lecturer Nirav Shah.
“I had incredibly supportive professors,” she says. “I’m an inquisitive student –I ask a lot of questions– and they always offered thoughtful guidance. I couldn’t pick a favorite; they were all amazing.”
One of her most memorable projects was a collaboration with Associate Professor of Classical Studies Marie-Claire Beaulieu to digitize a glossary of ancient Greek birds using coding and AI tools. The project bridged classical studies and ornithology, exploring how birds were perceived in Greek mythology. “It opened my eyes to how data analysis can be applied in unexpected and meaningful ways,” she says.
Oguebu interned at Boston Area Research Institute at Northeastern University, where she assisted in developing an AI tool to help non-English-speaking immigrants craft accurate, effective resumes. She also led a survey on AI ethics, analyzed the results, and co-authored policy recommendations that she and her collaborators presented at Boston City Hall.
In another significant project, she and a classmate built a real-time image recognition model that could detect personal protective equipment–such as face masks and shields–with 96% accuracy.
Beyond the classroom, Oguebu found a vibrant, supportive community at Tufts. “I had a great relationship with my classmates,” she says. “Many of us were international students, and we brought diverse perspectives to our discussions and group projects. It made the learning experience richer.”
As she looks ahead, Oguebu is eager to return to the business world and apply her advanced knowledge of data analytics, machine learning, and AI to drive innovation and growth. “It’s incredible what you can do with data in your hands,” she says. “I want to work for a company where I can make a meaningful impact.”
She’s also excited to return home to Nigeria and reunite with her family, whom she calls her greatest inspiration. A devoted animal lover and avid baker, she plans to adopt a dog and spend more time making pastries.