Building Success with Data: How Clay Finn MI’25 Applies Information Science to Commercial Construction
After discovering a passion for programming and data science as a Master of Information student, Clay Finn MI'25 now uses analytics and problem-solving skills to improve operations, drive business growth, and help shape the future of his family's commercial construction company in California.
What led you to choose SC&I for your graduate studies?
I chose Rutgers primarily because of the flexibility the program offered. I completed the program fully online, but the flexibility I was really excited about was the option for a variety of different concentrations. I wasn’t 100% sure of which concentration I wanted to pursue at the beginning of the program and having so many options available excited me about the possibilities. The course offerings encouraged me to explore different options and find the areas I was best suited for.
What is your academic background and how did you discover your interest in the data science concentration?
I’m from Orange County, California, and grew up working with my father on construction projects, rebuilding cars, and snowboarding. As I went to college, I became fascinated with philosophy, particularly as it relates to politics and race. I pursued an AA in Philosophy, an undergraduate degree in Ethnic Studies, and ultimately completed a master’s in American Studies with a focus on 20th-century Black History. I then went on to pursue a Ph.D. in History at the University of Pittsburgh. I quickly realized that I was more interested in hands-on work experience versus academic research and decided to leave Pitt and go to work for my father’s construction company. I gained a lot of experience applying my adolescent construction practices to much larger commercial projects and learning the ins and outs of project management, construction finance, and general business skills. I grew to really enjoy the complexity of project management and the tangible rewards of constructing buildings.
I entered the MI program with the intention of pursuing Archives and Preservation as a continuation of my history background. After my first semester, however, I realized how valuable information science and technology skills could be in a business setting and how much I enjoyed the problem-solving and analytical aspects of programming and data science. I changed my concentration to Data Science and began expanding my knowledge of programming, business analytics, and the application of data-driven insights to business functions and efficiency.
For fun, I was also able to apply some of my historical background to data science projects. For example, I completed a digital mapping project of sports statues across the United States using data from my wife’s dissertation to create an interactive web-based map programmed with Python and JavaScript. Data science allowed me to explore a variety of methods that would be useful for personal projects, my job in commercial construction, and more.
What SC&I courses and faculty members had the greatest impact on your academic and professional development?
Assistant Teaching Professor Suchinthi Fernando was one of the most helpful and impactful professors I had. She was wonderful in helping with advising and directing me toward a path that would be beneficial for my career and well-suited to my interests. I am grateful for her consistent support and wisdom.
Another professor that had a great impact on me was Associate Teaching Professor Anselm Spoerri. His courses on information visualization and web programming were the most challenging courses I took and the ones from which I learned the most.
I strengthened my programming skills and explored potential career avenues. His guidance in and out of the classroom helped me really figure out what I enjoyed about data science and how to put it into practice. He was more than willing to answer questions about career choices, personal programming projects, and more.
How are you applying what you learned at SC&I in your current role, and what are your future goals?
I am currently the operations manager at Finn Construction and Development Inc. in Costa Mesa, California. I have been with my father's commercial general contracting company for the past 10 years, and what began as a temporary job while I was in school has grown into a fulfilling career. I’ve grown to really enjoy both the human and technical aspects of helping run a business.
My current role focuses on improving business efficiency and financial performance through analytics and data-driven solutions. I apply my data science knowledge every day by producing financial reports, forecasting business performance, and delivering insights that help guide decision-making and support the company's continued growth.
I’m consistently learning more and more about what it takes to run a successful business and how to be a better manager. I look forward to continuing to grow in this role and potentially even taking over the company from my father someday.
What advice do you have for current and/or prospective SC&I students?
My biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind. I entered the program expecting one experience and concentration, and that changed as soon as I started taking classes. By remaining open to new opportunities, I discovered a field that I really enjoy and developed technical skills that have tangible effects on a business.
For current students, I would encourage them to make the most of each learning experience. Professors can be great for this—they are often a wealth of knowledge and can really help with coursework as well as things outside the classroom. But in addition to this, students can make the most of their experiences simply by focusing on getting a takeaway from each assignment. Too often, as students, we go through the motions to complete a requirement or degree without engaging with the material in a way that can have a substantial impact on one’s learning. Adjusting one’s mindset towards truly learning from each assignment or course can help improve the overall experience.
Learn more about the Master of Information at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information.
Photo: Courtesy of Clay Finn
