MIDS Immersion Experience

The Immersion experience is an opportunity for MIDS students to meet faculty and peers in person on the UC Berkeley campus or in other locations relevant to data science. Currently offered three times a year, each three- to four-day Immersion is crafted to deliver additional learning, networking, and community-building opportunities to MIDS students.

During Immersion, students further their data science expertise and exposure to the industry culture through a full itinerary, including:

• Presentations about current data science trends by I School faculty and industry experts
• Socializing with MIDS classmates from all over the world
• Career advancement workshops
• Networking with local professionals and alumni
• Possibly attending an I School conference

Throughout the immersion, students engage with topics presented by guest speakers from companies at the forefront of the data revolution through hands-on workshops and discussions.

Past immersions have welcomed industry professionals from:

A $500 Immersion program fee is charged for in-person Immersion programs. The cost of hotel or lodging, airfare/travel to and from the Immersion program, hotel parking, and other incidentals is not covered by the MIDS program. Students are responsible for those costs, including meeting visa requirements if applicable.

The School of Information is planning to offer at least one virtual immersion option each year in 2022 and 2023, with future immersion modalities to be decided. The virtual immersion program carries a cost of $25 and typically takes place over the course of two half-days via the Zoom platform. Students for whom the in-person immersion program would present a significant hardship are welcome to attend the virtual immersion in order to fulfill the requirement.