Jackson Yap

Master of Science in Information Studies, 2026

Assistant Strategy Manager, Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore, Singapore

Coming from a background in digital marketing, I had experience in campaign management and business strategy, but wanted to strengthen my technical capabilities in programming and data analytics. I pursued the Master of Science in Information Studies (IS), specialising in Information Analytics, to go beyond simply using digital tools and better understand how technology and data can support business decisions.

One of my most memorable experiences was the Text and Web Mining module, which introduced me to machine learning and deepened my understanding of AI. Before taking the module, I had largely approached AI as a user. Learning how machine learning models are developed and exploring concepts such as deep learning helped me understand what happens behind the interface, beyond simply using tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.

What I valued most about IS was how it complemented my existing professional experience. My business and marketing background gave me an understanding of commercial challenges, while the programme equipped me with the technical knowledge to approach these challenges from a different perspective. I became better able to assess how data could be analysed and where machine learning could offer practical solutions.

Since completing IS, I have expanded my work beyond traditional marketing to include projects related to digital transformation. Combining my business and marketing experience with stronger capabilities in analytics and AI has allowed me to take on new challenges and contribute beyond my original area of expertise.