Summary

I'm excited to build a career in ML and Data Engineering, integrating my M.Eng. in AI at Duke with a decade of software experience. I've learned how to architect systems and find the best technology depending on the application. By having this balance, I ensure things remain simple, yet purpose-built and effective given the use case.

This mindset translates to data engineering for me. Having a deep understanding of the data needed and analyzing data that already exists is paramount to success. My strong foundation and attention to detail leads to effective model building, critical analysis throughout the entire process, and successful deployments.

Education

M.Eng. in Artificial Intelligence

August 2025 to Present at Duke University, Durham, NC

B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems

August 2021 to May 2025 at West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

Honors & Awards

  • Beta Gamma Sigma
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon
  • Buffteks Leadership Award
  • 2025 Carey Lyles Emerging Technology Award

GPA: 3.94 / 4.00

West Texas A&M University is ABET and AACSB accredited.

AACSB is the highest standard of accreditation for business schools. Fewer than 40 business schools are both ABET and AACSB accredited.

Professional Experience

Process Optimization Developer

February 2024 to Present at Education Credit Union, Amarillo, TX

  • Worked on building performance reporting tools with Python and pandas to support branch operations.
  • Helped integrate internal databases with an external analytics platform, enabling smoother data sharing for business teams.
  • Built automation workflows with APIs in C# to reduce repetitive tasks.
  • Contributed to designing a distributed reporting system using C#, MongoDB, and SvelteKit for better reliability.
  • Supported the migration of internal development to GitHub, introducing version control and CI/CD practices.

Student Worker & Tutor

August 2021 to May 2025 at West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

  • Helped maintain and support a fleet of gaming computers to keep them running smoothly.
  • Provided technical support and backup solutions for a local bowling center.
  • Provided peer tutoring in data analytics, helping classmates strengthen their understanding of key concepts.

Website Designer

Summer 2022 at Mission 2540, Amarillo, TX

  • Redesigned website, enhancing usability and integrating a donation system to boost fundraising.
  • Developed a polished prototype praised for its clarity and impact as part of a business proposal.

Webmaster

April 2016 to May 2019 at Winds Across the Bay, El Cerrito, CA

  • Built and maintained a website to share information with members and the community.
  • Helped manage social media accounts and create posts for outreach.
  • Designed fliers and other promotional materials for events and activities.
  • Set up and supported a hosting solution for organizational resources.

Extracurriculars and Volunteer Experience

Buffteks Guest Lecturer

November 2024 at West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

  • Delivered a guest lecture on Linux security fundamentals while emphasizing practical, modern tools.
  • Showcased Caddy webserver its features and ease of use, reducing learning curve for developers.

Intern

January 2018 to March 2020 at The Center for Independent Living, Alameda, CA

  • Helped run a technology support service for seniors with disabilities.
  • Researched and recommended assistive technology tools to support accessibility needs.

Teacher Assistant

May 2019 to August 2019 at Albany Senior Center, Albany, CA

  • Directed a support class for seniors, fostering the use of digital technology.
  • Reprovisioned non-functional computers at an organization, supporting accessibility for seniors.

Certifications

Skills

Software Engineering

  • Python
  • Java
  • C#
  • JavaScript
  • HTML / CSS
  • SQL (MySQL / MariaDB)
  • MongoDB
  • Redis
  • React
  • Svelte
  • Tailwind CSS
  • ASP.NET Core
  • Docker
  • Git / GitHub
  • GitHub Actions
  • Jenkins CI/CD
  • Agile
  • SCRUM
  • LEAN

Data & Machine Learning

  • pandas
  • NumPy
  • scikit-learn
  • PyTorch
  • Matplotlib
  • Seaborn
  • Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
  • Feature Engineering
  • Model Development & Evaluation
  • Data Visualization
  • ETL Pipelines
  • Time Series Data

Infrastructure

  • AWS
  • Ubuntu / Debian
  • Windows Server
  • Hetzner Cloud
  • Active Directory / Entra ID
  • Okta / Auth0
  • FusionAuth
  • Group Policy Management
  • Duo MFA

Copyright © 2025 Sam Packer.