Mountains, Moguls, and Machine Learning

For Luke, life is a balance between carving down snow-covered mountains and diving deep into data.

A seasoned ski and snowboard instructor who splits his time between Aspen Snowmass in the USA and Thredbo in Australia, Luke is pursuing a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Newcastle.

“I travel the world chasing winter and teaching skiing and snowboarding,” Luke said.

“If I'm not studying, I'll be on a mountain, a beach, or somewhere else outside.”

Before diving into the world of AI, Luke completed a Bachelor of Medical Engineering and a Bachelor of Finance at the University of Newcastle.

His academic journey has been anything but conventional, shaped by a passion for adventure and a curiosity for the unknown.

“I was drawn to the Master of Data Science and AI because I wanted to study something that scares me and something that I didn't think I knew enough about,” he said.

“This program has helped me grasp how AI works and the impacts it can and will have on society.”

One of the standout features of the program for Luke has been its flexibility. With a lifestyle that spans continents, the ability to study remotely and on his own schedule has been essential.

“I like that the program has been flexible and has allowed me to study across different time zones and at night after work,” he said.

“It’s been really helpful that some of my undergraduate subjects were allowed to carry over too.”

Luke’s day job is as dynamic as his academic pursuits. From 9am to 4pm, he’s out on the slopes teaching the public how to ski and snowboard.

In Australia, he also coaches young athletes on the Australian Olympic Pathway, focusing on GS, SL, and Freestyle Moguls.

Through his studies, Luke has gained a deeper understanding of the technology shaping industries across the globe.

“The University of Newcastle has given me skills to understand the technology that is shaping both the public and private sector, which has been fantastic,” he said.

Looking ahead, Luke hopes to blend his passions into a lifestyle that offers both flexibility and fulfillment.

“I’d love to get myself into a remote or hybrid role that can allow me to work part-time and continue teaching part-time,” he said.

His advice for future students considering the program? “Go for it! It's flexible and allows you to get the best of both worlds in work and study.”

Luke Ellis

A seasoned ski and snowboard instructor who splits his time between Aspen Snowmass in the USA and Thredbo in Australia, Luke is pursuing a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Newcastle.

I like that the program has been flexible and has allowed me to study across different time zones and at night after work.