Customizing a Career: Taking Data Science to the Open Seas
Bo Dwyer came to the College of Charleston to follow his passions for data science and sailing. Keeping his eyes on the prize, now he's leaving the College with a job as a data engineer for Freeman Boatworks.
When looking at universities, Bo Dwyer ’26 wanted a small college with a tight-knit community feel where he could combine his passion for data science and his love of sailing. The College of Charleston proved to be a perfect fit.
With a solid foundation as a sailor, Dwyer enjoyed his time on the varsity sailing team and as a sailing instructor. He developed a winning mindset through sailing and learned how to applied that mindset to all aspects of life. That’s what helped his team win multiple offshore championships, including the Shields Trophy in 2024 and 2025, the LA Harbor Cup in 2026, the 2025 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, the 2025 Callisto Cup and back-to-back champions of the Kennedy Cup in 2024 and 2025.
As an Honors College Charleston Fellow, Dwyer took Honors Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community with Lancie Affonso ’96 (M.S. ’08), Honors College faculty fellow, E-LLC director and senior instructor of computer science, management and marketing.
“Professor Affonso had us write down our ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal,’ or BHAG, and base our actions at CofC to align with getting closer to that goal,” says Dwyer, who enjoyed how the class focused on soft skills you don’t get in a normal class. “My BHAG was to have a career that combines my skills in data science with my passion for boating.”
Building the Foundation
As a data science major and applied AI minor, Dwyer began to build a foundation in his field of study. One class that stands out is Principles of AI with Anurag Tiwari, computer science instructor.
“Professor Tiwari’s course was the first course that really used AI and applied it in a way that felt advanced,” says the recipient of Lucian W. and Peter G. Pinckney Endowed Memorial Scholarship. “He showed a lot of different things we could do with AI, like teach AI to solve a constantly changing maze. It was my first exposure to modern techniques.”
Keeping his BHAG in mind, Dwyer participated in competitions including the Big Data Science competition, a fast-paced environment where he honed his data science techniques, and the SC Innovates Statewide Pitch Competition.
He took full advantage of internship opportunities. He first interned with the College’s Office of Enrollment Information, where he scaled up high-school data collection points by building a multi-threaded Python application.
At the same time, Dwyer took Coursera micro-credentials classes on AI and became the E-LLC’s first Coursera Ambassador. As an ambassador, he spread awareness among students, faculty, staff and alumni about the advantages of taking the free micro-credentials.
“I helped students identify and choose what micro-credentials would benefit them most based on their needs,” explains Dwyer, who took 23 micro-credentials while at the College.
“Bo pursues and shares knowledge through study, inquiry and creation in order to empower the individual and enrich society,” says Affonso. “He impressed me as someone who pursues knowledge as a lifelong learner.”
An Encouraging Example
Dwyer also served as a mentor for Affonso’s Storytelling in the Age of AI course.
“Bo stood out as a great listener and deep thinker,” says Affonso. “He’s the human in the loop who understands how to intentionally use AI and speaks from a place of reflection. He’s someone who passes his interdisciplinary knowledge on – that is where the magic happens.”
One of Dwyer’s mentees is Taylor Johnson, an Honors College computer information systems major, who will assume Dwyer’s role as mentor in Affonso’s class.
“Bo is very insightful, and he shared extra steps that proved advantageous, such as posting on LinkedIn about what you learned through your Coursera certification,” says Johnson. “He also gave great advice when practicing pitches. His feedback would always go a step beyond surface-level thinking.”
It was through the LinkedIn tip he shared with Johnson that Dwyer landed another internship. An analyst at Maxwood Furniture on Daniel Island asked AI to find strong candidates for an internship, and Dwyer’s LinkedIn profile came out on top. At Maxwood, using his data science and AI experience, Dwyer streamlined business processes and real-time data accessibility.
“I have always been nervous about finding a job after graduation, but Bo showed how going the extra mile can make a difference,” says Johnson. “Seeing where his hard work has taken him encourages me to keep doing things the right way.”
Dwyer’s penultimate project was his bachelor’s essay on generative AI engineering. He detailed how to give AI access to the data it requires to meet the end user’s needs and how understanding the structure of generative AI allows users to leverage large language model strengths more effectively.
A Full-Circle Moment
In spring 2026, Dwyer had the opportunity to intern at Freeman Boatworks, where he combined his passion for data science and boating. His BHAG became a reality when Freeman Boatworks offered him a full-time position as a data engineer. In his role, he will be using AI to make data more accessible throughout the management production process of building custom boats.
“This is a dream come true,” says Dwyer. “It has been a really cool full-circle moment to look back and see how CofC shaped me to be ready for this position.”
