Turning curiosity into innovation: How Dartmouth MEng-CE helped Benson Liu reinvent his career
Curiosity has always been Benson Liu’s compass. From earning global credentials to venturing into different professional fields, he approaches every challenge with a desire to learn and grow. That drive eventually led him to a place where his passions for finance, engineering, and entrepreneurship converged: Dartmouth’s online M.E. in Computer Engineering.
From the moment he discovered the Dartmouth program, Benson felt an irresistible pull. “We were the first students. It was like Forrest Gump: ‘Life is like a box of chocolates.'” I just wanted to give it a try! “ For Benson, it’s not just about getting another degree; it’s about “sparking intellectual curiosity” and building the tools to make a real-world impact.
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Born and raised in Australia, Liu Binsheng spent much of his childhood in Taiwan and Japan. He completed his undergraduate studies at Osaka University in Japan, specializing in pension finance in economics, and stayed in school to work after graduation.
Benson’s early career was deeply rooted in finance. He held M&A finance roles before completing an MSc in Financial Analysis from King’s College London, a technical degree that reflects the growing demand for quantitative skills in the finance industry. However, despite some achievements, he still felt that he faced more technical challenges. “I wanted something to help me connect my financial knowledge to something more technical,“ he explained.
This curiosity led him from finance to software engineering and eventually into data science. Over the years, he has advanced from junior data scientist to senior positions, and most recently, he started his own company to help clinics and hospitals in Japan develop smarter medical devices.
“public [medical] The industry is huge, but many run on very old systems. Some hospitals even still use fax machines! My engineering background helped, and my finance background ensured a positive ROI. This is how the different parts of my experience came together. “
Why study for another master’s degree?
Benson’s interest in Dartmouth’s master’s degree in computer engineering stemmed from his desire to explore engineering in greater depth. Some machine learning mathematics courses on Coursera had piqued his interest, and when Dartmouth College announced a new master’s program, he decided to give it a try.
Although he entered the project with some machine learning background, he was unfamiliar with many of the courses. “I was 30-40 percent sure what the program was going to be, so I said, ‘Let’s see what the other 60-70 percent is.'”
Learning without interrupting life
One of Benson’s top priorities is to continue advancing his career while learning. “I haven’t had to put my career on hold. I’ve always loved studying while working. The good thing for me is that I have a lot of freedom now, so I want to take advantage of it as much as possible.” The only adjustment was managing time zones: his first module, “Machine Learning,” with his professor’s office hours was in the early morning hours in Asia. But the program’s flexibility and the responsiveness of Dartmouth professors make it manageable. “The professors at Dartmouth are very helpful. When I email them, they usually respond within 5 to 10 minutes. “
Benson also noted the program’s growing international diversity. In his latest module, Natural Language Processing, he works with a teammate from South Korea and was recently joined by another Japanese student. “There are also students in Europe and Brazil. It’s amazing to see the global network taking shape.”
Why Dartmouth?
Benson didn’t seriously consider other plans. “In very simple terms, this is Dartmouth or Bust. But to be honest, I didn’t expect that I would be accepted. Going from Economics to Core Computer Engineering is very difficult according to UK education standards. But Dartmouth is a liberal arts school. They like to see people as a whole. So even though I didn’t have a formal STEM degree, I had STEM work experience and they liked how well-rounded I was. “
The program stands out because it blends rigorous engineering training with an appreciation for students’ broader experiences. “Not many programs offer advanced hardware degrees while also emphasizing the intersection of STEM and fields like finance. This was a perfect match for me.”
The pivot of entrepreneurship
Benson’s ultimate goal was always to start a business. When asked about his original goals for the degree, his answer was clear.
“When I was working at Coca-Cola in Japan, I was fascinated by embedded systems. Interestingly, half of Coca-Cola’s revenue came from vending machines, which were basically one big embedded system. The vending machine was no longer as simple as putting a coin in and buying a drink. It now had analytics, dynamic pricing, and automation capabilities. Going into the Dartmouth program, my expectation was to understand the hardware systems behind these.“
However, Benson has since changed his reasons for pursuing the MEng-CE. Benson got into entrepreneurship two months ago, and he credits his time in the program with giving him the motivation to eventually start one.
Benson’s new company, fueled by his newfound knowledge, develops small, innovative medical devices for the public sector. “After a year and a half, I decided I wanted to do something that would benefit society. It was a bit of a departure from my original goal, but that’s life.”
Advice for prospective students
When speaking with Benson, he really emphasized the rigor of the coursework. Reviewing calculus and linear algebra is a must, and the need for time management is critical to balancing study, work, and personal life. Benson summed up his advice in three key points:
- “This program will spark your intellectual curiosity. Be prepared to work hard and it will pay off.”
- “Once you’re in, pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your head above water and don’t overdo it. Even as an active learner, this is one of the hardest projects I’ve ever done. But if you maintain a balanced lifestyle, you can do it.”
- “Get active in the community! I attended Dartmouth events in Japan, met with alumni, and even met with the president of the university. The power of the Dartmouth network is real, even for online students.”
He also highlighted the connections he made within the program itself. “I still talk to classmates I met in my first module (Machine Learning) on a weekly basis. Even after 7 courses, we still keep in touch and keep each other going. This project is very human. We both promised to meet on campus when we graduate and I know it will be a great time. I think it is safe to say that this project has given me life-long friends.”
For Benson, the Dartmouth Online Master of Science in Computer Engineering has been more than a degree; it has been a catalyst for curiosity, growth, and real-world impact. Whether you are seeking to deepen your expertise, change careers, or launch your own business, Benson’s experience shows that Dartmouth’s MEng-CE program can help students pursue their ambitions while cultivating connections that will last a lifetime. Learn more about the program →
