Jelena Milosevic, Sr. Data Scientist, Yokoy

In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Jelena Milosevic, Sr. Data Scientist for Yokoy in Zurich (CH). USI Degree: PhD in Informatics, 2017.

Short About Me:

I am a results-oriented data scientist with over 12 years of experience in both academic and industrial settings, where I have architected and deployed AI-driven solutions to solve complex, real-world challenges. I have a proven track record of working side-by-side with cross-functional teams and strategic customers to develop innovative, machine learningbased solutions that drive significant business impact. I have expertise with a variety of machine learning methods and different deep learning methodologies, including AI agents, multimodal LLMs, LLMs, and vision models. My work has been deployed in multiple contexts, ranging from embedded systems to mobile and cloud platforms, and is utilized across numerous countries worldwide.

I obtained my PhD in 2017 from Faculty of Informatics, USI-Lugano, Switzerland, where my main focus was on the runtime detection of malware for resource-constrained systems using efficient, machinelearning-based methods and secure design of embedded systems.

What is your current role/duties?

In my current role as a Senior Data Scientist, I focus on building and deploying machine learning solutions in the areas of information extraction and document understanding, with the goal of simplifying complex business processes. I actively stay up to date with the latest trends in the field, exploring new research and testing their practical value through proof-of-concept projects applied to real-world challenges.

My responsibilities span the full machine learning lifecycle—from translating business needs into technical requirements, to data analysis, feature engineering, model development, and collaborating with ML engineers to deploy models into production. I also take part in the ongoing evaluation and maintenance of deployed models, regularly reviewing performance and addressing potential weaknesses to ensure continuous improvement.

What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?

Five years of life and work at USI were great experience for me. During my time at the university, several things stood out as especially meaningful. The high-quality professors not only brought deep expertise but also created valuable opportunities to grow both technically and personally. I was fortunate to be part of a vibrant international community, where collaboration with knowledgeable and driven peers enriched my learning experience every day.

Beyond academics, the great weather and the charm of the city added a special atmosphere to daily life. Finally, small moments—like enjoying a cappuccino on a bench in front of the university—made the experience feel not just educational, but also memorable and fun.

What competences and/or skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

The most useful I find gained technical skills related to programming, knowledge of machine learning and algorithms. Furthermore, soft skills such as communication and presentation skills have been useful.

Finally, working both independently and as a part of an international community has been beneficial for me.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

My advice to students entering the job market is to always go in the direction of the profession/job they like and feel excited about, because that will give them the necessary energy to spend enough time in understanding and mastering the content they are dealing with and to stay motivated while things are difficult and obstacles to pass seem unbearable. Furthermore, it is important to go deep into details of what they are doing and, at the same time, stay informed, open and flexible once possibilities of trying something new arise.

Finally, the most important is to always keep learning, practicing, and improving skills.