Curiosity has always been Benson Liu’s compass. From earning global credentials to navigating diverse 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 Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering.
From the moment he discovered Dartmouth’s program, Benson felt an irresistible pull. “We’re the first batch of students. It’s like Forrest Gump’s: ‘life is like a box of chocolates.’ I just had to give it a try!” For Benson, it wasn’t just about earning another degree; it was about “scratching that intellectual curiosity” and building the tools to make a real-world impact.
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Born and raised in Australia, Benson Liu also spent much of his childhood in Taiwan and Japan. He completed his undergraduate studies at Osaka University in Japan, specializing in pension finance within economics and stayed on to work there after graduation.
Benson’s early career was firmly rooted in finance. He held M&A finance positions and later earned a master’s degree in finance analytics from King’s College London, a technical degree that reflected the growing demand for quantitative skills in the financial industry. Yet despite his achievements, he felt drawn toward more technical challenges. “I wanted something to help me bridge my finance knowledge with something more technical,” he explains.
This curiosity led him from finance to software engineering and eventually into data science. Over the years, he progressed from junior data scientist to senior roles, and most recently, he took the leap to start his own company, helping clinics and hospitals in Japan develop smarter medical devices.
“The public [medical] sector is huge, but many operate on very old systems. Some hospitals even still use fax machines! My engineering background helps, and my finance background ensures a positive ROI. That’s how the different parts of my experience come together.”
Why another master’s degree?
Benson’s interest in Dartmouth’s MEng in Computer Engineering stemmed from his desire to explore engineering more deeply. A few Coursera courses in mathematics for machine learning had already sparked his interest, and when Dartmouth announced its new master’s program, he decided to give it a try.
Although he entered the program with some background in machine learning, he was unfamiliar with many of the courses. “I was like 30–40% sure of what the program had, so I said, ‘let’s see what the other 60–70% is about.’”
Learning without pausing life
One of Benson’s priorities was to continue advancing his career while studying. “I didn’t have to put my career on hold. I’ve always liked to study while I work. The good thing about me is I have a lot of freedom right now, so I wanted to use it as best as possible.” The only adjustment was managing time zones: his first module, Machine Learning, had office hours with professors held at times that were early in the morning for him in Asia. But the program’s flexibility and the responsiveness of Dartmouth professors made it manageable. “The professors at Dartmouth are very accommodating. When I email them, they usually respond in 5-10 minutes.”
Benson has also noticed the increasing international diversity of the program. In his latest module, Natural Language Processing, he is working alongside a teammate from Korea, with another Japanese student recently joining. “There are also students in Europe and Brazil. It’s amazing to see the global network forming.”
Why Dartmouth?
Benson didn’t seriously consider other programs. “It was Dartmouth or bust, in very simple terms. But honestly, I didn’t think I’d get accepted. Based on the UK’s education standards, it’s very hard to go from economics to hardcore computer engineering. But Dartmouth is a liberal arts-heavy institution. They like to look at people holistically. So even though I don’t have a formal STEM degree, I have STEM working experience, and they liked the fact that I was well-rounded.”
The program stood out because it blended rigorous engineering training with an appreciation for students’ broader experiences. “There aren’t many programs offering advanced hardware degrees that also value how STEM intersects with fields like finance. It was a perfect match for me.”
A pivot to entrepreneurship
Benson’s ultimate goal has always been entrepreneurship. When asked about his initial goals for pursuing the degree, his answer was clear.
“When I was working for Coca-Cola in Japan, I was fascinated by embedded systems. Interestingly enough, half of Coca-Cola revenue comes from vending machines, which is basically one large embedded system. And vending machines aren’t as simple as putting a coin in and getting a drink anymore. Now it has analytics, dynamic pricing, and automations. Coming into the Dartmouth program, my expectation was to understand the hardware behind these systems.”
However, Benson has since pivoted his reason for pursuing the MEng-CE. As of two months ago, Benson ventured into the realm of entrepreneurship, and he credits his time in the program for giving him the push to finally get started.
Benson’s new company, fueled by his newfound knowledge, develops small, innovative medical devices for the public sector. “A year and a half later, I decided I wanted to build something that benefits society. It’s a bit of a deviation from my original goal, but that’s life.”
Advice for prospective students
In speaking with Benson, he does emphasize the rigor of the coursework. Brushing up on calculus and linear algebra is a must, and the need for time management is critical to balancing study, work, and personal life. When summarizing his advice into three key points, Benson says:
- “This program scratches 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 mind clear and don’t overdo it. Even as an active learner, this is one of the hardest programs I’ve done. But if you keep a balanced lifestyle, you can do it.”
- “Be active in the community! I attended a Dartmouth event in Japan and met alumni and even got to meet the president of the university. The power of the Dartmouth network is real, even for online students.”
He also highlights the connections he’s made within the program itself. “I still talk to classmates I met in the first module (Machine Learning) on a weekly basis. Even being 7 courses in, we still keep in touch and keep each other going. This program has a human touch. We’ve all promised to meet on campus at graduation, and I know it’ll be a great time. I think it’s safe to say this program has allowed me to make lifelong friends.”
For Benson, Dartmouth’s online MEng in Computer Engineering has been more than a degree; it has been a catalyst for curiosity, growth, and real-world impact. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your expertise, pivot your career, or launch your own venture, Benson’s journey shows that Dartmouth’s MEng-CE empowers students to pursue their ambitions while fostering connections that last a lifetime. Learn more about the program →
