Caleb Daniels

Growing up in Columbia, Caleb Daniels wasn’t aware of Anderson University until his high school guidance counselor told him it was one of the institutions in South Carolina he could attend on the Palmetto Fellows scholarship. He received the scholarship and entered Anderson, where he studied computer science and excelled in soccer as a walk-on for the Trojans. Since graduating Summa Cum Laude, Caleb has embarked on a successful career as a data analyst and continues to play soccer for a semiprofessional team as well as coach soccer at his old high school.

How did you discover Anderson University?

I’m from Columbia, South Carolina, but I wasn’t aware of what Anderson was until maybe my junior year of high school. I was looking for a place where I could play soccer, where I could get a good degree program and a good learning experience that was in-state but not in Columbia. I got the Palmetto Fellows scholarship — it was really a blessing. One of the things my parents and I first noticed was the warmth, the genuine hospitality, the way we were being treated. Pam Ross said, “If you feel like an 80% chance that this is the school for you, forget about the 20, stick with the 80.” I was thinking God put in my heart “I got 80.”

What was your major at Anderson?

Computing and data analytics — I think my incoming class was the first year they offered the program.

Do you feel your studies at Anderson prepared you well for your career?

Absolutely, yes. Dr. Gregory Silver was so well versed about the industry. I came into my internship and my job knowing more than I was expected to know. I left with actual skills — it’s like “I can do something that someone I work with might not know how to do.” We also got opportunities to build professional skills, just being in the College of Business. I don’t know if there’s any other place I could have gone to be as prepared as I was.

Let’s talk about what you’re doing now.

I’m a data analyst at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, here in Columbia. They give a lot of opportunities for advancement internally and have a focus on developing their workforce. I’m in an aspiring leaders’ program that I got selected for. I really feel like I’m getting opportunities to learn about myself, about others, and to develop hard and soft skills that will help me along the way in my career.

What have been some high points for you as a soccer player?

These last two seasons we won back-to-back national championships in the UPSL for semi-pro, which is pretty much the most competitive semi-pro league that there is. It hadn’t been done before, so that’s probably the most notable achievement that I’ve been a part of.

What are some college memories that stand out?

I walked onto the soccer team at Anderson. I got the experience of being a student who didn’t play sports and also a student-athlete, so I felt like I got the best of both worlds. My most memorable moments were with the friends I met before I was playing soccer — nights where we would stay up till two or three in the morning talking about literally anything. Those are the moments I look back at favorably. I really just felt alive.

What advice would you give to someone interested in computer-related work?

Do what you’re interested in now. There are so many resources available. A program like Scratch lets you create something you enjoy or solve a problem. Try to put yourself in as many situations like that as you can. Getting exposed to that kind of stuff showed me what I liked and what I didn’t like, so I would say just being exposed to as much as you can.