Avery Cloutier, courtesy photo
At just nineteen years old, Avery Cloutier has already cleared a milestone many spend their twenties chasing.
He earned his Master of Science in Data Science from the University of Michigan’s School of Information, and he completed the degree in under two years – and he just might officially be the first to do so.
To date, Cloutier has had a lot of flexibility academically. “I was homeschooled throughout my life, so that gave me the flexibility to start when I wanted,” he says. This gave him the opportunity to go at his own pace and pass his first college-level course at just 12 years old.
Winter Garden at the University of Michigan’s Ross School
AN UNCONVENTIONAL ACADEMIC JOURNEY
By the time most students are finishing high school, Cloutier had already well surpassed the academic achievements that are typically of those his age.
He’s navigated coursework across several higher-ed institutions and earned his undergraduate degree a few years ago at 17. Just months later, he stepped into graduate school at Michigan. By March 2026, that chapter was complete.
Long before data science became his field, Cloutier was drawn to information itself. In his younger years, he immersed himself in books, memorizing and reciting what he learned.
“I always loved information as a field,” he shares. Cloutier’s early curiosity sent him down a path of statistical and analytical exploration. He’s had a knack for exploring how frameworks shape how we understand data.
Choosing to study at Michigan was as much a strategic decision as it was an academic one. Because he was funding his education independently, Cloutier prioritized affordability alongside quality. Michigan offered both.
“Getting that in-state tuition was excellent,” he notes. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better place to study data science.”
Even past graduation, Cloutier is still intertwined in higher education. He recently accepted an invitation for a research fellowship at the University of Michigan focused on data visualization.
AN UNCONVENTIONAL CAREER PATH
Outside of the classroom, Cloutier has spent much of his graduate program years working in professional roles in consulting and analytics.
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
He started at Brewster Consulting Group at just 18 and got hands-on experience with real client work and problem-solving right away. “Consulting really helps you try out a variety of things,” he says.
What kept him grounded through the intensity of his first few full-time roles was knowing that in the tech and data space, performance and not age is what defines success. “This field is work product based, regardless of your age,” Cloutier explains.
Instead of going down a well-trodden path like that of most of those in his cohort with a Data Science Degree, Cloutier decided to take an unconventional route and accept a position with the U.S. Navy.
The inspiration came in part from watching his father serve as an Army medic, and for Cloutier, he was a strong example of what it means to commit to something larger than yourself.
CHOOSING PURPOSE OVER THE CONVENTIONAL PATH
Though this is the path less traveled, Cloutier has always believed in himself to succeed. “I’ve always been one to take the unconventional path,” he says. “I saw no reason to stray away from that side of me now.”
Cloutier was selected for Officer Candidate School and now he’s preparing to train as an intelligence officer. “I really want to dedicate my career towards something that betters society in general,” he says.
From the start, it was clear to those working with Cloutier that he brings a ton of talent to the table.
Cloutier’s recruiter, Chief Charles Rose, says, “What stands out to me about Avery, more than his resume, is his drive to serve and lead others. He has never been somebody to simply participate – he has always been the one willing to lead and take the responsibility on his own shoulders.”
Rose would have found Cloutier to be a great candidate even without his degree. “His technical skills developed from his experiences are all a bonus on top of his mindset of service, leadership, and personal growth.”
NO BLUEPRINT NECESSARY
As one might imagine, forging your own nontraditional path comes with its own challenges. Without a clear precedent, Cloutier has had to make decisions without following any sort of a blueprint. This has taught Cloutier how to think for himself, be resourceful, and stay determined in achieving each of his goals.
Avery Cloutier, courtesy photo
Through embracing uncertainty, Cloutier has managed to stay aligned with his own personal goals.
“I’m truly excited to wake up every day and go about my career,” he says.
From Rose’s perspective, that independence is exactly what sets Cloutier apart as a future officer. “It’s his desire to act in the service of others, step into the responsibility role, and lead others to their best outcome,” he says. “That is a rare trait.”
For other young students navigating a similar path, Cloutier has a simple piece of advice.
“If the traditional path isn’t for you, don’t let yourself get siloed,” he says. Instead, he encourages students to ask the harder questions of what brings purpose and meaning to their lives.
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