Clay Olsen

Biography

I was born in the Bay Area to a family of engineers who instilled in me a respect for STEM subjects while also introducing me to the creativity and storytelling of science fiction. That combination of analytical thinking and curiosity led me to Seattle University, where I studied business analytics. I especially enjoyed the TED Talk–esque aspect of data analytics, where you can take a deep dive into abstract questions like, “Do college athletes miss more free throws during finals week?” or “Can you detect spam just by reading your inbox?” After graduating, I decided to deepen my technical abilities by pursuing a master’s degree in statistics at UC Santa Cruz.

After graduate school, I spent five years working in data science at a time-series AI technology startup. Outside of work, I volunteered as a tutor with a local program supporting students who were struggling with their coursework. I found the experience incredibly rewarding. I enjoyed helping students unpack difficult topics, develop stronger study skills, and have someone they could rely on. My favorite part was watching students discover their own interests and find ways to connect those interests to their coursework. Over time, these experiences convinced me that I wanted to make a career transition, leading me to pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology and begin tutoring with AJ Tutoring.

At AJ Tutoring, I work with high school students across a range of math and statistics courses, helping them build stronger academic skills and more effective study habits. My five years of applying these concepts across numerous industries have given me a practical understanding of the real-world applications behind many mathematical ideas that can seem abstract in the classroom. I enjoy bringing that perspective into my sessions and helping students see how what they’re learning connects beyond the textbook.

In my free time, I stay active with basketball, soccer, surfing, and hiking. I’m also a big fan of fantasy books, movies, and shows, as well as rock music, and I enjoy taking big trips whenever life gives me the opportunity.