In this episode, Jade Emmanuel, a Customer Science Analyst, reveals how she took ownership of her career by starting with curiosity and pursuing what excites her. You'll get actionable advice on how to take control of your own career, whether it's through engaging in curious conversations, shadowing others, or approaching senior leaders with confidence. Learn how to leverage informal learning experiences and develop a growth mindset to create opportunities and build strategic relationships that elevate your professional journey.  ..read more

Did you know that 70% of adults will experience imposter syndrome at least once in their lives?   In this two-part episode, Karen dives deep into the world of imposter syndrome, exploring how it impacts professionals and how to break free from its grip.  In Part 1, Holly Wall, a Data Governance Analyst, candidly shares her personal battle with imposter syndrome. She opens up about the challenges she faced, the self-doubt she’s overcome, and how it has shaped her career in data.  In Part 2, Michelle Hall, a Data Leader and Career & Leadership Coach, recounts her own fear ..read more

Cecilia is chatting today with Karina Naminas, the CEO of Label Your Data. Karina's journey is a fascinating one, beginning with liberal arts and journalism and evolving into a leadership role in the tech industry. She started her career in customer support, took on various roles, and eventually co-founded a company specializing in data annotation for AI development. We'll explore her unique path, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and the lessons she learned along the way ..read more

If you are wondering about where and how you fit into the world of Data, this episode will provide a great perspective. Anusha Adige moved from India to Scotland, and from Banking specialist to Business Analyst, and now Data and Analytics Manager. Though she came from a non-technical background, she learned to work with programmers to generate powerful business insights. Karen and Cecilia were fascinated to hear about the transferable skills of someone who is a naturally curious person. Discussions between business people and data people often get lost in translation. So, Data needs “really ef ..read more

In this episode, Karen is joined by Rianna Kelly, Head of Product Analytics & Data Scientist at ZEPZ, to discuss the intricacies of onboarding experiences within data teams.  While the onboarding period may be relatively brief in one's tenure, its significance is undeniable as it sets the scene for what’s to come. The realm of data work is notably complex, demanding a grasp of technology, data, processes, and business acumen, rendering onboarding in data teams a unique challenge.    Throughout the conversation, Rianna uses her expertise to describe the components of a great ..read more

In this episode, Jackie Clayton, Analytics & Data Science Lead at Mars, discusses creating effective learning cultures in data teams. Drawing from her experience establishing data academies, Jackie shares insights on:  Integrating learning into daily work  Making the most of your learning budget  Learning without having to spend money for it  Involving all team members in the learning process  Extending data education across organisations  She offers practical advice for fostering a learning environment in both large and small teams, emphasising the ..read more

Two data professionals get real about managing stress and finding work-life balance in a rapidly changing world. From failed meditation attempts to CrossFit obsessions, Cecilia and Karen share their personal journeys of discovering what actually works for them to stay sane in high-pressure tech careers. With candid humour, they discuss the pressures of "self-care" culture, the importance of setting boundaries at work, and their go-to strategies for decompressing - which aren't always what you'd expect. Whether you're struggling to step away from your desk or searching for your own stress ..read more

In this episode, Karen and Dr. Nadia Zaheer tackle one of the most important topics in data: ensuring and demonstrating the value of data science work. Nadia shares practical strategies for prioritising projects using impact vs. effort matrices, the importance of quantifying results, and effective ways to communicate value to stakeholders. She emphasises the need for data professionals to understand how their work fits into the bigger business picture and contributes to revenue growth or cost reduction. She also offers advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of continuously l ..read more

For the last episode of this summer mini series, we have a truly inspiring guest, Padma Varatharajan, who recently transitioned back into the workforce after a career break of over 20 years. She shares her incredible journey from raising her son to becoming a data engineer at Cap Gemini. We delve into the challenges she faced re-entering the workforce, the steps she took to rediscover her passion for data, and how a supportive community played a crucial role in her success. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to start your own career in data or just love hearing stories of incredible women ..read more

Cecilia chats with Savannah Brown, who shares her incredible journey from the medical field to becoming a data and insight analyst.  This episode promises to be filled with valuable insights and inspiration, especially for those considering a major career transition. Savannah's story highlights the power of transferable skills and the endless possibilities within the data industry ..read more