In this episode, Cecilia is joined by Konstantina Kapetanidi and Anna O'Donohue to talk about how embracing neurodiversity can bring unique strengths and perspectives to the workforce, as well as to day-to-day life. They share personal experiences with neurodiversity, discuss the importance of diagnosis, and address workplace challenges such as misinformation and inclusion. Having recently ran a successful lunch and learn on the topic with Women in data recently, they continue the conversation and dive into questions they didn’t have time to answer during the event.
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.
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 fears—once afraid of being exposed as a fraud and even escorted off the premises. Michelle offers invaluable advice on how to conquer these feelings and unlock your full potential. Tune in to learn how to: Manage the overwhelming feelings of imposter syndrome Confidently discuss these feelings with your manager without diminishing your credibility Build lasting confidence while navigating the complexities of a career in data
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 importance of aligning learning with business goals and sharing knowledge. Jackie also touches on how one can strategically use learning budgets when available.
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-busting routine, this relatable conversation offers practical tips and a reminder that there's no one-size-fits-all solution to finding balance.
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 learning and adapting in the fast-evolving field of data science. This conversation is packed with actionable tips for data professionals looking to enhance their impact and advance their careers.
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, this episode is for you.
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.
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.
Today, Cecilia has a very special guest: Carla Rodriguez. Carla and Cecilia go way back to our days in hospitality school, and over the years, they've both transitioned into the world of data. In this episode, they’ll dive into Carla’s fascinating journey from hospitality in the mining industry to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the data field. We'll also discuss the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of trusting yourself and embracing change.
In August, Cecilia is taking the reins of the podcast in a mini series featuring women who transitioned into data from a different career. For the first episode of this mini series, Cecilia speaks to Elodie Hudson. Elodie transitioned into data in 2023 from being a teacher for 16 years and also working in Science to become a Lead Data Scientist at a technology and training company for the railway industry. She has an incredible and inspiring journey about career change.
In this episode, Cecilia takes the reins as solo host for the first time. She interviews Jennifer Mezzio, the Global HR Data Officer at First Citizens Bank and the Strategic Community Executive Director for Women in Data in the US, who shares her inspiring journey from bank teller to data leader. Jennifer recounts her pivotal experiences at Silicon Valley Bank, where she played a crucial role in developing the HR Data Office, especially during the bank's collapse in March 2023. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and maintaining one's identity beyond the job. Jennifer discusses her impactful work in the data community, sparked by her article on women in the field and her connection with the organization's founder, Roisin. Her efforts aim to expand the community's presence in North America, mirroring its success in the UK and India. The conversation also covers how yoga helps manage stress, the significance of community in data, and the experiences of women in male-dominated industries. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on career resilience, community building, and personal growth.
This week, Karen and Cecilia speak with Tamanna Haque, a lead data scientist at Jaguar Land Rover, about her career journey from retail to automotive. Tam discusses transitioning into data science from data analytics through self-training, proving the value of data science and AI, and learning to work with larger cloud datasets. She shares insights on overcoming industry transition challenges like new data, culture, and pushback by ensuring her work spoke for itself. Passionate about cars, Tam explains how she leverages connected vehicle data to improve Jaguar Land Rover's products, customer experience, and retailer relationships.
In this episode, Karen is joined by Roshni Daswani, Head of Data Strategy and Transformation at a leading consulting firm in the UK. From navigating language barriers and cultural shifts to overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry, Roshni shares invaluable insights and actionable advice for professionals at every stage of their careers. Join us as we explore the power of resilience, confidence-building, and effective leadership, and learn how to own your career, command any room, and achieve your fullest potential. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, this conversation is packed with wisdom and inspiration to help you thrive in the world of data and beyond. Find Roshini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshni-daswani-01b4854a/
Join Karen and Cecilia as they discuss common pitfalls in data analytics and how to avoid them. From understanding the request and sense-checking numbers to documenting code and providing regular updates, they share personal stories and tips to help you refine your data analytics skills or support others in delivering impactful insights. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with practical advice! Follow Karen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-jean-francois/ Follow Cecilia n LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliagoliveira/
In this episode of the Women in Data podcast, Karen and Cecilia are joined by Rachel Escott, Director of Development at FIS. Rachel discusses her somewhat unorthodox journey into a data leadership role via a Danish brewery and Kent farm. The group also discuss taking a career break, particularly due to childcare commitments, and how to navigate a return to a full-time role. Rachel offers practical advice on working with a younger cohort and the advantages of leveraging corporate programmes designed to help people who have taken a career break. Listen to learn Rachel's fascinating career so far and gain insight on how to manage career breaks and successfully return to the office after a long absence. Find Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-escott/
In this episode of the Women in Data podcast, we dive deep into the remarkable career of Pranjali Ajay Parse, a data scientist at Autodesk, as she shares her journey into the dynamic world of data science. This episode is a must for anybody who wishes to land their first data science role. Pranjali outlines her journey from mobile app development to the emerging world of data science which was booming across a range of industries, recounts her journey from India to the USA and explains the power of courses, education and internships to get a role. Pranjali also explains of the power of taking on leadership roles, including hers as an ambassador for women in data science with a major US college. Listen to learn practical tips on how to land your first data science role and discover Pranjali’s unique journey into the data space and her transition between cultures. Pranjali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranjali-ajay-parse/ Get mentored by Pranjali - https://topmate.io/pranjali_ajay_parse Pranjali on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@pranjali_parse
In this co-hosted Women in Data episode, Karen and Cecilia devote an entire episode to a topic that was key in the special 100th episode: networking. The pair discuss advice for networking, understanding why networking is crucial for career advancement, building skills, and establishing personal connections. They also discuss how to reach out to find mentorship, especially with people who may be very busy. Karen and Cecilia give practical tips on how to enjoy and gain benefit from networking events including arriving early and having clearly defined objectives beforehand. This episode is a must listen for people who are keen to develop their soft, interpersonal, and networking skills. Don’t miss it!
This month marks the 4th anniversary of the Women in Data Podcast, featuring a special guest, Megan Lieu, a Data Advocate at Deepnotes, LinkedIn Instructor, and Data Influencer with over 100k followers. In this episode, Megan reflects on her journey from a finance career to Data Science, highlighting her initial obsession with coding before realizing her strengths lay in communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Karen and Megan delve into the crucial role of Data Advocates in ensuring the usability of data products, emphasizing the importance of understanding user experience and addressing pain points for effective product development. Additionally, they discuss the provision of valuable resources and interaction with users to facilitate the efficient utilization of products and tools. They talk about content creation, navigating social media, and the parallels with Megan’s advocacy role. Megan also shares insights on finding support during career transitions without an established network. Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlieu/
In this episode, Karen is joined by Raquel Seville, CEO of Dataffluent Limited. They discuss Raquel’s remarkable journey from a data analyst to an entrepreneur, highlighting her impact as a female leader in the Caribbean tech industry. While the conversation delves into the state of data in Jamaica, the main focus is on the unique challenges women face in balancing career aspirations with personal life, addressing specific female health challenges that can disrupt career progression. There is no separation between being a woman and being a professional, and Raquel shares her experience going through myomectomy, severe pre-eclampsia, child loss, and multiple miscarriages. She highlights the fact that black women are much more likely to face life-changing health issues than women of other ethnicities, particularly around fertility. As a data professional, Raquel finds it difficult to just accept these as facts and is determined to discover the why as well as solutions. Find Raquel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquelseville/