If you search up the word 'scientist' on Google Images, it can be guaranteed that you will see a plethora of white lab coats, pipettes and Erlenmeyer flasks. Now, search up the term 'data scientist,' and the images are much less robust. This simple comparison accurately portrays the depiction of data scientists in modern society. While there exists preconceived notions on what other types of scientists are, the public knowledge becomes much more obscure when it comes to data scientists — what exactly do they do, and what do they look like?

Coined by the Harvard Business Review as the 'sexiest job of the 21st Century,' there is a growing need for professionals who are able to work with, analyze, and make sense of data. In this episode, Laura Gutierrez-Funderburk from Callysto offers insight into what she does in a day in her life as a data scientist, how she developed the soft and technical skills required for the occupation, as well as how she found communities through attending hackathons and conferences. Laura also discusses how being a woman and a member of a minority group affected her experience in tech, and the importance of trusting the process and listening to your gut feeling.