TTT #27: "Diving into Data Science" with Leen Madanat

Data Science influences our lives a lot more than we think. It is not just something a company uses to boost its revenue, or an economist to formulate a research survey. Instead, the decisions based on the analysis, by guiding frameworks, policies, impact every aspect of our life. By mentioning the relevance of this during the current pandemic, Leen Madanat exemplifies the need for an ethical source of truth.

Their (data analysts) goal is to have a source of truth for information, and that only happens if you have the technology and the advanced analytics in the background that is ethical.

At first glance, data science strikes as a jargon of numbers and graphs to be assimilated. While this is an important part, there is so much more that goes into the field. It requires having a thorough knowledge of the industry you work in to make sense of the qualitative data and analyze scenarios merging it with statistical data. Be it pharmaceuticals, marketing, or healthcare, every imaginable industry today is closely linked to the application of data, and the strategies based on it suggested by consultants. Leen touches upon this aspect of data science, giving us a picture of what the field entails.

Apart from these technicalities, she talks to us about the various experiences that shaped her. Spending time at the boarding school, for example, gave her a taste of independence, and the associated skills made the shift from high school to college a lot less daunting.

She also mentions how common it is for us to be unsure of a career, even when having made the decision to pursue a particular subject at college. The key is to give our interests our shot, explore the paths that we are considering, and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. To get an edge in our future experiences, getting acquainted with the actual functioning of these (internships, online courses, etc.) helps build new insights. Apart from that, it also alleviates levels of confidence, something that Leen regards as a factor in her getting a job at KPMG, one of the big fours.

With the growth and specialization data science has witnessed in the last few years, Leen believes that it is only to grow more. She stands for learning and investing ourselves into the field, without worrying too much availability and the hustle of jobs and incomes. As long as we are true to ourselves and confident in what our potentials are, there is no limit as to what we can achieve.