Lesson learnt from building a career in data with Karen Jean Francois
Aug 24, 2023
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Join host Jason Foster in an enlightening conversation with Karen Jean Francois, Analytics Manager at Monzo Bank and host of the Women in Data Podcast, as they discuss the challenges and lessons learned in data careers. Highlights include the importance of clear guidance, bridging expectations, and fostering cross-functional collaboration for success in data-driven careers.
Clear guidance and career paths are crucial for success in data-driven careers.
Misalignment of expectations between businesses and data professionals can hinder the success of data analytics initiatives.
Deep dives
Lack of Career Guidance and Support
One of the main challenges in the field of data analytics is the lack of career guidance and support, especially for professionals in the early stages of their careers. Many data analysts and data scientists enter the industry with little understanding of what it truly means to work in data and analytics. This lack of guidance leads to a lot of ambiguity and misalignment of expectations. Job descriptions often focus on technical skills and technologies, neglecting the broader skills and capabilities needed for success. Additionally, there is often a lack of mentors or coaches to provide guidance and support, which leaves individuals to navigate their career development on their own. To address this issue, it is crucial for organizations and leaders to provide clearer career paths and learning opportunities to help data professionals grow and succeed.
Misalignment of Expectations
Misalignment of expectations between businesses and data professionals is another key challenge in the field of data analytics. This issue arises due to the fast-paced nature of the industry and the ever-changing landscape of technologies and methodologies. Many organizations have unrealistic expectations, seeking the elusive 'data science unicorn' with expertise in all the latest tools and techniques. This results in hiring processes that prioritize technical skills over other important qualities, such as problem-solving, communication, and business understanding. To foster better alignment, organizations should focus on clearly defining the expectations for data roles, emphasizing not only technical skills but also the ability to collaborate across teams, understand business objectives, and effectively communicate insights.
Poor Cross-Functional Collaboration
Effective cross-functional collaboration is crucial for the success of data analytics initiatives, but it is often lacking in organizations. Data professionals sometimes isolate themselves within technical silos, disconnected from the rest of the business. This hinders their ability to understand the needs and objectives of other teams and limits their impact on business decision-making. To overcome this challenge, data professionals need to actively work on building relationships and collaborating with stakeholders from different departments. They should aim to understand the 'what' and 'why' behind the data requests, translating business needs into meaningful data insights. Cultivating a culture of collaboration and promoting open communication between data professionals and other teams can lead to more successful data-driven outcomes.
Fostering Skill Development and Growth
Supporting skill development and growth is essential for data professionals to thrive in their careers. This requires a shift from solely focusing on technical skills to recognizing and developing individual strengths. Organizations should provide clearer career development paths and mentorship programs to guide data professionals in their growth journey. However, it is also important for individuals to take ownership of their own development. They should actively seek out learning opportunities, engage with industry networks, and continuously assess and bridge their skill gaps. By combining organizational support with personal initiative, data professionals can cultivate the diverse set of skills needed to excel in the dynamic field of data analytics.
Join host Jason Foster in an enlightening conversation with Karen Jean Francois, Analytics Manager at Monzo Bank and host of the Women in Data Podcast, as they dive into the intriguing world of data careers. In this episode, Karen shares her insights and her brilliant journey in the data field, along with the hard-earned lessons learned along the way. Tune in and discover the pivotal importance of clear guidance, bridging expectations, and fostering cross-functional collaboration for success in data-driven careers
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