Data Scientist Consultant

Q1: What industry are you in?
A1: I work in the management consulting industry as a consultant for local and international Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as local and international government bodies.

Q2: Can you tell us about your personal work background and career path?
A2 I earned my undergraduate degree in Medical Science, majoring in Human Anatomy and Physiology, and later pursued studies in Medical Biochemistry. After graduation, I interned at the United Nations Information Centre, where I liaised with the UN Headquarters in New York regarding news media. Following my internship, I joined UNICEF as a management consultant, where I analyzed data and evaluated programs.

Later, I worked as a Data Scientist consultant across various industries, including finance, supply chain, automotive, and government. It was during this time that I gained exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) and data governance.

Q3: What are the responsibilities of your current role, and what do you enjoy about it?
A3:  My current responsibilities include providing advice to NGOs on their data strategy. This involves building their data infrastructure and developing strategies for effective data usage.

Q4: Could you share a memorable professional experience?
A4: While developing an AI algorithm for facial recognition in 2014 while working for an NGO, the technology was still relatively new. One of the objectives was to recognize patients so they could be immediately transferred to the appropriate department. Initially, it was challenging to gain buy-in from top management, but once I demonstrated the product to senior leaders and they witnessed its potential, it was an unforgettable moment.

Q5: What personality traits are well-suited for this profession?
A5: I always remember one of the greatest scientists of all time, Albert Einstein, who said, “I have no special talent. I am passionately curious,” and “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Therefore, when it comes to personality, always be curious.

Q6: Are there any considerations or limitations in this profession?
A6: If someone mentions limitations, remember this quote: “What will stop me from doing it?” Additionally, if you have the time, grab a book and read Marie Forleo's “Everything is Figureoutable.” Nothing should stop you from pursuing your passions.

Q7: How can someone enter this profession, and what are the promotion opportunities?
A7: If you want to enter this profession, one of the starting points is to “get your hands dirty.” Taking a data science course or participating in Kaggle competitions is just the tip of the iceberg for practicing your technical skills; gaining real experience is crucial. I suggest volunteering for an NGO and offering your services. This will allow you to experience the “dirty work” of being a data scientist.

Some work-related photos:

Driving data literacy at the workplace

Data Conference in Dubai

By William, a Data visualisation and Data Science Lead in Ubunt2 Consulting

Top thumbnail designed by Freepik