Matthew, Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance: Advize Career Interview

An interview with a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance reveals a fascinating career built on a foundation of Informatics and a drive to solve real-world problems.

Starting with marketing analytics and consulting roles, a professional honed valuable SQL and Python skills, ultimately landing in a position that combines core analytics with stakeholder management.

Daily life involves deciphering project requirements, coding in various tools, and building data visualizations to streamline tasks.

Success hinges on communication, understanding stakeholder needs, and translating those needs into technical solutions.

A key element is the ability to champion data-driven approaches, even when data quality is a challenge, and the most rewarding aspect is seeing stakeholders empowered by the developed data solutions.

Essential traits for thriving include a willingness to dive deep into data, critical thinking, and a passion for continuous learning.

Valuable advice includes focusing on practical skills like SQL, Python, data visualization, and advocating for oneself in the workplace.

Entry-level options like data analyst or engineer can pave the way, and consulting can provide diverse industry exposure.

A meticulous approach to data ensures confidence in addressing stakeholder questions, and a background in statistics proves invaluable.

This interview paints a picture of a dynamic and impactful career, perfect for those who love problem-solving and empowering others with data.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Matthew Slodowitz

Senior Data Scientist

Newfront Insurance

University of Michigan

Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics

Insurance

Data and Analytics

Greek Life Member

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Career Path of a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Matthew's career journey began with an Informatics major, now data science, but early on found data science internships scarce, leading to a marketing analytics role at a startup for initial business experience; Later, a consulting internship at IBM, though tech-focused rather than data science, provided valuable real-world consulting exposure. After several roles involving SQL exposure and data analytics, Matthew landed at Newfront Insurance, where data science interests are applied, fulfilling the initial goal.

Career Path of a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Main Responsibilities of a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

As a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, Matthew's main responsibilities revolve around core analytics, functioning as the "main analytics stakeholder" for teams like finance and operations; a key function is helping them understand their problems and then building data models or visualizations to streamline their day-to-day tasks. The role involves stakeholder meetings to collaboratively define problems and then developing analytical solutions.

Main Responsibilities of a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

A Day In The Life Of A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

As a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, Matthew spends a significant portion of time "working with stakeholders" to decipher project requirements (30%), in addition to coding in various tools like data visualization platforms, DVP, and Snowflake (25-30%); the remaining time is spent on documentation, team management, building visualizations and other miscellaneous tasks. "A lot of it is really stakeholder management and coding."

A Day In The Life Of A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

Most Important Skills For A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

According to Matthew, a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, crucial skills involve translating stakeholders' ideas and concerns into technical projects and solutions, which requires "understanding requests" and being a "great communicator." Matthew also emphasizes the importance of SQL and Python for success in data science roles, skills that Matthew learned on the job and considers vital for anyone pursuing a data science career.

Most Important Skills For A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Matthew, a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, enjoys the ability to work closely with stakeholders and "build [their] own path" by identifying important projects aligned with business needs; coding and data visualization work is also enjoyable, especially when it leads to "tangible things" that create efficiencies and help people do their jobs easier and faster. Ultimately, the impact of the projects on business outcomes is what Matthew enjoys most about the role.

Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Matthew, a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, identifies the biggest challenge as gaining stakeholder adherence to data-driven approaches when data quality is lacking, noting the difficulty in explaining data issues and building trust, especially when not dealing with "data advocates"; the goal is to establish credibility so stakeholders don't constantly question the data, enabling real insights and preventing the blame game when anomalies arise.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Favorite Parts of Working in the Insurance Industry as a Senior Data Scientist

Matthew, a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, enjoys seeing stakeholders happy with data solutions. The most rewarding part of the job is providing solutions that allow businesses, who may have never worked with data before, to experience "data visualization tools" and become data-centric in their decision-making.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Insurance Industry as a Senior Data Scientist

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Data Science Industry, According To A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

Matthew believes that individuals who thrive as data scientists at Newfront Insurance are "willing to get their hands dirty," diving deep into data sets to ensure quality and understanding, while also possessing critical thinking skills and a passion for continuous learning. Furthermore, successful data scientists are "good communicators" capable of effectively collaborating with stakeholders to understand and achieve their goals.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Data Science Industry, According To A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance

What A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Data Science Industry

Matthew wishes that college would have provided more practical experience with tools like SQL and Python, as well as exposure to data visualization, noting a "disconnect between what you are learning in school versus what you are learning in the real world"; Matthew also emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, networking, and building a personal brand by actively seeking opportunities to showcase accomplishments and gain visibility, especially in the office.

What A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Data Science Industry

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Data Scientists at Newfront Insurance

Matthew suggests that undergraduate students interested in data science can consider roles such as "data engineer, analytics engineer, data analyst, [or] data scientist" to begin their careers, and that consulting can also be a helpful path as it provides exposure to different industries and opportunities to develop both data and people skills. Specifically, working as a data analyst in other parts of a business can improve data skills while consulting roles offer exposure to various industries, ultimately helping one discover their passions.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Data Scientists at Newfront Insurance

Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

Matthew, a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance, emphasizes the significance of thoroughness in data science, stating that it allows one to confidently address stakeholders' questions by "exhausting your options" through comprehensive documentation, data exploration, and a deep understanding of the data, anomalies, and unfamiliar code. This meticulous approach ensures one can always provide well-reasoned solutions and proactively address potential concerns in projects, ultimately preventing unanswered questions later on.

Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Data Scientist at Newfront Insurance

College Experiences That Helped A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance Succeed

Matthew attributes success to the timing of undergrad studies, as data science was emerging, allowing for impactful coursework in data science and general coding that later proved beneficial when interviewing for data science roles by being able to lean on and talk about academic experiences. Furthermore, a background in statistics and statistical analysis aided in understanding and working through various projects and challenges encountered throughout their career.

College Experiences That Helped A Senior Data Scientist At Newfront Insurance Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-slodowitz/