What A Data Scientist At Cohere Health Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Data Science Industry
Shailja, a data scientist, advises aspiring data scientists to prioritize resourcefulness over encyclopedic knowledge, stating that the field constantly evolves with tools like "chat GPT," which didn't exist recently. Successfully navigating this dynamic landscape hinges on effectively utilizing online resources and adapting tools to specific projects, rather than mastering every technique.
Technology, Data Analysis, Problem-Solving, Resourcefulness, Imposter Syndrome
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shailja Somani
Data Scientist
Cohere Health
Johns Hopkins University, 2020
Currently pursuing my MS in Applied Data Science at the University of San Diego (part-time online while working full-time)
Psychology
Technology
Data and Analytics
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. The tech industry is constantly evolving with new tools and packages emerging regularly. It's crucial to develop strong resourcefulness and the ability to quickly learn and adapt to these changes.
2. Don't let imposter syndrome hold you back. It's normal to feel overwhelmed at times, but it's more important to be resourceful and know how to find the information and tools needed to solve problems.
3. Success in data science isn't about knowing everything; it's about effectively using resources like Google to find the right tools and solutions for specific projects and use cases. Mastering this skill is key to success in the field.
Transcript
If you learned about this role, what do you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
You don't have to know everything, but you have to know how to use your resources in tech. There are always new programming tools and new packages.
For example, take ChatGPT. This is a totally new tool that didn't exist six months ago. There's a bit of fear or imposter syndrome that kicks in sometimes, where you start to think, "Oh my god, there's so much, and I don't know everything, and I'm just bad at my job."
But being good at our jobs doesn't mean knowing how to do every single thing or knowing every single statistical formula in the world. It means knowing how to Google and how to use your resources to figure those things out. It means figuring out which tools are best for your use case or your current project.