Twice weekly, I share proven strategies to help data scientists get noticed, promoted, and valued. No theory — just practical steps to transform your technical expertise into business impact and the freedom to call your own shots.
100 Episodes. One Big Lesson
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In 2015, I fell in love with a job I would never have. I’d just attended a conference where people were talking about machine learning and data science as the way of the future. I returned to the office eager to learn more and started down the data science rabbit hole - where I stumbled across an article about the recently established NYC Mayor’s Office for Data Analytics. They were using data science to locate illegal cooking oil dumping in the city’s sewers. To coordinate emergency services after Hurricane Sandy. Practical, high-stakes, real-world problems being solved with data. I desperately wanted to be part of it. Working at the Mayor’s Office of a city I’d never even visited suddenly became my dream job. Then reality set in. Did I really want to move halfway around the world for a job? And even if I did, as an Australian citizen, would it be possible? So instead, I did the next best thing - I proposed turning the Actuarial and Business Intelligence team I was already managing into a smaller version of the same thing. To my surprise, the executive of my organisation approved it. I found out later it was because I walked into that executive meeting so visibly excited about the whole idea that everyone in the room caught the feeling and just wanted to be part of it, too. That moment taught me something I’ve spent the last decade refining: the technical work matters, but it’s never the thing that moves people. It’s a lesson that’s guided me through the creation of Value Driven Data Science and its first 100 episodes. Today marks the release of the milestone 100th episode of Value Driven Data Science and in this episode, Matt O’Mara, Managing Director of Analysis Paralysis, turns the tables and interviews me about what I’ve learned along the way. You’ll discover:
This episode is for everyone who’s been part of this journey. Thank you for being here. Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or click the link below: Episode 100: What Data Science Value Really Means Talk again soon, Dr Genevieve Hayes |
Data Science Impact Algorithm
Twice weekly, I share proven strategies to help data scientists get noticed, promoted, and valued. No theory — just practical steps to transform your technical expertise into business impact and the freedom to call your own shots.
When I started my career, data science didn’t exist as a field. I trained as an actuary and statistician and those were the tools I relied on in my earliest roles. Then, around 10 years ago, I started hearing about the wonders of machine learning and became worried that my traditional training was no longer enough. So, despite already having a PhD in Statistics, I went back and completed a Masters in Machine Learning. Then came the AI wave – ChatGPT, large language models, generative AI – and...
The most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my data science career weren’t learned in a classroom. They came from conversations with people who’d already figured things out the hard way. My podcast has been a more valuable learning tool for me than all of my university degrees combined. Over 100 episodes, I’ve had the chance to speak one-on-one with some of the sharpest minds in the industry - CEOs, best-selling authors and leading researchers - on everything from cutting-edge AI to what it...
The first time I ever presented my work in public was at a finance symposium when I was 27. I was close to submitting my PhD thesis and my supervisor offered me the opportunity as a supporting speaker to a renowned international mathematical finance researcher. I was the final speaker of the day. By the time I took the podium, almost everyone had gone home. Fewer than 10 people remained in the room. But the researcher was still there. Afterwards, I headed to the airport, and ran into him in...