What Does a Career in Data Science Look Like?

Meet Naomi, a Principal Data Scientist at Liberty IT. 

In this interview, Naomi shares her experiences and highlights the impact data science can have on solving real-world problems and making a positive impact on society. 

What is Data Science? 

Naomi, could you help us understand data science in simple terms?

Data science is all about unlocking insights from data to solve real-world problems. It involves collecting, analysing, and interpreting data to uncover patterns and trends to help businesses make better decisions. Think of data science as turning raw data into actionable insights that drive business growth and innovation.

What do Data Scientists do?

So, what exactly does a data scientist do on a day-to-day basis?

As a data scientist, my role is incredibly varied and largely depends on the project. Some days will be more collaborative, where our team is working together to solve complex problems or presenting our findings to stakeholders. 

Other days will be really data and code-centric; exploring, visualising and modelling. Whether it's predicting customer behaviour, optimising processes, or better identifying risk, we use our analytical skills to make sense of data and drive positive change within organisations.

(You can read more about what a career in Data Science looks like at Liberty IT here.)

From data to decisions

How do the insights generated by data scientists translate into real-world decisions?

A diverse range of industries are leveraging data science to help them make informed, evidence-based decisions. Through data, we can help identify areas for improvement, make informed predictions, and drive strategic initiatives. 

Most people are likely interacting with these outcomes in our day-to-day lives. For example, the content we are shown on social media, navigation apps rerouting us based on real-time traffic conditions, and potentially even helping with diagnostics when we receive medical treatment. 

The impact of Data Science in the world we live in 

How does data science contribute to society and the broader global community?

Data science can drive positive change on a global scale. From healthcare and education to sustainability and social justice, data-driven solutions have the potential to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. 

For example, data science can help healthcare providers deliver more personalised care, improve educational outcomes for students, and inform policy decisions to tackle climate change.

Naomi's personal experience

Can you share a personal experience or project that highlights the impact of data science?

There was a recent opportunity to improve how we handled and prioritised claims. Through looking at historical data and working with claims adjusters, we were able to build a solution which helped claims get to the right teams at the right time.

This not only increased customer experience, with reduced wait times and faster, fairer pay-outs, but also improved the experience of claims adjusters who were able to focus on the claims that needed the most attention.

Are you interested in Data Science?

Undoubtedly, data science is vital in driving innovation and decision-making. As highlighted by Naomi, data scientists have the unique opportunity to leverage data to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on society. 

For those interested in pursuing a career in data science, Liberty IT offers a range of opportunities for apprenticeships, internships, and full-time roles. Visit our career page to explore current openings and join us on our mission to harness the power of data for good.