story
“I thought I’d find a role which was highly analytical, as I’ve always preferred the objective nature of scientific subjects. However, I never thought I’d be specialised within the data and technology sector, as I was unaware of the variety of data specific roles. During training, Kubrick opened my eyes to the different roles available within the data and technology sector, through exploring all of the key stages within an end-to-end process which drive the delivery of a data product.”
I graduated from Loughborough University in Sport and Exercise Science (BSc Hons.), which applied statistical analysis and data driven research to human physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics and psychology. My research project examined the interindividual variability of sleep responses following acute exercise in healthy young males in a replicated cross-over study. I utilised my analytical skills to assess differing sleep quantification metrics to prove the varying effects of exercise on sleep, through extracting quantitative data derived from statistical models I created on SPSS.
I completed my placement year at Fulham FC as the 1st team Sports Scientist, where I developed my analytical and stakeholder engagement skills through analysing medical and physical performance data against key performance indicators, to help present insight to the coaching staff and medical team. These projects employed a novel approach to analysing physical biomarker data holistically. I also worked at KBR where I developed my consulting skills in government solutions through advising strategic leaders on defence markets, space and training programmes.
After exploring how valuable data is in providing valuable insights and objective recommendations within the sport and physiological domain, to improve physical performance or facilitate novel scientific theory for my degree, I was motivated to pursue a career within data and technology. Working as the 1st team Sports Scientist at Fulham FC (FFC) initiated my interest in data in the professional domain, after I observed real-time analysis of physical biomarker data drive player selection, performance enhancement and injury rehabilitation decisions. Seeing what was possible from applying data analysis and visualisation techniques with scientific theory, to communicate key insights from complex datasets was an extremely rewarding process, especially when pivotal decisions were successfully made in relation to team performance.
I thought I’d find a role which was highly analytical, as I’ve always preferred the objective nature of scientific subjects. However, I never thought I’d be specialised within the data and technology sector, as I was unaware of the variety of data specific roles. During training, Kubrick opened my eyes to the different roles available within the data and technology sector, through exploring all of the key stages within an end-to-end process which drive the delivery of a data product.
I decided to apply for Kubrick, predominantly due to the paid training process and breadth of clients. Paid training, provided an edge over Kubrick’s competitors which drew me in, whilst also highlighting how Kubrick were keen to invest in their consultants to ensure they flourished on client-site. The breadth of clients provided confirmation that Kubrick’s training model was clearly successful, as the number of multi-national blue chip companies on the client list was extremely impressive. Despite realising the intense nature of the training, I was assured by consultants who had been through the process that the expertise of Kubrick’s trainers, their willingness to help and dedication to each trainee, confirmed Kubrick was the right place to start my career in data and technology.
Training utilises a blended approach between technical and business aspects, that prepares consultants to understand the business problem, outline the business requirements, provide an appropriate technical solution to satisfy the requirements and ensure appropriate stakeholder management skills are implemented throughout the end-to-end delivery process of the data product to ensure successful adoption of the tool.
Training is provided initially in an instructor-led format to teach the principles of each topic or tech tool, to allow consultants to apply their knowledge in training based exercises, leading to the development of specific projects in an agile, scrum team approach. The training programme is designed to help consultants acclimate towards delivering high quality projects at speed, through consistently requiring training specific end products to be delivered throughout the training schedule. Training is delivered by highly experienced, industry leading subject matter experts, who are extremely keen for engagement and feedback to facilitate learning to the wider cohort. This approach helps build confidence for consultants to ask the appropriate questions to senior level stakeholders.
Due to the emphasis on working agile in small scrum teams, to deliver high quality data-driven products at speed during training, I was able to quickly acclimatise to the ways of working on client-site. The Kubrick training programme also helped me prepare for approaching business problems on client site in a logical way, whilst being able to offer innovative technical solutions, based on the variety of tech-stack software introduced to us in training. From a business perspective, Kubrick helped us prepare for managing different types of stakeholders throughout the delivery process, which was extremely helpful for us in understanding how to keep key stakeholders onboard with the solution, throughout the change-management process.
Whilst at a large UK retailer, I worked on a project developing a data-driven recommendation service capable of providing product-relevant recommendations to customers based on prior spending habits and browsing behaviour, using data science technologies. As the data product owner, I was primarily responsible for setting the scope for feature releases, after assessing the feasibility of requirements in relation to the delivery of other data products within the retailer. My role facilitated wider business users understanding of the product and what was to come in the product roadmap, whilst managing expectations for delivery based upon other data product timelines within the retailer’s data landscape.
Furthermore, whilst at a multi-national pharmaceutical company, I worked on delivering artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to automate the production of text written reports, using structured datasets through applying Natural Language Generation (NLG) technology. I was able to automate financial reports which summarised total operating costs against budgets, to highlight major variances (over/underspending departments), alongside which financial parameters contributed the most to these overall variances. The product quickly provided insight to budget owners, to facilitate spending decisions for the remaining part of the financial year, to stay on target with their budgets.
The piece of work I’m most proud of is automating the production of clinical study report sections at a multi-national pharmaceutical company, through utilising Natural Language Generation (NLG) technology. The process was designed to showcase how NLG technology could extract information relating to the side effects of a drug in regards to a clinical study, to facilitate faster and more accurate decision making around whether or not to advance a drug into a further development stage. Overall, the process highlighted how NLG could facilitate the release of safe and effective drugs onto the market quicker, to ensure the general population receive their required medication.
Kubrick has expanded my network substantially! Having initial exposure to highly experienced, subject matter experts in training and on client-site has accelerated my development within the data world significantly. Learning from their experiences within multiple industries and data-driven projects, helped give me the platform to apply what’s worked best for them in alignment with best practices acquired during training. Additionally, connecting with my cohort as well as past cohorts, has produced a life-time network where other Kubrick consultants going through similar points of their career can provide advice from what they’ve learnt through their experience.
Don’t be disheartened by current recruitment strategies within the data and technology world. As Kubrick have shown, any background is welcome if you can think logically, creatively and you have the willingness to learn. It’s also vital that you have a passion for data, as this will help your willingness to learn which will be pivotal in your career, due to the fast moving technological landscape.
Without Kubrick’s high quality training, network platform and reputation with multi-national blue-chip companies, the current barriers within the technology and data space would’ve most likely restricted my ability to even start a career within the industry, let alone have the opportunity to be working on large scale projects with world renowned companies.
If you want an accelerated career path related to data and technology, which provides paid training by industry leading, subject matter experts and life-time networks within the industry, there’s no other company I’d recommend.
