Questions I Ask New + Prospective Data Scientist Clients
Data science is vast and diverse, and to navigate it successfully, one needs more than just technical acumen
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I love meeting with prospective and aspiring data scientists. Equally, I enjoy meeting with current data science professionals who are looking to level-up in the field. Selfishly, these kinds of meetings help me learn about and better understand the challenges folks face as they look to enter or level up in the field.
Meeting with potential clients is one of the best ways I can spend my time as a data science career coach.
The other, less selfish reason it is important to meet for a discussion is that often folks have specific questions in mind and are looking for my insights. For example, folks looking to transition into data science might be asking:
- What salary can I expect after I transition into data science?
- What will the work be like after I make the transition?
- What skills do I need to know before the transition? What skills can I focus on learning after the transition?
- Can I teach myself data science? Do I need a degree? Will a degree help (even if it isn’t necessary)?
- Are bootcamps a good option, for someone like me? If bootcamps aren’t a good option for me what courses (if any) should I look at?
- What is the best job search strategy? What is the most effective job search strategy?
- How can I connect with recruiters? How can I connect with hiring managers? Should I connect with recruiters or hiring managers?
- And more.
Most of these questions are difficult to answer in a broad and generally applicable way. For most folks, the answers to these questions will be unique and different.
A core business value of mine is to avoid over-generalizing and to focus on providing individualized and thoughtful advice specific to the person I’m focused on in that given conversation.