By – Beveline Sambu
Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Nicole Dhruv, Data Scientist Manager VP, for an inspiring speaker session. Her talk was a treasure trove of insights and practical advice for anyone navigating the complex world of data and Analytics.
She emphasized that, aside from being a ‘tech bro,’ she has a deep passion for farming! She owns a farm, loves animals, and finds joy in this unexpected hobby. Before moving into data science, she was in research science. What fueled the switch? Her innate curiosity and the desire to learn more about data. This led to her Data and Storytelling Journey.
She enrolled in an analytics program to bridge the gap. “I had a hard time finding the balance between work, studying, and life. “I wasn’t the perfect example of work-life balance,” she admitted, “but I’d do better if I were to go back.” Despite the difficulties, the effort was well worth it and paid off immensely.
However, the journey to data science wasn’t easy. The challenge of applying to 30+ jobs with little to no feedback was almost overwhelming. She did mock interviews with friends and practiced her technical skills using coding challenges from sites like Reddit and built her portfolio through side projects.
Out of the numerous applications she submitted, she received two offers over a period of 6-8 months. “You have to be patient. Learn to be patient. You are competing with thousands of applicants. Leverage the transferable skills that you currently have. This will go a long way. Brush up your technical skills as well – Python ,SAS and Alteryx. These are key in the industry.”
So, how did she make the cut? By finding the right fit, narrowing her scope, and maintaining confidence. She advised not to pass up opportunities just because they are not in your desired industry. At that point, she needed just one “yes.”
She excelled in her interview by being authentic and discussing her passion for data and storytelling. This made a lasting impression and led to a referral from the interviewer to JPMorgan Chase! She started as a Data Visualization Associate and worked her way up to her current role as Data Scientist Manager, a position she secured by networking with one of her clients while she was a Sales Science Data Scientist.
Her closing remarks were, “You need just one yes. Continue to search and be relentless. Put yourself out there. As an introvert, I had to force myself to do that. I needed to.”
