Can a neurodiverse person get into data science? And when you do, how do you make sure people see you for your ability, not what they see on the outside? This week on Would You Data Scientist, Meltem Ballan joins Wendy to tell her inspiring story of seeing something and deciding to go and get it. She also answers all the diversity questions you can think of around neurodiversity and how it impacts data.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Neurodivergent simply means someone who thinks differently from the way the majority (referred to as neurotypical) expect. ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Tourette's syndrome are all examples of neurodiverse conditions. They're diagnostic labels used to explain the diverse ways of thinking, learning, processing and behaving.
• If you are a neurodiverse person looking to get into data science, Meltem's advice is don't try to fit in, just feel like you belong.
• Meltem had an opportunity early in her career when she joined a new company and they didn't have a desk for her to sit at. She ended up being invited into the head of the department's office to work there and ended up being mentored by him and learning things she wouldn't have otherwise.

BEST MOMENTS

'Eveybodies feedback is only based on what they can see outside'

‘I'm a human centric data scientist'

EPISODE RESOURCES

Meltem on LinkedIn

Women in Data Science on LinkedIn

ndpositive.com

VALUABLE RESOURCES 

linkedin.com/in/ethicalrecruiter

qwerkrecruitment.com

@qwerkrec on socials

ABOUT THE GUEST

Meltem Ballan

“Accomplished digital technology leader, entrepreneur and startup advisor with a doctorate in complex systems (specialised in computer vision, visual cortex and natural language processing), and proven success as a data science and AI leader.

Co-founded a cloud-based AI/ML platform startup to create a community to increase the efficiency and fairness of AI/ML algorithms used in brain imaging studies. Managed large multinational and multidisciplinary projects in automotive, aviation, healthcare, software and marketing. Advised companies on technology development and M&A strategies.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Wendy Gannon started Qwerk Recruitment in the middle of the Covid Pandemic to disrupt the recruitment sector with ETHICAL data recruitment and treat everyone with love, dignity and respect. Avid Music photographer of 15 years.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Interviewing successful Data Scientists to find out about their journey into Data Science and any struggles they've faced to help next generation Data Scientists from all walks of life to access their dream career.

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