Head of Data Science & AI at Sia Partners, Simon Hessam Hessami joins Wendy this week on Would You Data Scientist, not just to talk about his career in data but also to discuss being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. As it's Pride Month, it's important to talk about how to make sure LGBTQIA+ people aren't facing any challenges in the workplace, especially those challenges that can be easily avoided with a little understanding. There's also all the usual questions on how to get into data, the applications of technology, and evil billionaires. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Simon believes that through doing a masters degree you will gain value from any internships you do and it can be a good path to getting into or pivoting into data science. 
• When you're working with clients or customers you need to keep in mind that you're solving their problems for them using data. You need to understand their needs and bring their needs into your solution to actually answer the question they want you to answer. There's more people skills needed in data than you might think.
• When you are yourself and embrace who you are, you're more comfortable in any environment. Simon feels like society is changing towards LGBTQIA+ issues and the conversations he has had with people about it would not have been possible 20 or 30 years ago. 
• When you are LGBTQIA+, it can feel like you need to come out again every time you start a new job. Also you might have to face the challenge of people using the wrong pronouns for you. Wendy's tip is to not assume anyones pronouns, if you're in HR, ask what they prefer and introduce them to the team as that. If you don't know, they/them are always safe to use. 
• Translating from technical to non-technical is so key for data. You need to be able to explain what you're doing, why you're doing it, and most importantly what the result is. If you can't convince someone that your solution is the best solution, they're not going to use it. 

BEST MOMENTS

‘Working for a non-profit balanced out my Karma' 

‘You need to understand their needs and bring all this together in your solution' 

‘Love yourself and express that to everyone in your circle' 

‘Every time you start a new job it's like you have to come out again' 

‘For data science experts it's important to deliver the message well, it's more important than having the best model' 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Simon on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/ethicalrecruiter

qwerkrecruitment.com

@qwerkrec on socials

ABOUT THE GUEST 

“Turning ideas into real data solutions & services. As a mathematician & data scientist, I aim at making data understandable by giving them an analytical spirit. My background in mathematics and statistics helps me to develop tools, models and machine learning algorithms with strong predictive and analytical capabilities.

With over ten years of academic & industry experience in data science and business. I have solid experience working in developing AI-powered solutions in different services and industries such as marketing, finance, supply chain, healthcare, and pharmaceutical. I also founded a non-profit tech platform to facilitate personal data sharing with academic institutions to support impactful research. I am also very interested in Metaverse and data privacy.

Today, I am the Head of the UK & Ireland AI Center of Excellence in Sia Partners. Sia Partners is a next-generation management consulting firm and pioneer of Consulting 4.0, offering a unique blend of AI and design capabilities across multiple industries.”

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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