Career Journey Insights: Q&A with Jaywing's Women in Data Science

Question: Tell me about the path that you have taken in data science – from where you started until now?

Sally: “I don’t have what you might think of as the traditional background for a data scientist. I was never into science at school and although I was good at maths, languages were always my thing. I chose the Language and Linguistic Science course at York University because it focused on the structure of the French language and not the literature. When I left university however, the only thing I knew I didn’t want to do was teach. It took a couple of years trying things out like retail and branch banking before I ended up at first direct. After a stint on the phones as a credit counsellor I went for a job as a decision systems analyst in the Analysis and Development team (where Nick Sime, Malcolm Clifford and Neil Plant also worked) and the rest is (25 years or so of) history!”

Mica: “I’ve always enjoyed problem solving, even as a young child so studying Maths and Statistics at university seemed like a great fit. I didn’t realise how many careers were open to me at the time and didn’t know that Data Science was an option. I've worked in Risk across both the retail and banking sectors at companies including Secure Trust Bank, Next and Coventry Building Society before moving to a more Data Science focused role at Jaywing for the last two years.”

Carrie: “I studied accounting and finance as my degree. After graduation, I realised my passion was coding/analytics rather than accounting, so I went to Loughborough University to gain a master's degree in Business Analytic Consulting. After I graduated, I went to a company called Base 3. They provided training on SAS for two months and I was sent to Lloyds as SAS consultant after I finished the training. I spent four years in Lloyds afterwards, from a contractor to a permanent employee. Over a year ago, I decided to join Jaywing for a new challenge.”

Amy: “I started my career as a credit risk analyst in banking (for Lloyds Banking Group and HSBC), which gave me a really strong grounding in using data and analytical techniques. I gradually moved into more of a consulting role as I realised that I most enjoy being able to apply my analytics experience across a wide range of contexts and clients.”

Nikol: “I've always been passionate about technology, often being the go-to person for software and hardware issues among friends and family. My career began in an administrative role where I discovered my passion for working with complex spreadsheets, leading to my transition into a data analyst. This self-taught journey, primarily focused on Power BI, has been incredibly rewarding.”

Question: What are the key challenges you have faced as a woman in data science? 

Amy: “I found that initially I had a tendency to sit back and assume other people always knew more than me, and confidence at work was definitely a challenge. I gradually learnt techniques that have helped allow me to be more confident, particularly when speaking up in a group setting and understanding the value that I have to offer.”

Mica: “As a black woman in Data Science, the biggest challenge for me is the lack of representation. We all take inspiration from what we can see, and I would like there to be more women who look like me in this space.”

Nikol: “Balancing family responsibilities with career progression has been a significant challenge. While I don't believe missed opportunities were due to gender, the timing often coincided with personal commitments. Striking a balance between my roles as a mother and a dedicated learner continues to be a learning curve.”

Question: Tell me about any projects that you have worked on at Jaywing that you have particularly enjoyed and your best moments in Data Science?

Nikol: “Attending women in data conferences has been empowering, highlighting the supportive community in our field.”

Sally: “Being part of the team that helped Jet2 build a single customer view and generate hyper-personalised email content is a project I'm proud of.”

Carrie: “Currently, I'm working on a challenging project for a retail bank, to maximise their loan acquisition process. The learning curve has been steep, but the support from my colleagues has been invaluable.”

Amy: “Developing skills for 'in the room' exploratory analysis has been transformative. Working with one of the UK’s leading banks on a cost reduction programme has been particularly fulfilling.”

Mica: “The best moments are when I’ve completed a data science project and see it implemented by the client. It’s great to see the real time benefits of what has been done.”

Question: What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a career in data science?

Sally: “Don’t worry about not having the right degree subject – my proficiency in languages has been key to helping me learn SAS, SQL and HTML. There’s also a huge need for people who are not only technically adept but also understand how the end users will interact with the system they are developing and can communicate in non-technical terms effectively.”

Amy: “I would encourage other women starting a career in data science to take opportunities to try out different things to help build your confidence and understand what it is you enjoy and drives you at work. And don’t stop yourself from trying something because you’re afraid to fail or make a mistake!”

Mica: “Go for it! I’m very passionate about encouraging more women to get involved in STEM careers and would tell anyone who is interested to take the leap. It’s known that women are more likely to look at a role and feel like they’re not “good enough” because they don’t tick all the boxes. If you have an appetite for learning and developing and you have some of the basic skills, I say go for it!”

Nikol: “The field can feel overwhelming due to its vastness and rapid evolution. My advice is to focus on one area at a time. Experience and expertise will develop over time, so patience and perseverance are key.”

Question: How do you think businesses can do more to support women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM?

Mica: “I believe it should start from a young age by providing more awareness to girls about STEM career opportunities. This could be achieved by promotion in schools, colleges and universities. Once women are in careers, having the exposure to a variety of different projects and knowledge sharing is important.”

Carrie: “Provide necessary training. Knowledge is a key for confidence building.”

Nikol: “Effective management and mentorship are crucial for fostering confidence in emerging talent. For women, acknowledging and supporting the journey for work-life balance can make a significant difference in their professional journey. Creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture is essential for everyone's well-being.”

Amy: “Something I’m proud to say that I see at Jaywing all the time is women supporting women. If I were looking at roles now, I’d definitely be looking at other women and their experience in the business, particularly in senior positions.”

Question: What actions are Jaywing taking around recruiting, retaining and developing female talent?

Sally: “It’s great to see formal leadership development training taking place at Jaywing for those who want to take that path. I’ve always appreciated the flexibility I’ve been given to manage my own time and not have to take a whole morning off to go and see my children in school plays etc.”

Amy: “The working culture at Jaywing is great for inclusivity, and the focus is always on doing a good job. I feel that mature attitude around autonomy of working hours and patterns is incredibly valuable, especially to women.”

Nikol: “Transparency during the recruitment process is vital to set realistic expectations. Emphasising flexibility, recognition, and opportunities for learning and development can help break down barriers and encourage women to pursue and excel in their passions.

“My personal journey with Jaywing stands as a testament to these practices. I am proud to have experienced this supportive environment and am eager to continue contributing to and growing with the agency.”

To read more about how Jaywing is empowering women in STEM and inspiring future generations of data scientists click here