Buffalo State Data Talk: Recent Episodes

Buffalo State Data Science and Analytics

The Buffalo State Data Talk podcast introduces you to how data is used and explores careers that involve data.

For transcripts of each episode visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/buffalo-state-data-talk-podcast.

Interested in being interviewed or have comments or questions. Contact us at datatalk@buffalostate.edu.

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Buffalo State Data Talk is produced by members of the Industry Advisory Board (https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/advisory-board) of the Data Science and Analytics program at SUNY Buffalo State College. A special thank you to all the members of the Podcast Committee: Brian Barrey, Podcast Committee Chair Heather Campbell Mohammad Haque Barbara Olsafsky Eric Walker Karl Wende Kimberley Herrington

Music by Mohammad Haque.

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October 1, 2022

Episode 23: Automotive Industry Analytics an Interview with Data Analysts and their Tech Recruiter at ACV Auctions

In this episode Andrew Melbourne, a recruiter, Maggie Mai, a product analytics team lead, and John Ghosen, analytics engineer from ACV auctions will talk about what kind of data analytics ACV Auctions does. Listen to the episode to learn about how their career paths lead to this area, the ACV hiring process for data analysts, and Maggie’s advice for communicating with non-data scientists.

0:00 Intro

0:48 What does ACV do?

1:50 What Maggie, John, and Andrew do at ACV

7:00 How is your time split between working alone or as a team?

8:00 What software and programming languages do you use?

9:19 What kind of skills are ACV looking for when hiring?

11:26 Communicating non-data scientists

14:17 Favorite part of being a data analyst

15:25 Professional development

19:28 John and Maggie’s career path

22:40 The interview process at ACV

24:53 Advice for people interested in data analysts

25:09 Resources for data analysts

26:48 Outro

Resources

  • StackOverflow
  • W3Schools
  • 3Blue1Brown
  • Careers at ACV
  • Andrew Melbourne LinkedIn

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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September 1, 2022

Episode 22: Ethics and Health Insurance data with Onyinye Daniel from Highmark Health

In this episode Onyinye Daniel, Vice President, Data & Analytics Strategy at Highmark Health, talks about her career in healthcare from the research side, to working at a hospital and now on the payer side in health insurance. Listen to the episode to learn how Onyinye’s background in health policy and bioethics has shaped her career.

0:00 Intro 

0:34 What Onyinye does at a VP at Highmark Health 

3:28 What data does Highmark have? 

5:41 How does Highmark use their data? 

8:03 What software does Highmark use to analyze data 

11:16 The challenge of building a data science team 

12:16 Professional development for data scientists 

14:39 Onyinye’s career path 

17:13 Ethics in data science 

19:05 Differences of working in different healthcare roles 

22:20 Resources for new data scientists 

22:55 Advice for new data scientists 

24:10 Outro 

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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August 1, 2022

Episode 21: The Importance of Data Management with Scott Taylor, The Data Whisperer

In this episode Scott Taylor, The Data Whisperer and Principal Consultant for Meta Meta Consulting, talks about how to tell a better story so that your company can focus on the importance of data management. Scott also talks about the importance of knowing your business and his experience working in consulting.

0:00 Intro

0:53 What Scott does

4:25 Scott’s favorite part of his job

6:24 Scotts career path from History to data management

11:15 What education do you need to be a data scientist

14:06 Consulting

18:09 Improving your communication

19:40 Using LinkedIn for Business

20:51 Resources for Data Scientists

22:47 Scotts advice for new data scientists

24:14 Outro

Resources:

  • Scott's YouTube
  • Scott's Book Telling Your Data Story
  • MetaMeta Consulting
  • People to follow

    • Kate Strachnyi
    • Andrew Jones
    • Dave Langer
    • Susan Walsh
    • George Firican
  • Data science resources

    • https://www.kdnuggets.com/
    • Start with Why book
  • Communication resources

    • 110 Techniques of Communication
    • Using Video to Build Relationships

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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July 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 20: Data insights and action, an interview with Sunita Menon a Global Data Ambassador for a Top Professional Services Firm

In this episode Sunita Menon, a Global Data Ambassador for a top professional Services Firm, talks about the importance of remembering the goal of gaining insights from data is to take action.

0:00 Intro

2:04 What is a professional series firm?

2:36 What Sunita does

4:45 What kind of data Sunita uses

7:06 The results from the data

9:17 Defining data

11:49 Sunita’s favorite part of her job

12:23 Data for PR and communications

14:23 Sunita’s career path

16:03 Professional development

17:39 Utilizing LinkedIn

20:08 Advice for new data scientists

23:37 Outro

Resources

  • A Simple Framework to appreciate Data-Driven Excellence
  • Sunita's LinkedIn
  • Data Storytelling resources links
    • Storytelling with data: Overview | LinkedIn
    • Brent Dykes | LinkedIn
  • Book recommendations
    • Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
    • Effective Data Storytelling by Brent Dykes
    • Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand By William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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June 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 19: Healthcare data an interview with Karen Hall, Program Manager for Population Health Collaborative

In this episode Karen Hall, the Program Manager for Population Health Collaborative, talks about how she uses healthcare data to improve the health of Western New York. Listen to the episode to learn how Karen analyses publicly available data to create plans with community partners with an emphasis on Social Determinants of Health. Don’t forget to stick around for the end where she provides some nontraditional tips for growing your network.

0:00 Intro

0:44 What Karen does

6:14 What data do you use?

7:42 What do you do with the data?

9:46 The results of the data

10:24 How do you analyze your data?

11:25 Karen’s favorite part of her job

12:44 Social Determinants of Health and why they are important

17:46 Karen’s background

19:50 Karen’s nontraditional tips to grow your network

22:09 How to get into contact with Karen

22:54 Outro

Resources

  • https://www.livewellwny.org/
  • Interested in learning more about social determinants of health
    • https://www.cdc.gov/
    • http://www.ihi.org/
    • https://rhnscny.org/
  • Connect with Karen Hall
    • khall@phcwny.org

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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May 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 18: Data Governance in Higher Education with George Firican, Director of Data Governance and BI at the University of British Columbia

In this episode George Firican, Director of Data Governance and BI at the University of British Columbia and founder of LightsOnData talks about how his team uses data to help fundraise for the university. Listen to the episode to learn some of George’s favorite resources for budding data scientists and tips for growing your career.

0:00 Intro

0:38 What George does as the Director of Data Governance and BI at the University of British Columbia

4:29 Members of George’s data team and what they do

7:36 What data does George work with

9:05 Example of how the University used data to maximize alumni engagement

13:32 George’s career path

15:53 LightsOnData

19:43 Tips for utilizing LinkedIn

21:47 Advice for new data analysis

25:00 Outro

Resources

  • Lights on Data
  • Lights on Data Show Podcast
  • George Firican on LinkedIn
  • AI & ML by Tom Ives
  • DATAcated

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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April 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 17: HR people analytics an interview with Kevyn Rustici, Area Vice President for Gallagher

In this episode Kevyn Rustici Area Vice President - Strategic Human Capital Consultant for Gallagher - talks about human analytics. How companies can use data to improve the lives of their employees and the company. Listen to the episode to learn Kevyn’s tips for getting a job or internship and how to stay up to date as a data scientist.

0:00 Intro

0:36 What Kevyn does as a VP at Gallagher

2:59 What data Kevyn uses and how he uses it

10:36 What software and programming languages Kevyn uses

11:43 What technologies should you learn for the future

12:49 The importance of knowing what you want from your data

14:35 What made Kevyn want to work with data

16:06 Professional development

17:22 Advice for new data analysts

18:58 Tips for getting a job or internship

20:14 Building relationships to improve your career

21:23 Outro

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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March 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 16: Data Visualization with Tableau an interview with Ray Givler, Senior Decision Consultant for Highmark

In this episode Ray Givler, Senior Decision Consultant for Highmark, talks about creating data visualizations for a healthcare organization using Tableau. Ray talks about how he finds fulfillment in his career through Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. Listen to the episode to learn Rays advice for new data scientists and how to start your career in data visualization.

0:00 Intro

0:34 What Ray does as a Senior Decision Consultant for Highmark

4:07 The data Ray uses and the results

7:12 What software Ray utilizes

10:56 Overcoming challenges

14:07 Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose in your career

16:41 How to get a data viz job

17:46 What skills students should learn before they graduate

21:00 Utilizing LinkedIn

22:00 Advice for data scientists

23:13 Outro

Resources:

  • Culture Eats Perks for Breakfast
  • Ray Givler Tableau Public
  • How I learned Tableau
  • SQL training

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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February 1, 2022

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 15: Data Cleaning and Classification an interview with Susan Walsh Founder and Managing Director of The Classification Guru

In this episode Susan Walsh, the Managing Director of The Classification Guru, talks about how her company specializes in cleaning and classifying data for their clients. Susan shares how she works to make data fun and relatable through her company and her LinkedIn presence.

0:00 Intro

0:36 What Susan’s company does

2:50 A week in the life of Susan Walsh

4:11 The data and what needs to be cleaned

8:16 Susan’s book Between the Spreadsheets

10:01 Benefits from cleaning your data

10:49 Susan’s favorite part of her job

11:34 Growing her business on LinkedIn

15:55 Susan’s advice for new data scientists

17:57 Does your data have a COAT?

18:52 Outro

Resources

  • Follow Susan on LinkedIn
  • Buy Susan's Book Between the Spreadsheets

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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December 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 14: Non-profit evaluation, asking the right questions, an interview with Tristan Keelan Director of Business Development for CCNY

In this episode Tristan Keelan, the Director of Business Development for CCNY, talks about how they evaluate data for non-profits. Tristan shares how listening to clients and asking the right questions allows him to provide insights that help these companies improve their communities.

0:00- Intro

0:39 What Tristan does for CCNY

2:35 Data storage and tools

7:23 Cleaning and analyzing the data

9:50 Sharing the results

11:15 Making a difference with data

16:12 Trauma Informed Data

20:23 Tips for learning new data science tools

21:41 Professional development

22:28 CCNY podcast

24:39 Outro

Resources

  • Trauma informed data CCNY blog post
  • Why Quality Improvement needs to be Trauma Informed
  • CCNY Podcast

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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December 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 13: Information Management and Data Governance an interview with Angela Horton, Director of Data Quality and Accuracy at a large Health Care Organization

In this episode Angela Horton Director of Data Quality and Accuracy at a large Health Care Organization walks through the data life cycle and shares information about the importance of data quality and data governance. Listen to this episode to learn how Angela got where she is and how data is used at the health care organization she works for.

0:00 Intro

0:42 What Angela does as Director of Data Quality and Accuracy at a large Health Care Organization

3:42 The data and what they do with it

7:18 Careers through the data life cycle

10:10 Resources for professional development

11:28 Data Governance

15:54 Angela’s background and career path

20:39 Angela’s advice for people who want to be a data scientist

23:22 Outro

Resources

  • Courses

    • https://www.udemy.com/
  • PowerBI

    • Guy in a cube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFp1vaKzpfvoGai0vE5VJ0w
  • Books

    • Get Governed by Morgan Templar
    • Non-Invasive Data Governance by Robert Seiner

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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November 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 12: SEO and Marketing, an interview with Nathan Hall from the Better Business Bureau

Episode 12 features part 2 of our two-part series with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In this episode Nathan Hall shares his experiences as a SEO analyst who uses Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics to find anomalies and investigate the reason for changes in website traffic. He also supports multiple local BBB’s helping them to make data driven decisions and update their digital marketing based on algorithm changes. Listen to this episode to hear Nathan’s thoughts on how to know if being an analyst is right for you.

0:00 Intro

0:46 What Nathan does for BBB, website analytics, SEO and more

8:34 Who does Nathan work with?

10:12 How he analyses the data21:

15:06 Impacts of Nathan’s work

15:57 Advice for new data analysts

17:58 How to become a SEO analyst

21:41 Should you be an analyst?

22:32 Outro

Resources

Search Engine Land

Search Engine Round Table

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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October 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 11: Marketing and Social Media Analytics, an interview with Melanie McGovern and Lauren Kirchmyer from the Better Business Bureau

Episode 11 features part 1 of our two-part series talking to people from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In this episode Melanie McGovern and Lauren Kirchmyer share how they use data to improve their outreach and social media marketing and show their accredited businesses the value that they bring. By leveraging their backgrounds in journalism and communications and continuously improving through professional development and networking they are able to successfully communicate information to the multiple audiences that the BBB serves. Don’t miss part 2, which will be released November 1st, with Nathan Hall, an SEO analyst for International Association of BBBs

  • 0:00 Intro
  • 0:39 What does the BBB do?
  • 0:52 What Melanie and Lauren do
  • 5:11 Networking tips
  • 7:55 BBB social media analytics
  • 11:20 BBB scam tracker
  • 13:51 Challenges of working in marketing
  • 15:48 Professional development
  • 17:24 Data Analytics with a background in journalism
  • 23:22 Managing your digital presence
  • 24:53 Outro

Check out the BBB scam tracker here: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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September 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Internship Mini-series

This is the final episode in the Buffalo State Data Talk Summer 2021 mini-series all about internships. This series will explore the process of finding and making the most of an internship. We will be focusing on the field of data science and analytics but many of these tips will be applicable to numerous fields and also if you are searching for a job. From networking to acing that interview our experienced panel of guests will provide excellent tips and tricks to land you your next internship.

This episode will focus on the internship. Once you have finally landed the position what can you do to make the most of the experience and what do you do when your internship is over.

0:00 - Intro

1:39 - How to make the most of your internship

7:02 - How to turn an internship into a job

10:18 - What should you do if you don’t like you internship

14:51 - What to do when the internship is over

16:56 - Advice for your first internship

19:11 - Outro

Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast by connecting with us on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/school/buffa...

Interested in a career in data science? Visit https://dataanalytics.buffalostate.edu/ to learn more.

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August 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Internship Mini-series

This is the third episode in the Buffalo State Data Talk Summer 2021 mini-series all about internships. This series will explore the process of finding and making the most of an internship. We will be focusing on the field of data science and analytics but many of these tips will be applicable to numerous fields and also if you are searching for a job. From networking to acing that interview our experienced panel of guests will provide excellent tips and tricks to land you your next internship.

Connect with us on LinkedIn 

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

This episode will focus on the application process for getting an internship. From writing your cover letter and resume to acing that interview.

0:00-Intro

01:51- Application errors to avoid

03:17- Resume

10:20- Cover Letter

12:34- Interview

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July 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Internship Mini-series

This is the second episode in the Buffalo State Data Talk Summer 2021 mini-series all about internships. This series will explore the process of finding and making the most of an internship. We will be focusing on the field of data science and analytics but many of these tips will be applicable to numerous fields and also if you are searching for a job. From networking to acing that interview our experienced panel of guests will provide excellent tips and tricks to land you your next internship.

Internship Networking and LinkedIn: building digital relationships This episode will focus on networking, why it is important, how it can help you get an internship and build your career with a specific focus on digital networking and using LinkedIn.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Virtual Networking for Nerds- https://aas.org/posts/news/2020/03/free-webinar-how-network-and-find-collaborations-afar

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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June 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Internship Mini-series

This is the first episode in the Buffalo State Data Talk Summer 2021 mini-series all about internships. This series will explore the process of finding and making the most of an internship. We will be focusing on the field of data science and analytics but many of these tips will be applicable to numerous fields and also if you are searching for a job. From networking to acing that interview our experienced panel of guests will provide excellent tips and tricks to land you your next internship. Internship basics: Where do I start? This episode will start with internship basics what is an internship?, why might you want to have one?, and how to find an internship?

  • 0:00 Intro
  • 1:52 Difference between an internship and a job
  • 3:13 Our panel’s Internship experiences
  • 6:34 Benefits of an internship
  • 7:59 First step in finding an internship
  • 11:10 Who hired interns?
  • 11:40 Paid vs unpaid internships
  • 13:06 When should you apply?
  • 15:06 What if a company you are interested in isn’t hiring interns
  • 17:38 I’Jaz’s favorite part of her internship

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/

https://hwi.buffalo.edu/nsf-bioxfel-internships/

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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May 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 10: NFL, football, and data analytics, an interview with Shuler Cotton a data analyst with the Buffalo Bills

Episode 10 features Shuler Cotton, a data analyst for the Buffalo Bills. Shuler analyzes the football data from the team and players to answer questions and create automation. Tune in to hear what Shuler did to get a job in an industry he loves and what it is like working for the Bills.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:24 What does a data analyst for the Buffalo Bills do?
  • 3:50 Working on a data team
  • 5:55 What data does Shuler use and how does he analyze it?
  • 9:02 What Schuler loves most about his job with the Bills
  • 9:56 Schuler’s education and career path
  • 12:09 What education and skills do you need to become a data analyst
  • 15:44 What started Shuler on his path?
  • 17:32 Professional development as a data analyst
  • 19:24 What Shuler wished he knew before he started working in data science
  • 20:45 Shuler’s final comments
  • 21:43 Outro

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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April 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 9: Storytelling and data visualization, social determinants of health, an interview with Kimberly Herrington a data journalist and founder of Buffalo Business Intelligence

Episode 9 features Kimberly Herrington, a data journalist and founder of Buffalo Business Intelligence. Kim shares stories about how data she has analyzed has helped bring meaning to people’s work and how her analysis connected people who uncovered forgotten information. Tune in to hear how she utilizes all the skills she gained in her untraditional background to successfully help people to tell their stories using data.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:06 What does a data journalist do?
  • 3:19 What skills are most important for data journalists
  • 4:37 A day in the life of a data journalist
  • 6:47 What happens in meetings
  • 7:59 Data Journalist reports
  • 9:43 Kim’s motivation and making an impact
  • 11:52 Building a data community (Buffalo Business Intelligence)
  • 14:58 WNY map for Social Determinants of Health
  • 19:04 Internet access in WNY – finding dark fiber
  • 21:03 Seek, Solicit and speak data
  • 25:01 Join Buffalo Business Intelligence
  • 26:03 Outro

Kimberly Herrington's LinkedIn

Buffalo Business Intelligence on FB

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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March 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 8: Decision making and bias, an interview with Peter Yacobucci from Buffalo State College

Episode 8 features Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science and public administration at Buffalo State College. Peter walks us through how he collects and analyzes data and how his results have influenced the decisions of future court rulings. Tune in to hear how his round-about pathway lead to a career in analytics and his advice for how to be successful in your career. 

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:01 Peter’s Research
  • 4:10 The Hobby Lobby case
  • 8:08 Peter’s career path
  • 13:24 Living in Buffalo
  • 14:41 Data Science in Political Science
  • 17:41 Skills needed to be a data scientist
  • 20:48 Outlook for Data Scientist jobs
  • 21:47 Outro

Connect with us on LinkedIn 

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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February 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 7: Marketing analytics, making magic happen with mathematics, an interview with John O’Hara from the Walt Disney Company

Episode 7 features John O’Hara, a marketing Analytics & Insights Manager at The Walt Disney Company. John talks about how his background in applied mathematics (including a Master’s degree from the Professional Applied and Computational Mathematics program at Buffalo State College) launched his career as an analyst and lead to his current job at Disney. Tune in to hear about his advice for building your network, what it is like working for the Walt Disney Company and how he handles projects involving large data sets.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:01 John’s position at Disney
  • 3:56 Working in a data science team
  • 5:15 Personal development
  • 6:33 Networking and LinkedIn
  • 8:59 John’s favorite part of his job
  • 10:04 Challenges of working in data science
  • 11:28 John’s career journey
  • 13:57 Potential careers for students with a math degree, like John
  • 15:58 Skills needed to be a data scientist
  • 18:43 Advice for new data scientists
  • 21:33 Outro

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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January 1, 2021

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 6: Health insurance data, from analyst to data scientist, an interview with Christopher Bole from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York

Episode 6 featured Christopher Bole, a data scientist for BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. Chris talks about his career path starting as an analyst and moving to a data scientist. Listen to this episode to hear his advice for starting your career, the skills he thinks you need to be successful, and how his work has made improvements for his company and their clients.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:09 Chris’s job at BlueCross BlueShield
  • 1:47 Main job responsibilities
  • 4:11 Networking in data science
  • 6:02 Chris’s favorite part of his job
  • 7:41 Challenges of working in data science
  • 8:46 Chris’s career journey
  • 11:28 Skills needed to be a data scientist
  • 13:05 Software that Chris utilizes as a data scientist working in healthcare insurance
  • 15:37 Impact that Chris makes at BlueCross BlueShield
  • 16:42 Why Chris chooses to live and work in Buffalo NY
  • 17:28 Advice for new data scientists
  • 19:14 Outro

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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December 1, 2020

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 5: Sports technology, providing usable data, an interview with Katherine Aiken from the University at Buffalo division of Athletics technology

Episode 5 features Katherine Aiken, the Director of Technology Services and Performance Technology for University at Buffalo Athletics. Kathy talks about how she became involved in sports technology, the importance of providing data and technology that is the right fit, and finding a your niche.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:08 Technology services in athletics
  • 2:12 What Kathy does
  • 5:44 Athletics technology team, their roles and background
  • 7:32 Kathy’s background
  • 10:20 Best part of working in sports technology
  • 11:19 Types of technology used in different sports
  • 15:22 Monitoring health
  • 16:21 Different areas in sports technology
  • 17:41 Analyzing the data
  • 21:34 How to get started in sports technology
  • 23:44 New technologies
  • 25:00 Why Kathy chooses to live and work in Buffalo NY
  • 25:38 Outro

Connect with us on LinkedIn

  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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November 1, 2020

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 4: Biomedical research, applying data science skills to the medical field, an interview with Bill Bauer from Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute

Episode 4 features Bill Bauer, the Education and Diversity Director at Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute located in Buffalo, NY. Bill talks about advice for networking and starting a data analysis career in the biomedical field.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 0:37 Hauptman Woodward Institute and BioXFEL Center
  • 3:24 What Bill does
  • 4:16 Networking tips
  • 5:49 How to find a mentor
  • 7:02 Research done at the BioXFEL center
  • 9:19 Team members who do the research
  • 13:10 Skills needed to work in biomedical data science
  • 15:56 Technology used in biomedical data science
  • 17:19 Results of research from the BioXFEL
  • 19:04 Why should you live and work in Buffalo
  • 19:36 Biomedical industry in Buffalo
  • 20:35 Advice to new data scientists
  • 22:21 Why Bill recommends completing an internship
  • 23:08 Outro

Links shared during interview:

Alaina Levine Networking Seminar - Networking for Nerds: Create Your Dream Career-Alaina G. Levine-Keynote Speaker

National Research mentoring network -https://nrmnet.net/#undergradPopup

The Coder School - https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/buffalo/

Hauptman Woodward Internships - https://hwi.buffalo.edu/education/

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October 1, 2020

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 3: Cybersecurity, threat hunting and other industry skills, an interview with Jeff Rathmann from Silo City IT

Episode 3 features Jeff Rathmann, the CEO of Silo City IT a cybersecurity and pen testing firm located in Buffalo, NY. Jeff talks about his job as a cyber security expert, skills needed to excel in the industry, and shares is favorite resources for becoming a better cyber security specialist.

For more information about the conference Jeff talked about visit https://www.defcon.org/ and watch some of the panel discussions. To get started in cybersecurity Jeff suggests checking out https://www.wireshark.org/ which provides many tutorials and free training or https://github.com/ which has lots of free training.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 0:40 What is cybersecurity?
  • 1:31 What does a cybersecurity firm do?
  • 4:01 Working as the CEO of a cybersecurity firm
  • 7:33 Jeff’s favorite part of working in cybersecurity
  • 10:00 Challenges of working internationally for the US military
  • 12:24 Skills needed to work in cybersecurity
  • 19:17 Technology used in cybersecurity
  • 25:05 What to do if you are interested in starting a career in cybersecurity
  • 27:22 Outro

Learn more about Jeff’s Company here https://www.silocityit.com/.

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September 1, 2020

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 2: Non-profit evaluation, a data career without a STEM background, an interview with Jessica Weitzel from VIA Evaluation, a woman owned business

Summary: Episode 2 features Jessica Weitzel, the president and Co-owner of VIA Evaluation an evaluation firm located in Buffalo, NY. Jessica talks about how her background in English helps her to better understand the implications of her data. She also gives advice for students starting in data science including tips for networking and starting a new job.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 0:43 What is an evaluation firm and what do they do?
  • 3:39 Women owned business
  • 5:10 Role of a president/CEO
  • 10:12 Networking advice
  • 12:50 Best part of working at an evaluation firm
  • 13:40 How Jessica got where she is today
  • 20:02 The diversity of careers in data science
  • 21:46 Outro

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August 1, 2020

Buffalo State Data Talk

Episode 1: Automation in manufacturing, how human interactions fit with data, an interview with Achintya Pillai from Panasonic/Tesla in Buffalo

Summary: Episode 1 features Achintya Pillai, a data scientist who worked for Panasonic at the Tesla Giga factor in Buffalo. Achintya talks about his experience working as a data scientist in manufacturing including how automation can reduce human error. We also learn about his journey to becoming a data scientist and his advice for those who want to follow the same path.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 0:50 Day-to-day schedule of a manufacturing data scientist
  • 3:53 Achintya’s journey to become a data scientist
  • 5:01 Important skills data scientists should develop
  • 6:53 Example of a data scientist team, their roles, and the work that they do
  • 11:52 The most challenging part of being a data scientist
  • 14:45 Interesting data science challenges in manufacturing – manufacturing 4.0
  • 19:58 The future of data science
  • 21:22 The interdisciplinary nature of data science
  • 22:55 Advice for future data scientists
  • 24:39 Outro

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  • Learn more about data science and stay up to date with the podcast

Visit the Data Science and Analytics Website

  • Visit our website to learn how you can start or grow your career in data science

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Check out what will be coming on August 1st when we launch the first episode of Buffalo State Data Talk.