Career Advice
There is a gap between what is taught at universities and what skills are actually useful in the industry. This page offers resources with the kind of information I wish I had had access to as a grad student. Some of it is geared specifically at PhD scientists, but if you’re an undergraduate or master’s student, you will also find useful information.
I also host a podcast on which I demystify technology careers and discuss everything from interview strategies to networking and finding a job that’s a good fit for you. Expect to learn about:
- Exploring different tech roles: day-to-day work in roles such as data science and product management, insider tips on qualifications, and how to succeed.
- Career path stories: personal experiences and guest stories about unique paths in tech careers.
- Skills development: insights on essential skills for a technology career, including technical and soft skills.
- Emerging technologies: the impact of technologies like AI on career opportunities.
- Work-life balance in tech: flexibility and remote work opportunities in technology careers.
- Navigating tech interviews: Tips and strategies for succeeding in tech interviews.
- Building a network: effective networking strategies based on developing genuine relationships.
- Online branding for tech professionals: how to build an online presence.
Are you a student?
I teach undergraduate and graduate data science and big data econometrics at the University of Southern California, and I have coached many students on job search and interview tactics. Getting your first job is the hardest because you often have no experience and don’t know precisely how to go about the process. In today’s competitive job market, working hard and being smart about it is important. You should engage in activities that make you stand out as a candidate and provide credible signals about your potential as an employee.
Are you looking for guidance?
Are you considering a career change?
I have seen people with different backgrounds launch successful technology careers. For example, academic researchers are often technically qualified but may not have the right coding skills or understand how to format their resume to sell those skills to a tech recruiter or hiring manager. Once you work in tech, you can relatively easily transition between some roles as long as you learn a few extra skills; for example, economists can become technical product managers, and data analysts can become data scientists.
Are you thinking about a career change and would like some feedback?
Blog Posts
How to become a data scientist: Beyond Programming and Statistics
Read my latest post on insideBIGDATA. As an aspiring data scientist, you may wonder what it takes to stand out in a competitive job market….
Navigating the econ job market
Most econ PhD students somewhat dread the econ job market. I hosted an episode of the ECON-versations with NABE podcast, in which we discussed navigating…
What does an economist do? The rising role of economists in the public and private sectors
I recently had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion organized by the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education (WACEFE). WACEFE was formed…
How to land an entry-level data science job – A Step-By-Step Guide
Are you looking to enter data science but don’t know where to start? Are you asking yourself how to land an entry-level data science job…
Top interview questions data science job seekers fail
Are you a data science enthusiast looking for your first job in the field? Have you spent countless hours studying and practicing but still had…
Podcast episodes
Mastering LinkedIn: from Employee to Entrepreneur | Skylar Steudter
Skylar Steudter is a former LinkedIn employee turned entrepreneur. In this episode, Skylar shares his journey, shedding light on the nuances of LinkedIn’s algorithm, the…
Tech economist lifestyle and career tips | Rachel Lee
Rachel is an applied scientist at Uber. We discuss her transition from academia to tech and the value of an economics degree in the industry….
Cómo superar el síndrome del impostor y encontrar mentores | Mardoqueo Arteaga
Esta es la segunda parte de mi conversación con Mardoqueo Arteaga. Tocamos un tema que afecta a muchos en el ámbito académico y profesional: el…
Networking tips and building relationships in the professional world | Mardoqueo Arteaga
Mardoqueo Arteaga is an economist at KPMG. We discuss his experience transitioning from a PhD program to the real world. Mardoqueo shares his insights on…
The role of happiness in economic policy | Kelsey J. O’Connor
Kelsey is an economist and a researcher of well-being at STATEC Research in Luxembourg. We discuss the economics of happiness, the importance of happiness research…
Sales strategies, solving business problems, and hard work | John Frechette
John Frechette is the founder of Sourced Economics. His mission is to bridge the gap between business and economics, and his company utilizes academic research…
Predictive models and career perspectives | Luca Silvan Becker
Luca is a Research Scientist at Amazon, and previously, he was a Senior Economist at Zillow. We discuss everything from getting a job, assessing your…
Hard skills vs. soft skills | Andreas Aristidou
Andreas Aristidou is a PhD economist and a Senior Data Scientist at Netflix. In our conversation, we dive deep into navigating the tech industry, from…