Intrepid podcaster Caitlin Zhang is back. In her further efforts to learn as much as possible about finding her first job (convocation is just a few weeks away), Caitlin interviews MA in Economics alumna Susan Shu Chang of the class of 2019, Principal Data Scientist at Elastic. Chang is also the author of the book Machine Learning Interviews: Kickstart Your Machine Learning and Data Career.
Caitlin distilled what she learned from this author-data scientist in a brief Q &A session to close out this 6-part series.
Department of Economics: Susan talks about the self-learning she did to enhance how her MA in economics could be put to use in industry. What are your impressions of on-going self-learning after convocation?
Caitlin Zhang: After finishing my last semester, I began preparing to join a financial services company, where I need to obtain several licenses before starting the position. That’s how I manage my own schedule between a couple of part-time jobs and studying. It’s been going very well, I’m able to control and determine when I study and when I take the exams, so it’s not stressful anymore. I’m actually looking forward to seeing what comes after this phase of studying.
DOE: There are a lot of things going on in Susan’s career apart from her position at Elastic, including her books! Are you doing other things on the side while you look for a full-time job?
CZ: Besides working on obtaining licenses, I’m studying French, working with a start-up and looking forward to new opportunities.
DOE: Now that you’re drawing the podcast series to a close, what would you say are the three most important ways what you have learned has changed your job search?
CZ: Through this podcast and conversations with alumni, I’ve learned to keep an open mind and see what opportunities may come next. The second one is learning how to effectively communicate what I want with industry professionals, how to ask questions more efficiently and understand their responses more thoroughly. This skill has been strengthened through my conversations with alumni. Last, but not least, I’ve learned to believe in myself more and question my abilities and experiences less.
Did you miss part of this podcast series? Listen to episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, or episode 5.
Return to the Department of Economics website.
Scroll more news.