Demystifying the transition from non-tech into data science
With the rise of AI and companies becoming more data-driven, data science is an increasingly popular career choice. For those who come from a non-technical background, whether it is academic or a role in industry, transitioning into a technical role can seem daunting. However, an unconventional route into data science can offer a unique experience that may help you stand out from the crowd.
In this presentation, Rianna will share how she forged a path from a non-technical role into data science. She will give an overview of how she developed the necessary skills to transition into data science, how she utilised her previous experience to create a niche in her role, and how she effectively leveraged her network to guide her along the journey.
This event is part of our Careers in Data Science Women's Month series.
Speaker: Rianna Beaton, Data Scientist at Amazon
Rianna is a Data Scientist at Amazon with a background in academia, E-commerce, and marketing technology (MarTech).
Following her Bachelor’s in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, Rianna started her academic career as a researcher at the Centre for Family Research, Cambridge, where she completed an MPhil in Social and Developmental Psychology. Her research focused on child psychological and gender development in emerging family forms. During her studies, she held an Honorary Assistant Psychologist post at Croydon University Hospital, supporting research and neuropsychological assessments for stroke patients. On completing her research, Rianna applied her behavioural science skillset to business challenges. After designing and analysing marketing campaigns for E-commerce clients at a MarTech scale-up, she joined Amazon’s E-commerce business as a Brand Specialist. During her time in this role, she developed her technical skills, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Data Science at Birkbeck, University of London, with her final project delivering an E-commerce chatbot using ML and NLP. After completing this qualification, Rianna transitioned into tech roles at Amazon, including Business Intelligence Engineer and Data Scientist. Today, Rianna works in Amazon Fresh as a Data Scientist. She co-leads Amazon Women in Engineering, and she is committed to helping people with non-technical backgrounds transition into tech roles.