What does a ‘model’ day look like?
In Analytics we work in two-week-long sprints, planning all our tasks for those two weeks at the start. Day to day it varies a lot but I typically start out with admin - checking emails, slack, and my to-do list. Then we have a data science stand up and the whole team talks through their plans for the day.
After that, the rest of the day is spent working on projects - usually with meetings here and there as well, more if we’re in the office and less if we’re at home. Usually, that looks like anything from planning and designing any changes we need to make, pulling and manipulating data, planning and writing code, and testing new processes. Once the more hands-on technical tasks are done, I also spend time updating and writing documentation and reports, as well as reviewing other team members’ code.
We all work on a number of different projects that relate to different parts of the business. So far this quarter, I’ve been working on a data application (ACS) which monitors certain areas of the business, such as loans, compliance, and systems, as well as improving and running one of our Analytics financial models (the Asset Model). The output of the Asset Model is used for a variety of different activities, like budgeting. In Data Science, we also work with other teams when they need Analytics support. For example, someone might need a particular metric added to a report, or maybe an analysis of a particular customer type or behaviour - that’s where we come in.
What’s the best thing about the job?
Working as a data scientist, I’d say the best part of the job is being able to work on projects from all different areas of the business. I get exposure to what other teams are doing and get to know people at Fluro, who I may not as easily cross paths with. Similarly, another thing that I enjoy about the job is our culture: it’s encouraged to ask questions and get help from team members - everyone is always willing to share their experience and knowledge with others, both inside and outside of the Data Science and wider Analytics teams.
Another thing I really like is how much I’ve been able to learn since joining the team at Fluro - I’ve been able to get to grips with (and upskill) using technologies I hadn’t had a chance to use before.
Favourite book / film / tv show / joke / flavour crisp / etc?
I enjoy documentaries a lot. I’m a big fan of airline and airport documentaries in general, but lately I’ve been enjoying Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix. It’s a docu-series on Formula 1 they’ve been making since 2018 and I’ve just finished season 1. It’s fascinating to see the amount that goes into the sport behind the scenes (even if it is a bit over-dramatised on the programme at times)!
I wouldn’t say I have one favourite book but a few I’ve really enjoyed over the last couple of years are Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 by Nam-ju Cho, and Lunch with the FT: 52 Classic Interviews.
My favourite crisp flavours are salt and vinegar, paprika, and Lays India’s magic masala!
Something that people might not know about you?
Originally, at university, I studied German and Politics and spent one year living in Austria working as an English teaching assistant. These days it’s hard to keep up my German but I try my best to watch and read German media so I don’t forget too much!
