Meet Josip – a Data Expert extraordinaire🔥

Josip is a stand-out data and analytics expert with a track record of generating valuable, actionable business, and customer insights, passionate about enabling people and businesses to understand the language of data and the power of data-driven decisions.

Meet Josip – a Data Expert extraordinaire 🔥

Brainster: Right off the bat — Python or R, and why?

Josip: Python and R are tools from many others available on the market, that let you implement your ideas and research. As long as you have the right idea and plan for how to work on your project, both tools will help you achieve your final goal. It’s the pseudo logic and right business objectives that matter more than the tools. R offers some valuable libraries that Python doesn’t support yet, but Python is used more widely and its community is growing rapidly.

Currently, I am using a mix of both, putting more emphasis on Python.

Brainster: Making the right business move is important now – more than ever. Considering your extensive experience with ‘quantifying’ business decisions by utilizing Data Science… Which should be the next moves towards future-proofing — of somewhat traditional IT companies — in the new post-COVID economy?

Josip: Making sure that we deliver value to the business in a more pragmatic way.
The current crisis proves that theorizing business solutions and spending endless time in choosing the right technology and algorithms can cost the business and the team a lot.

I see increased misbelief in Data Science from businesses only because Data scientists failed to prove to the business their value in a pragmatic way. Instead, they were stuck in endless POCs and theory. Future Data Scientists need to learn how to develop and measure their product around the business value it gives. Be more pragmatic and less theoretical.

Brainster: As a Senior Data Scientist, how much of your work do you rely on fellow senior Data Scientists when it comes to problem-solving and improving? How does peer-to-peer collaboration evolve in the Data Science industry over time?

Josip: Teamwork is an essential component of a successful professional. I rely on my team 100%. I always consult with the team about the decisions I take and ask for their opinion. No matter the seniority of your teammates, everyone can provide valuable insights.

Brainster: What is the inevitable course of action an ambitious beginner must take if they want to catalyze their career advancements as a Data Scientist?

Josip: Develop strong business acumen. This is the most important skill that every Data Scientist should possess, but I don’t see it often, unfortunately.

Brainster: What is the most fruitful region in Europe for Data Science according to you and why?

Josip: London, Dublin, and Luxembourg. These 3 places are the epicentre of the biggest companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, and many other companies that support non-conservative Data Science practices. English as a primary language in the countries opens much greater opportunities for international candidates as well.

Brainster: You was a guest lecturer of the free lecture “Recognizing Data-Driven Opportunities”. Can you give us a small overview of the webinar?

Josip: In this webinar, I tried to pass on some learnings I gained the hard way from my experience. I talked about how to gain trust in your stakeholders and how to make your Data Science team a success, by recognizing what the business wants and how can you help it the fastest and most successful. This is the most important step before being able to start any project.

The talk applies both to Data Scientist that is just starting their career and to a seasoned Data Scientist who is looking for a jump in their career.

Watch the recording of our webinar “Recognizing Data-Driven Opportunities”, with Josip Lazarevski, as a guest lecturer.

The admissions for the next batch of students on the Data Science Bootcamp are open. Save your spot now and begin our online prep programme.

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