Astronomers Turned Data Scientists Podcast

Patrick Aleo talks about his astronomy background, how he developed his skills for data science over several years of graduate school, his recent transition to data science, and his fresh industry experience. He also offers his advice to academics who are considering making the transition to data science.    Links: Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdaleo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdaleo/]  Patrick’s Talk at ATDS 6: https://youtu.be/2j9lVBcBpfY?t=20&si=gkTwR7TP8ZU0NbEL [https://youtu.be/2j9lVBcBpfY?t=20&si=gkTwR7TP8ZU0NbEL]   Credits Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn Recording: Jeffrey Silverman Editing: Joseph A’Hearn ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn Thumbnail Headshot Image: Patrick Aleo Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn   Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:04 - Highlight of Recent Transition to Data Science 2:11 - Astronomy and ML Background 9:37 - Transition to Data Science 15:43 - Transferable Skills and Applying for Industry Positions 22:30 - Adapting to his Industry Data Scientist Position 28:40 - Scope of his Current Data Science Work at Honeywell 38:30 - Advice to Academics Considering the Transition 42:11 - Impact of ML on Astronomy Today 46:39 - Advocating for Yourself 49:50 - Outro   #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Julie Hollek discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, and her experience as an Individual Contributor, Manager, and Director. She also talks about bootcamps, the SciPy conference, and advantages for people coming from Astronomy into Data Science.    Links: Julie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehollek/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehollek/]  SciPy Conference: https://conference.scipy.org/ [https://conference.scipy.org/]    Credits Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn Recording: Jeffrey Silverman Editing: Joseph A’Hearn ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn Thumbnail Headshot Image: Julie Hollek Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn   Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Astronomy Background 4:32 - Grad School, Coding Bootcamp, and Transition to Data Science 8:01 - Career Progression in Data Science 13:31 - Transition from Individual Contributor to Manager and Director; Types of Jobs 21:20 - Is a Bootcamp Worth It?; The Value of Networking 26:42 - The Advantage of an Astronomy Background for Data Science 31:05 - Involvement in the SciPy Conference and Community 43:49 - Advice for People Transitioning to Data Science 47:14 - Invitation to the SciPy Conference 48:09 - Outro   #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Eva Noyola discusses her Astronomy background, her transition to Data Science, her experience as a Data Analyst and in the public sector, and how Astronomy has prepared us to take on challenges.  Links: * Eva’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-noyola-743a06178/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-noyola-743a06178/]  Credits * Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn * Recording: Jeffrey Silverman * Editing: Joseph A’Hearn * ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn * Thumbnail Headshot Image: Eva Noyola * Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes * 0:00 - Intro * 1:18 - Astronomy Background * 5:16 - Transition to Data Science * 8:18 - Austin As a Data Science Hub * 10:42 - Applying for Jobs and Interviewing * 15:39 - Experience As a Data Analyst * 18:35 - The Title of Data Analyst vs Data Scientist * 22:45 - Favorite Type of Project * 25:00 - Being a Data Pioneer in a Company or Organization * 29:12 - Benefits of Participating in ATDS Meetings * 31:49 - Advice for Job Seekers * 38:55 - Pleasant Surprises About Working in Industry  * 41:18 - Future Aspirations; Working in the Public Sector * 47:19 - Final Advice; How Astronomy Trains Us * 49:55 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Kevin Moore talks about how he got into Astronomy and transitioned from there to Data Science. He discusses his current job at a startup. He goes into details about programming, interviews, and the role of  LLMs in the future of Data Science.  Links: * Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoore13/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoore13/]  Credits * Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn * Recording: Jeffrey Silverman * Editing: Joseph A’Hearn * ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn * Thumbnail Headshot Image: Kevin Moore * Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes * 0:00 - Intro * 0:47 - Astronomy Background * 2:40 - Transition to Data Science * 4:52 - First Data Science Job * 7:15 - Scala and Python * 9:40 - Programming, Computational Astrophysics, and Tools to Get a Data Science Job * 16:09 - Favorite Projects Venturing into the Unknown * 17:26 - Joining a Startup As a Data Scientist * 23:03 - Interviewing Data Scientist Candidates * 39:17 - Future of NLP and LLMs * 48:33 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data

Riwaj Pokhrel discusses his recent transition from Astronomy to Data Science, the factors that led to this decision, and his current role as a Data Scientist. He then compares what he expected out of this transition with what his current experience is. He talks about networking and other important transferable skills. He shares how he has regained some of his original love for Astronomy after his transition. Finally, he shares advice for people who are hoping to transition to Data Science.     Links: * Riwaj’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riwajpokhrel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/riwajpokhrel/]  * ADP List: https://adplist.org/ [https://adplist.org/]   Credits * Intro Music: Tonight At Eight by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Outro Music: Savour The Moment by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com [https://www.silvermansound.com] (no relation) * Co-Hosts: Jeffrey Silverman and Joseph A’Hearn * Recording: Jeffrey Silverman * Editing: Joseph A’Hearn * ATDS Podcast Logo: Joseph A’Hearn * Thumbnail Headshot Image: Riwaj Pokhrel * Thumbnail Design: Joseph A'Hearn Timecodes * 0:00 - Intro * 1:30 - Astronomy Background * 6:10 - Transition to Data Science * 16:28 - Current Data Scientist Role * 23:56 - Expectations vs. Reality about the Transition * 28:00 - Technical and Transferable Skills * 40:50 - Sharing the Love of Astronomy as a Data Scientist * 45:32 - Total Solar Eclipse 2024 Experience * 49:00 - Final Thoughts about the Future of Data Science * 56:40 - Outro #Astronomy #DataScience #Transitions #Podcast #ATDS #Astro2Data