Decoding Data: A Marketer's Journey to Becoming a Data Scientist

In this insightful interview with Nick Carrel, Managing Principal, Data Analytics Consulting at EPAM UK, we delve into his professional journey of transitioning from a career in marketing to data science and AI. This blog offers an intriguing look at both fields and the challenges, opportunities and passion that drive a career jump like this.

Professional Background and Transition to Data Science 

Nick Carrel has a diverse background in marketing analytics, covering industries like retail, advertising and travel. His journey also took him into the world of financial services and life sciences.

No stranger to data, Nick found himself drawn to the more scientific aspects of the marketing field, eventually leading him into the realms of data science and AI. 

"An industry-agnostic career path gave me a broad overview of what people want to do with data and what kinds of problems they want to solve using data. I relish the opportunity to analyze data, apply algorithms and create business value out of that process. I am always interested in creating something more innovative.” 

The Attraction to EPAM and Role Evolution

Nick's initial attraction to EPAM stemmed from his desire to help people in diverse scenarios, which he felt he was ready for after spanning various industries. 

"I've always worked on the client side, dealing with a variety of industries, problems and data sets. I had the impression that to be a consultant, you needed to know everything. Therefore, I felt I couldn't join a consulting firm until I had covered many different areas. When the opportunity to join EPAM came up, I was eager to join because I felt I had reached a level where I could comfortably help people in many different scenarios. I then learned that you don’t need to know everything to be a consultant and that you learn and grow a lot as part of a consulting firm.”

Challenges That Arise and Overcoming Them

When asked about the challenges he faced upon joining EPAM, Nick mentioned the difficulties of multitasking and staying current in the industry. 

"At EPAM, we have to be at the forefront of the areas in which we specialize—be it AI or staying updated with the latest from major cloud providers—Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. This means you need to constantly learn and update your existing knowledge with the latest technological developments," he says.

Staying Current in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

Nick highlights the significant change in the accessibility of information and resources today compared to the beginning of his career. 

"There's open-source software easily available for AI and a plethora of videos on YouTube or other video portals to assist in learning how to code and apply algorithms," says Nick. At EPAM, he finds the collaborative environment very useful as it allows him to reach out to people familiar with niche technologies to solve complex problems. 

What Sets EPAM Apart in Data Science and AI

According to Nick, EPAM's main differentiator is its execution excellence. 

"We have top-class engineers who excel in both execution and consulting. Our ability to deliver superior-quality execution and integrate it into the consulting stage is what sets us apart. We are confident about our recommendations as we have successfully implemented them for our clients," he asserts.

The Future of Data Science and AI at EPAM

Nick foresees a greater demand for 'Responsible AI' and anticipates that AI usage will broaden across different departments within organizations. 

"We've seen a big increase in demand for high-end strategy work recently. We work with our clients to define their ‘AI North Star,’ the ultimate AI goal they want to achieve,” Nick explains. “Another development is that AI users are not confined to one department anymore. Research & Development, Human Resources or finance teams, etc., anyone can now use AI in an organization. Our role is to help functions with less AI experience understand how to best take advantage of this technology." 

The Role and Responsibilities of a Managing Principal

In his role, Nick engages extensively with clients to define project scopes and elaborate on potential solutions, requiring multidisciplinary teams to cater to all aspects of a project. 

"At EPAM, we cover a broad range of activities. An AI project can rarely be delivered by a data scientist on their own, so we often require multidisciplinary teams consisting of AI consultants, AI specialists, machine learning operations specialists, as well as infrastructure and front-end experts to cater to all aspects of a project. My role is also to review skill compositions to deliver successful outcomes for our clients," he adds.

Insights on Nick's Team and Their Backgrounds

Nick speaks highly of his team, mentioning the deep relationships and friendships he has built over the years. 

"Several team members have been with me for a long time; some even worked with me elsewhere before joining EPAM. They are incredibly bright and engaged, and I learn so much from them every day," he proudly states. His role in the team focuses on helping each member grow in various directions, both technically and in soft skills such as coaching and mentoring. “It's always my team that decides what they want to do for themselves,” says Nick. 

Essential Soft Skills for Success in Data Science/AI & ML Teams

For those aspiring to grow in data science and AI, Nick emphasizes the importance of communication skills, teamwork, emotional intelligence and passion. 

"Passion is key. Being zealous about their work and how they do it is something I deeply appreciate in team members," he concludes.

Nick Carrel’s journey from marketing to data science exemplifies a career driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to solve complex problems. EPAM’s environment fosters continuous learning, collaborative problem solving and excellence in execution, making it a strong place for professionals like Nick to thrive and contribute in the ever-evolving fields of Data Science and AI. 

If you’re interested in being part of an innovative team like Nick’s, check out our current job opportunities here: www.epam.com/careers.