Pathways to a Data Career

If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.?

I’ve heard the expression used in education and business, and it rings true even in a nascent field like data for social impact (DSI). Today, the demand for data talent far exceeds the supply, yet as I write in my latest blog post, there are no established on-ramps to these careers in the social sector. For a young person looking to start a career or an established leader looking for a change, the path to using data to make a difference is unclear.?

We need to build a workforce of purpose-driven data practitioners—and quickly—and that means showing the talent pipeline what a career in DSI can look like.?

For many of today’s emerging leaders, that career has taken some twists and turns, as we discovered in our new series, Pathways to Impact. The nontraditional routes into the field captured in the series reinforce that DSI careers don’t have to conform to a particular mold. DSI is a road worth traveling if you want to advance solutions to challenges globally or locally. Paired with complementary skills like communications or community engagement, data science can help you achieve greater impact.

You don’t need a degree in computer science to be a purpose-driven data practitioner. You just need a curious spirit, a desire to do good, a passion for tapping your superpowers to solve problems, and, as the leaders we spoke with underscored, an appreciation for the power of data to drive social impact.

All the best,

Perry Hewitt | data.org, Chief Marketing and Product Officer

Pathways to Impact

Neera Nundy | Partner and Co-Founder of Dasra

“It was during my undergraduate studies in Canada that I was first exposed to something called business. I did a dual degree in math/statistics, and in business. At that point, I realized that there were interesting applications of math and statistics in the real world. Business was a place where I could leverage both the stats skills and the softer skills that I was developing.”

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Nate Matias | Assistant Professor in Cornell University's Communication Department

“The world of data and social good is so varied, and it encompasses so many fields that it would probably be a mistake to say, 'Here is the one true pathway.' But what is really important is to find those people whom you trust, who share your values, and who you feel can help at least light the next few steps.”

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Angela Oduor Lungati | Executive Director of Ushahidi

“One of the patterns I have noticed in people who are making a transition to social impact is that sometimes there’s this feeling that they need to throw away the skill set that they had before to fit into this new field. And I don’t think that that’s necessarily the case.”

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Ivana Feldfeber | Co-founder of DataGénero

“Working in schools and with groups of teachers made me understand a healthier way to manage people and to build knowledge. This experience also enhanced my creativity to think outside the box when it comes to coming up with solutions or dealing with emergencies or things that are urgent.”?

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Thank you to all of the participants of our Pathways to Impact series: Danielle Getsinger, PG , Community Lattice ; George Kibala Bauer , GSMA ; Roberta Evangelista , BASE Foundation ; Neera Nundy , Dasra ; Miguel Luengo-Oroz , Spotlab ; Angela Oduor Lungati , Ushahidi ; J. Nathan Matias , 美国康奈尔大学 ; Evan Tachovsky , World Resources Institute ; Ivana Feldfeber , DataGénero - Observatorio ; Tracy K. Teal, PhD , Posit PBC ; Dr. Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup , NADPH ; Leonida Mutuku , Intelipro Limited ; and Linda Kamau , AkiraChix .?

Check out all of our Pathways to Impact stories by clicking here!