Thanks, Erick. This is wonderful advice! I find if I try to stay up to date on everything, I have no time to use any of that info and actually can't keep up to date on anything.
So, as you say, focus on understanding the major trends (and how those work), pick some to actually work with to learn and to become an expert in a few of them.
Original Message:
Sent: 01-13-2024 17:54
From: Erick Wikum
Subject: Analytics Advice – Staying current with the latest analytics trends and technology
I agree with Marc Meketon that there's little hope of staying abreast of everything. I suggest staying current in two ways. The first is in a focused way concerning your core skills, knowledge, and area of expertise. The second is in gaining a basic understanding of important emerging topics.
Given one's requisite time commitments to work, family, volunteering, exercising, etc., it can be quite difficult to find the time to stay current. The most efficient way is through work. Completing a project almost always requires one to learn new subject matter or skills. I have a saying that if you learn it, you know it, but if you use it, you own it. Reading to learn is useful. Having to learn about something or how to do something to complete a project results in more effective learning.
I am currently working with a developer who volunteers for tasks she does not know how to do but wants to learn. Like INFORMS members I know, she is a quick study, and her approach has allowed her to be a more and more valuable asset to our team over time.
When something needs to be done, assigning an expert is the obvious course of action. In my experience, organizations have some degree of openness to assigning non-expert employees or even consultants and making subject matter experts of various sorts available for tutoring. These organizations do not have infinite patience, so when provided with such an opportunity, it is important to come up to speed quickly and to demonstrate progress. The bottom line is that working can provide many avenues for keeping current and expanding one's knowledge and skill set.
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Erick Wikum
President
Wikalytics, LLC
Maineville, OH
Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2024 19:32
From: David Hunt
Subject: Analytics Advice – Staying current with the latest analytics trends and technology
The INFORMS Analytics Society sponsors the Analytics Advice column published in OR/MS Today. The concept is to use the collective experience of the INFORMS community to offer advice to students and early career professionals. Questions are posted on Connect and the collective responses compiled into Analytics Advice articles.
Current topic: how important has it been during your career to remain current with the latest analytics trends and technology, and what are your best tips for staying up to date?
Please send your advice through Connect by January 14 so the Analytics Society can compile and publish the results in the next OR/MS Today.
The first Analytics Advice article on finding an analytics internship can be found at https://pubsonline.informs.org/do/10.1287/orms.2023.03.13/full/.
The second Analytics Advice article on tips for interviewing for an analytics job can be found at https://pubsonline.informs.org/do/10.1287/orms.2023.04.08/full.
I look forward to hearing your best advice for staying up to date with analytics!
Thanks,
Dave
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David Hunt
Vice President: Oliver Wyman
2024 President-Elect: INFORMS
Princeton NJ
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