Burtch Works Knows Who's Hiring!

Burtch Works Knows Where the Jobs Are!

Cool Media Project in the Works

I recently came across an interesting discussion on LinkedIn about Rick Smolan’s newest pet project called “The Human Face of Big Data.” The project is meant to shine a light on the work of the Big Data industry, and as someone who works almost exclusively with this field, I was immediately fascinated. Putting a face (or many faces) to Big Data is an extraordinary idea and it seems like the perfect time to do so.

No one can deny any more the incredible influence that data analysis has on so many aspects of our daily lives, but even so it would be brilliant to capture this influence in a photograph. Gary King was right to call this abundance of data analysis a revolution, but the truth is the revolution has been a long time coming.

For 30 years now I’ve been working with recruiting marketing scientists into the workforce and I have seen the industry evolve first-hand from a small, back-room career with limited potential into a force in the board room. This project will truly do justice to the professionals of this arena but moreover, it will allow the public to see the work we do not as some dry, mysterious science, but rather as an exciting source of good.

Can’t wait to see how it all pans out!

Tell Us Something We Don't Know

Did you see the article in Saturday’s NY Times? The Age of Big Data article was a huge Internet hit. Everyone was talking about it, from Federal News Radio to individual bloggers. Big Data is Big News, but not to us. We’ve been talking about it for … years.

• We know that the ability for computers to crunch vast quantities of data has been around for a good handful of years.
• We know that the data doesn’t explain itself—that to be meaningful it needs to be analyzed by quantitative specialists who can help companies turn lots of data into usable information.
• We know that statistics are sexy—especially in the job market.

So, where’s the news in this news?

A quick Google search reveals that the rest of the world is still trying to define Big Data. Literally tens of thousands of sources have Big Data on the brain. In just the last hour, Google News reports 37,100 search results for Big Data. Listed below are just a few examples of the stories you can find. Take a look, if you're interested. In the meantime, while everybody is busy figuring out what Big Data means, we’ll keep moving forward. And we’ll let you know when the rest of the world catches up.

2/14 Panel: Social big data analytics proving difficult within the enterprise (ZD Net)
2/14 Big Data is Changing the Game (IT Web Business Intelligence)
2/14 Big data and open source software (Federal News Radio)
2/14 Big Data and Procurement: Get Ready (Some Context First) — Part 1 (Spend Matters)

2/14 Why Midsize Businesses Shouldn't Leave Big Data to Big Businesses (Infoboom)
2/14 Some Thoughts on Big Data (ABC Technology and Games)
2/14 What is Big Data – An Explanation in Simple Words (SQL Authority)

2/13 'Big Data' Prep: Five Things IT Should Do Now (PC World)
2/13 Using big data to make an MPG for everything (gigaom.com)
2/13 Big Data = Big Challenge? Utilities compete for analytics talent (Intelligent Utility
2/13 SQL Server 2012, cloud, ‘big data’ driving momentum in 2012 (Search SQL Server)
2/13 What's your agency's big data IQ? (Government Computer News)
2/13 Best U.S. jobs will be in data (CBS/smartplanet)
2/13 It's the Age of Big Data: That's Why Math Counts! (Psychology Today)

2/13 The Last-Mile Challenge of Big Data (Qlik Community)

2/13 Why Big Data is a Big Deal for Marketers — and HR (HR marketer blog)

2/13 What Big Data [Means] for Your Career (FINS Technology)
2/13 How Big Data is Creating the Future of Science Fiction (Smart Data Collective)
2/13 The Intersection of Security Intelligence and Big Data Analytics (Network World)
2/13 EMC to Open Cloud and Big Data R&D Center in Russia (The Nation)
2/13 The Future of High-Tech Health Care — and the Challenge (NY Times Technology)

2/12 Big Data: Smart move for the future (Fierce Finance)

2/11 Big Data and Rise of Predictive Enterprise Solutions (Smart Data Collective)
2/11 How's India Dealing with Big Data? (CIO.India)
2/11 The Age of Big Data (NY Times Sunday Review)

2/10 Big Data Demands New Skills (WSJ Tech)
2/10 Defining the Art of Big Data Leadership (Forbes)

Big Data Hits the Big Time but at What Price

“What Are The Odds That Stats Would Be This Popular?” That was the question Quentin Hardy asked in his NY Times piece last Friday (01/26/12). If you’ve been paying attention to this blog, you’d know that the odds have been good and are getting better.

The real issue isn’t in the headline, but comes a couple of paragraphs down: “What no one has are enough people to figure out the valuable patterns that lie inside the data.” As Big Data becomes a hot news topic, the demand for skilled analysts is growing exponentially. That’s good news for new grads in the field and those who have some experience and are ready to move up.

But it’s a troubling fact for clients looking to meet their growing needs for quantitative specialists with top candidates. It’s not a field for the faint of heart. Curricula in strong programs are rigorous and intellectually challenging for students. A quantitative mind will give you the leg up, and, as is true in many areas nowadays, a confidence in your computer skills will help you succeed.

A commitment to pursue an advanced degree in analytics is also important. A Master’s degree is often required for most jobs in businesses, and sometimes a PhD is preferred. There are excellent programs offering Master’s degrees, and as the visibility of this field grows, there have been a number of new programs emerging, such as:

• North Carolina State has offered a 10-month Advanced Analytics program since 2006
• Northwestern recently announced a new Masters of Science in Analytics
• The College of Computing and Informatics at the University of North Carolina is another young program

It’s important to note that the number of graduates from programs such as these doesn’t begin to meet even the current need, and many of our upcoming elementary and secondary students aren’t getting the strong math foundation they need to compete.

The law of supply and demand will kick in eventually. What can you do in the meantime? Stay tuned here and we’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s happening. If you are a hiring authority, make short- and long-term plans for your hiring needs so you aren’t scrambling to fill positions in a tight, competitive market. And for our candidates, keep up your skills. Become and remain the best of the best. And as always, call us with questions.

Opportunity Everywhere You Look

"Everywhere you look, there's an opportunity to collect more data and then apply a statistical or mathematical approach to understanding what's happening," says Chris Kemp, chief executive officer of Nebula.

This quote comes from a recent two-part series on NPR’s Morning Edition about what they call "Big Data." It’s what we call our raw material, or more aptly, our bread and butter. And it’s everywhere.

It looks like this picture will stay just as rosy for quantitative specialists for at least the next ten years to come. What a wonderful position to be in to start the New Year!

We’re feeling pretty lucky to be part of an industry that is enjoying such stability and growth, able to weather the ups and downs of what is likely to continue to be a volatile economy. We rejoice in each of your successes, and encourage you to hone your skills, stay hands-on (even at senior levels), and learn everything you can. Make plans now to attend an industry conference (or two) next year and continue to network at every opportunity.

Wishing you and your family all the best over the holidays and in the New Year to come.

Holiday Job Hunting

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should put your job search on hold. In fact, Thanksgiving through New Year's presents many unique advantages that aren’t available at any other time of year.

For 15 years, ever since I read “You Might Be Able to Get a New Job for Christmas” in the Wall Street Journal, I’ve been trying to debunk the myth that job hunting is futile after Thanksgiving. As the article notes, “In reality, job hunting can be easier during the holidays.”

Though the job market has changed during that decade and a half, holiday job-hunting realities have not. Just last December, when the economy was in the early stages of recovery, US News and World Report called the holidays “primo networking time” and a “golden opportunity”. This is especially true for quantitative candidates. Here’s why:

• You’re in demand — Our clients have openings and are hungry for the best quantitative candidates, and that hunger does not let up over the holidays.

• Candidate volume is lower — Because most people erroneously believe that the holidays are a bad time to job hunt, they put their resumes away until after the New Year. Fewer inappropriate resumes flooding decision makers’ desks mean that yours is more likely to get the attention it deserves.

• Hiring managers are under pressure to be fully staffed by year end — Often, departmental budgets that have made room for new hires will evaporate at the end of the calendar year, so hiring managers feel pressure to use it or lose it.

• Companies want key players in place to jump-start the New Year — Most of the strategic planning has been done for the next 12 months, and department heads want their teams set and ready to implement those initiatives in January.

• A general business slow down means more time — for you and for hiring mangers. Fewer work pressures mean that hiring managers can concentrate on you. A more lax schedule means more time for you to arrange interviews discretely, without interfering with deadlines.

• Offices tend to be more casual and welcoming — People are generally in a happier, more generous mood at this time of year. Take advantage of the holiday spirit.

Perhaps the most important reason to start now is that the job boards and HR inboxes will be flooded with resumes after the first of the year. Don’t squander six weeks of prime interviewing time only to have your job hunt buried in a tsunami of New Year's resolve. Use this joyful time of the year to your advantage. And if we can help you plan your holiday strategy, please let us know.