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.

A Little Different Point of View

I see things a bit differently than the rest. I spend hours on the phone every day, talking with my candidates, clients, and industry leaders. My thoughts on the quantitative market are unique, as I'm removed enough from the thick of things to gain an overview. I wanted to share my most recent observations...

The year has been busy, and shows no sign of slowing down.

• The number of quantitative positions open due to churn in the market is now matched by the number of new roles being created by new companies in new verticals. At Burtch Works, we are seeing growth in many service, technology, and consulting organizations. Companies are either adding to their analytics staffs, or creating new analytics groups in order to meet the increasing demand for data insights.

The Corporate Hold

• It seems as though the only groups not hiring are large corporations (with the exception of retailers). Especially in the CPG and Pharmaceutical industries, corporations are tending to sit on the sidelines rather than add to their quantitative staffs. Corporations are historically not successful in developing a long-term career path for the quantitative professional. They tend to be more inclined to leverage suppliers and consultants.

The Consulting Option

• Many quantitative professionals are finding the consulting option to be attractive. In the last two years, consulting firms of all sizes have rapidly expanded. The challenge is that these positions generally require high levels of travel. Later stage professionals are generally more open to considering this move, while people with young families (in their mid-career stage) are often unable to make the commitment.

Retail is Hiring

• As mentioned, retailers are agressively building analytics staffs. Shopper Insights has become integral to decision making, and retailers have embraced customer centric marketing. This trend is partially driven by dunnhumby, and their decade long quest to lasso loyalty data. New groups are emerging, and are eager to build their teams.

Salaries are Changing

• This year it has been very challenging to recruit quantitative candidates with one to five years experience. The recession severely restricted entry-level hiring from 2008 through most of 2010, resulting in a dearth of early career talent. So when early career professionals with solid experience come on the market, they have many options. At Burtch Works, we often see a 20% plus increase in their base salaries. Mid to late career professionals do not have the same negotiating power, and are seeing more typical bumps (10%).

The quantitative job market continues to evolve and grow. Churn continues to plague organizations, but conversely, it creates opportunity for candidates to expand their experience and advance their careers. Startups are back, new groups are being created, and layoffs have (for the most part) abated--all making for a very robust market for the analytics professionals.

As always, I welcome your comments and insights. Thanks for keeping in touch.

How to Fix Our Math Education

Sol Garfunkel and David Mumford think they know How to Fix Our Math Education (NYT, 8/24 Op Ed): "The truth is that different sets of math skills are useful for different careers, and our math education should be changed to reflect this fact." I think they miss half the point.

Here's the other half: jobs. Even with an unemployment rate of over 9%, there are plenty of jobs available. My clients are begging for talented candidates with strong math backgrounds. Enhancing math education with practical tools is fine--as far as it goes--but a rigorous math foundation through high school is vital for continued study in the quantitative sciences, and should be encouraged because this is where the jobs are.

Fixing math education must begin in elementary school. Inspiring, motivated primary teachers who also love math will foster that love in their students right from the start. There is a history of math phobia that gets passed among students (and teachers). At the high school level, many students take only the math required to graduate or get into their college of choice--treating it as something to get through that they will never use in "real" life.

These scare tactics steer students away from math, assume abstract thinking is irrelevant and perhaps most detrimentally, teach students to avoid anything that seems difficult. Our real world is filled with complicated problems--problems that will only be solved by those prepared to tackle the hard stuff, to persevere, and to work to understand the unknown.

Maybe the problem starts with how we teach our teachers and the minimal level of math mastery required of our early educators. For example, University of Illinois School of Education offers an undergraduate degree in preliminary education that requires only seven credit hours (of 125) in math education.

The current assumption is that basic math is boring and that you can always use a calculator. It's not enough to know how to calculate a mortgage or to buy or lease a car. If students don't have math facts down cold, they won't advance in math. It's interesting to note that our Japanese exchange student, a high school junior who excelled in math, had never been allowed to use a calculator in Japan.

According to Garfunkel and Mumford, "It is through real-life applications that mathematics emerged in the past, has flourished for centuries, and connects to our culture now."

Real life--life where even college graduates are having trouble finding jobs--requires us to prepare our students for the careers that will be available to them in the foreseeable future. In real life, nearly everyone who studies math or its related disciplines such as statistics, operations research, economics, engineering, and computer science will find jobs after college. This is not necessarily true of English majors.

We need to embrace math, to challenge our students to relish the ability to solve difficult problems. Requiring our primary teachers to pursue a strong education in math would boost their own confidence in teaching and inspiring young minds. Most students choose not to continue in math because they lack the foundation, passion, confidence, and interest. This is our failure. Instead of telling our children "you'll never need math", we should be telling them that this is where the jobs are.

Math is our future.