Harpreet Sahota on the Art and Science of Data
Joining me this week is Harpreet Sahota.
Harpreet is a data scientist at the Machine Learning company, Comet. He's also the host of a podcast called The Artists of Data Science, which has an extraordinary guest list. It's a "who's who" of incredibly talented authors, and is somewhat of an excuse for Harpreet to reach out to people that he admires and discuss their books with them, which I think is such a great idea.
He's also a data science mentor for Data Science Dream Job, an interactive online course, and we talk a lot about mentorship in this episode. We explore the topic further by looking at both mentors that have helped Harpreet on his journey, and what he's learned being a mentor for others.
What I learned is that Data Science or Data Analytics is an umbrella term for a lot of different roles and a lot of different components within the field of Data. While you may think that Data Science is not something that you may need right now – you'll learn that the ability to interpret data and tell meaningful stories with data is actually critical to your job or your business.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
Data Science as an art.
How the role of a data scientist is equal parts Engineer, Businessman, Scientist and Project Manager.
The biggest myth about Data Science.
The common mistakes companies make in setting up data functions.
Who to hire first when you're trying to build a data team.
How to get started building a data flywheel.
Harpreet's interests are many – he is as much a data scientist as he is a content creator, online writer, avid reader and philosopher – with all of those interests reflected in this incredibly insightful discussion.
Please sit back and enjoy my conversation with Harpreet.
Harpreet's website
The Artists of Data Science podcast
Finding balance and synchronicity: How Harpreet manages his day to day life. (00:02:40-00:05:47)
Why is Data Science an art? (00:05:48-00:07:29)
The spectrum of problem-solving and Harpreet's thoughts on it. (00:07:30-00:09:47)
Taking the systematic approach to problem solving. (00:09:48-00:12:58)
Data Science or Data Analytics as an umbrella term for many different roles and components within the study of Data. (00:12:59-00:14:24)
Data science as a meta skill: How the role of a Data scientist is equal parts Engineer, Businessman, Scientist and Project Manager. (00:14:25-00:15:36)
Discovery and intellectual curiosity: We talk about how Harpreet got to where he is now and he shares the lessons he's learned along the way. (00:15:37-00:19:32)
Back to basics: We discuss the skills and knowledge you need to learn to be a data scientist, and Harpreet shares how he acquired them. (00:19:33-00:21:46)
Old wisdom unlocking new doors: We talk about mentors that have helped Harpreet on his journey. (00:21:47-00:25:35)
The power of writing as a skill in Data Science, and how significant it is. (00:25:36-00:28:38)
The power of the podcast: How to choose content that brings value, and create consistently. (00:28:39-00:32:25)
The effective approach when inviting guests on a show, and some valuable tips when creating podcasts. (00:32:26-00:37:30)
Paying knowledge forward. We discuss mentorship and what Harpreet has learned by being a mentor for others. (00:37:31-00:40:53)
The biggest myth about Data Science. (00:40:54-00:43:04)
Common mistakes companies make when setting up data functions. (00:43:05-00:47:06)
How to get started building a Data Flywheel. (00:47:07-00:49:41)
Engaging the right people: Who to hire first when you're trying to build a Data team. (00:49:42-00:51:14)
What does a Data Engineer do? (00:51:15-00:52:32)
Harpreet gives out a message of encouragement and support to his audience. (00:53:27-00:54:24)
Where you can find Harpreet on social media. (00:55:26-00:56:13)
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
Dr. Leo Breiman's White Paper
Effective Data Storytelling by Brent Dykes
Naval Ravikant
Vin Vashishta
Kyle McKiou
Ali Abdaal
Meditations on Power and Mastery podcast with Robert Greene