Data Scientist

Name: Pascal Engeli
Age: 30
Degree: Master of Science UZH in Informatik
Profession: Data Analyst Sport
Employer: Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF)

Describe your job in one sentence.

I represent the Swiss-German audience on the basis of analysed usage figures and thus contribute to the management of SRF.

What are the three main tasks in your job?

Ensure access to data, turn data into information and incorporate information into processes/projects/strategies in a targeted manner.

What do you think is the best / most exciting thing about this job?

The proximity to creativity in our offering and the opportunity to help build up a large area of expertise.

What is the biggest challenge in this job?

Data provides an unfiltered truth and it is not always easy to bring this into a creative journalistic environment.
The company is constantly in the public eye and there is no scenario in which our decisions, no matter how data-based, are approved.

What does it take to enter this profession or to be successful in it?

You need to have a good mix of technical skills and industry media knowledge to be able to apply the analyses and models in the right context.

What promotion/further development opportunities are there?

Our department is organised very flatly and the respective areas of responsibility are large and grow with the initiative of the respective employees. As a result, there are many opportunities for further development to open up or deepen further areas of expertise.

What would you have liked to have known about this profession as a graduate?

Unfortunately, everyday life during a degree programme is somewhat different to working life. During your studies, you can focus on individual problems, go into depth and analyse all aspects. Unfortunately, there is no time for this in everyday working life and the pragmatic solution is usually the most efficient way.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in this job?

During recruitment processes, I have found that candidates with a sound interest in the company and the data that may be available in this company have a great advantage.

In terms of your career, is there anything you would do differently looking back? Why?

Looking back, I would like to take a little more time for my studies. I often tried to cram as many credits as possible into one semester, which meant that I certainly got less out of it than if I had had more time.

Is there anything else you would like to pass on to current students?

Enjoy the freedom of studying and find something you enjoy.

As of March 2023