Sydney is BlueConduit’s data scientist. Here’s a quick Q&A with Sydney.
Why did you join BlueConduit?
I joined BlueConduit because working for a company with strong values and a social mission was my number one priority in my post-grad job hunt. It’s often said that we live in an era of data deluge, but that same data overlooks – and even excludes – the struggles of marginalized communities. BlueConduit, however, is determined to practice data science that counters this narrative, and I’m excited to be a part of that process. I’m truly grateful that I was able to find a team that cares deeply about both the communities impacted by our work and my own professional growth.
What professional experience and expertise do you bring to BlueConduit?
Before joining BlueConduit, I took part in the Civic Digital Fellowship as a data scientist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I also developed a socially-centered undergraduate data science curriculum at UC Berkeley with the Human Contexts & Ethics program.
What does a day in the life of BlueConduit’s Data Scientist look like?
After morning check-ins with the data team, I spend my time exploring and processing data in preparation for building models. Once the data is in the clear, I experiment with different models and evaluate their performance before generating predictions. Mostly, I tinker with code and have the privilege of asking Jared and Nick for help whenever I get stuck!
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I like to make music, boulder, play video games, read, and (very occasionally) write! I also recently started skateboarding and aspire to have a kickflip ready, if anyone asks. Outside of that, I enjoy spending time with my partner – cooking, improvising songs about our daily life, attempting to take care of our many houseplants, and bothering our two cats.
