15. Bridging the Gap: Complementary Data Science Skills That Drive Impact in the Industry

In industry, building accurate models is only half the job-driving real product impact requires a strong understanding of the "why" behind the problem, product thinking, and effective communication. This talk explores how data science education can be complemented to better prepare professionals for these challenges after studies. Drawing on my industry experience as a Senior Data Scientist after Ph.D., I'll highlight the importance of intuitive model understanding, business acumen, project management, stakeholder communication, and real-world data interpretation which helped me drive millions in revenue. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these skills can elevate technical training and what can help them gain these crucial skills.

Bridging the Gap 

Mid-Level

Knowledge

Women in Statistics and Data Science 2025