The Data Career Pivot The Power of Redirection, Reskilling and Skills Transference

For Women in Tech Week, Kubrick Senior Associate Uma Parekh shares her insights and reflections on hosting the panel discussion 'The Data Career Pivot: The Power of Redirection, Reskilling and Skills Transference' in conjunction with Women in Data®.


There is one flagship event for UK-based data professionals that draws crowds like no other: Big Data LDN. The conference took over the London Olympia exhibition centre at the end of September for two jam-packed days of panel discussions, exciting tech demos, and product releases (not the mention the great merch!). Most of all, the event presented the opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers from across the data industry. This year, Women in Data® were a cornerstone of the Big Data LDN community, hosting a series of talks with impressive figures in their network, cultivating networking activity with interactive events, and providing some respite from the busy conference floor in the Women in Data® lounge.

I had the pleasure of taking the stage on behalf of Women in Data® to moderate one of their inspiration panel sessions, joined by leaders in the data science world to explore how women can leverage career redirection and skills transference to accelerate their career trajectories – and improve outcomes in today’s data-driven era. I was thrilled to host the conversation with Raj Purakayastha (Lead Data Scientist at Esure), Lisa Hursell (Lead Data Scientist at the Metropolitan Police), and Rajmati G Marlecha (Lead Product Data Scientist at Expedia Group). In recognition of the inaugural Women in Tech Week (Oct 7-11), I caught up with my fellow panellists to reflect on the importance of the conversation and what we learned together.

Here were some of our top takeaways, some of which have evolved from the first inception of the panel topic to our current reflections on how the talk was received.

We’ve taken different journeys, but we share the same reflections on the path so far…

During our preparation for the panel, we quickly realised that despite our different journeys into data, we shared common experiences. The key unifying sentiment was our reflections on the continued prevalence of imposter syndrome and how the scarcity of women in senior data roles limits visibility into potential career paths. Our shared enthusiasm for bringing personal stories to the fore allowed us to quickly build a rapport in our first planning session together – a rapport that would shine through once we hit the stage at Big Data LDN.

Though our journeys so far have differed, we recognised the importance of how our paths had converged in that moment. In our industry, it can be difficult to make space for women to connect and learn from each other - or even just spend time in each other’s company – so having the opportunity to share the stage together with Women in Data® was a milestone.

The power of personal stories

Our panel drew an impressive crowd, with attendees stood around the edge of the theatre and even some turned away at the door. While it was certainly a wonderful surprise, it was also a testament to the power of personal stories in capturing attention and fostering engagement. It was great to see heads nodding along as the speakers shared their experiences, and this strong turnout highlighted how storytelling not only informs but also inspires, a key message that we highlighted in the discussion too.

Raj and I both gave a shoutout to our mentors that were in the audience who were non-technical individuals that truly recognised our strengths and support our ongoing development – seeing them in the audience was a fulfilling, full circle moment.

AI is everywhere: take a moment to reflect on its significance for you

There was no corner of Big Data LDN that AI (and particularly GenAI) didn’t touch - and rightly so! It is the culmination of all of our work in data. But it’s important to take a moment to consider what AI truly means for you and your organisation. Building the key foundations whilst reflecting on how your strengths can help you align with your goals, such as effective communication to assist non-technical audiences in adopting AI or fostering a willingness to upskill from the ground up to develop a technical foundation.

By approaching AI thoughtfully, you can ensure it is not just a buzzword but a strategic move that propels you and your organisation forward. “AI should be embraced as a toolkit, not feared”, Rajmati explained. “Thoughtful use enhances human potential, streamlines processes, and solves complex problems. Key to success is understanding its potential, applying it ethically, and continually expanding your expertise by leveraging current skills, starting small, and staying adaptable. Focus on mastering core principles rather than just specific tools for lasting growth.”

A ‘pivot’ can take you in a lot of directions – play to your strengths and be authentically yourself

Career pivots are far more common today than ever before and can take many forms; each is uniquely shaped by individual experiences and aspirations. Whether it's upskilling from scratch, applying your previous experience to the data field, or redesigning your current role to be more data orientated, these transitions often bring the chance to harness your strengths and passions. “Curiosity plays a crucial role in these transitions, driving the desire to learn, explore new fields, and adapt to emerging opportunities”, Rajmati added.” Curiosity fuels the continuous learning needed to thrive in this changing landscape.”

Some of us found opportunities to dive deeper into the world of data with new organisations, like my own journey of reskilling into tech with Kubrick. Others found those opportunities to develop right under their nose, like Lisa who delved into the world of data with various roles inside the Metropolitan Police. “Finding a career that you love is a challenge in itself”, Lisa reflected. “Changing roles, departments and organisations only adds to the stress! I’m so fortunate to have been able to experience such a variety of data roles within one organisation - and that really does open your eyes to how much data is out there waiting to be used, and the vast opportunities there are to find value in it.”

It is important to balance both developing the skills in which you excel while remaining true to yourself throughout the journey. Authenticity not only builds confidence but also fosters connections with others who appreciate your unique perspective. Embracing your individuality allows you to navigate career changes with resilience and purpose, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and fulfilment.

Some final thoughts

As I write this on Ada Lovelace Day (Oct 8th) and with the gift of hindsight in the couple of weeks following Big Data LDN, I can reflect on what the event meant for me and how it will help shape the next steps on my journey. It was truly inspiring to be part of a panel with such accomplished women in the technical field, who offered invaluable insights and candid truths about their pathways. It was joy – and a challenge – to take on the role of moderator. I have to give kudos to Clare Balding for moderating the keynote panel with Sir Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington and Sir Matthew Pinsent; my respect for her has grown even more! As much as I enjoyed sharing my experiences with others, I learned even more from my peers and about myself. I left ready to take my own advice, feeling empowered to continue expanding my network, recognising the importance of being a mentor for others while also seeking guidance for my own journey.

Many thanks to Rajmati, Lisa, Raj and the whole Women in Data team for their support and contribution.

About the author:

Uma Parekh is a Senior Associate specialised in Kubrick’s Data & AI Product practice, where she focuses on product management and driving culture change initiatives. She began her career at EY, coordinating global transformation projects across a number of industries, before retraining as a technical data lead at Kubrick. She has extensive experience in leading technical teams to develop innovative products within Agile frameworks, ranging from interactive dashboards to machine learning algorithms, and aligning technical and strategic objectives for successful execution.