Page 30 - Careers in Mathematics

Data Engineer problems almost every day, which allows me to learn and grow
continuously.

A typical day for me is one filled with fun, and - as one might expect
I have always - a lot of brain work. I developed most of my problem solving and
had a passion
analytical skills throughout my university career - studying a
for
mathematical and statistical degree trained my brain to think in a
Hiralal
mathematics.
certain way, and I find myself looking for patterns and identifying
For me, it is
trends regularly. Part of my job is to build new models that involve a
not only about
lot of new theories and methodologies (machine learning and
learning the Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing science), and this allows me to
theories, but
conduct research and continuously gain knowledge. While my work
also developing problem-solving and is challenging, I work in a great team that’s willing to help whenever
critical thinking skills which can be
needed – they are like a second family to me.
applied through all facets of life. I have
studied a BSc Mathematical Sciences
I enjoy expanding my knowledge base, and by learning every day, I
degree with majors in Mathematics and feel myself growing as a person. The highlight of my career at FNB
Mathematical Statistics. I’ve completed
thus far is the recognition I have received for the hard work I put
my honours in Mathematical Statistics, into my role – it’s a great motivation to keep going. It isn’t to say
and I’m currently pursuing my Masters
there aren’t challenges. I have had to learn to accept things that are
in Mathematical Statistics.
not in my control, for example, the dependency of a platform not
being able to execute specific tasks, or moving data from one
I joined the FNB Graduate Programme environment to another. Sometimes these processes don’t go as
Nina and Analytics team. Our main focus is setbacks in your stride.
in 2019, and later promoted to Data
smoothly as one might expect, and you have to learn to take
Engineer within the Computer Vision

on building analytical models using
I spend my time outside the office researching and reading journal
computer vision and machine learning.
articles about machine learning and AI and how it is being used in
I spend most of my day using the
the world. It’s where my passion lies, and that’s why I love my job. I
available data to build models that
also have a significant interest in medicine, and even though a lot of
business can use in their decision
it grosses me out, I enjoy learning about the medical world. Lately,
processes. I’m challenged with new
I’ve dedicated most of my free time to my studies and to spending
time with family and friends.

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