Jessica Kristensen is a Data Consultant at Devoteam
Where did you graduate from and with which degree?
I graduated from the University of Copenhagen (Niels Bohr Institute), with a Masters Degree in Astrophysics.
Please give a description of the work you do in your current position.
As a Data Consultant at Devoteam, I help clients in all industries and sizes with understanding, structuring and visualizing their data, and use it in ways they can improve their businesses. I use a variety of data tools and programming languages to build data models, ensure data quality, and visualize the information in colorful, interactive dashboards or apps. I also sometimes conto client sites and do full-day trainings in various data analysis tools to help them become more data driven 📈 As a consultant, the work I do is never the same, and changes immensely from day to day and project to project. Additionally, the range of tools I use in my work is constantly evolving, keeping me up to date with the newest technologies within data and AI – which I find super interesting!
What motivated you to study physics or engineering in the first place?
As a very curious child I quickly knew I wanted to do something within physics, as I was a very frustrated that no one could tell me more about our world and why we were here, so I decided that I wanted to find out for myself! I also had a very inspiring physics teacher in High School, and always stayed after class asking him questions about the universe, so he suggested I should try and study it. (Also.. the pretty pictures of stars and galaxies was a big plus…)
What made you decide to pursue a career in the private sector?
After studying astrophysics for 5,5 years and writing both my Bachelor and Master’s thesis with NASA I found myself at a bit of a cross-roads. I had gotten myself into being very specialized in Mars Rover Camera calibration, and although the experience was amazing, I did not really see myself in that field of specialization for the rest of my life. I had also come to the conclusion that the physics I was doing near the end of my studies was a bit too abstract and mathematically heavy for me, that I wanted to see what else was out there and pursue some of my other interests.
How do you use the skills you learned as a physicist or engineer in your work?
As a data consultant I use a lot of the programming skills and data analysis methods I’ve learned throughout my studies. Although the specific tools are different, a lot of the same logic applies, and the mathematics and statistical methods are the same. Additionally, I use the teaching and communication skills I’ve acquired at university, to explain complex data topics to people of all levels of technical understanding. I think however, the most important thing I’ve taken with me from my studies is the ability to solve abstract problems that don’t always seem to have an obvious solution, and the ability to translate ideas into quantifiable measures, think on my feet, and draft up quick numeric estimations.
What does being a physicist or engineer mean to you?
To be honest I don’t think too much of myself as a physicist in my everyday life anymore, since the work I do now is so far from “sitting in a lab and doing calculations and experiments”. Mostly to me, it just means that I feel like I have a pretty decent understanding of our world, the laws of nature, and how most things work from the smallest quantums to the largest structures in the cosmos – and perhaps a bit deeper understanding than your average Joe. Also, it’s a fun thing to bring up at parties because people never assume I have a degree in astrophysics. But I prefer to see myself as someone with a diverse set of interests and skills – and as someone who is defined by more than just the title on my diploma or the job I happen to do at the moment.
What advice would you give to young people (in particular women and minorities) with a background in physics or engineering who would like to pursue a career in the private sector?
I would say just go for it! The path might not be straightforward, but that’s exactly what makes it exciting – you have the chance to create your own unique journey and job.
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