Reflection
Apply principles of sustainability to create viable systems (A):
During my Bachelor of Engineering in Data Science, I was fortunate enough to be involved in a project that aimed to deeply analyse Australia's international trade data, not only as an academic challenge but also as an opportunity to put sustainability principles into practice. By processing and analysing a large amount of trade data between 1988 and 2021, we were tasked with uncovering import and export trends in the 'machinery and transport equipment' industry and exploring the impact of these trends on environmental sustainability. This project made me realise that data scientists have a key role to play in driving sustainable development. Our analyses not only revealed industry trends but also provided data on how to reduce carbon footprints through technological innovations and policy adjustments. During the course of the project, I experienced the joys and challenges of finding stories from data. Every data visualisation completed and every trend identified made me proud of our work. At the same time, this project also gave me a deep appreciation that, as data scientists, our work is not just about numbers and code but about how we can use those numbers and code to improve the world. This experience has greatly enhanced my interest in sustainability and inspired me to continue exploring how data science can be used to address environmental issues in my future career. I realised that to truly achieve sustainability goals requires interdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration. Therefore, I plan to continue to improve my data analytics skills in my future studies and work, as well as learn the fundamentals of environmental science and policymaking so that I can more fully understand and contribute to the development of sustainability solutions. Through this project, I have not only improved my technical skills but more importantly, I have gained a deeper understanding of the impact of the data. I believe that through continued learning and practice, I can contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future.
Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to work as a data scientist intern on a project with a multicultural team. The goal of this project was to predict the purchasing behaviour of website visitors by analysing consumer behaviour data. The project team members came from all over the world with different cultural backgrounds and work habits, which provided me with a valuable experience in cross-cultural collaboration. This internship experience taught me that successful global teamwork does not only depend on individual technical skills but, more importantly, on communication and understanding among team members. One of the biggest challenges we faced in this project was how to effectively cross-cultural differences and establish effective communication mechanisms. By working together, we not only improved project efficiency, but also deepened our understanding and respect for each other's cultures. At the beginning of the project, misunderstandings and communication barriers caused by cultural differences really frustrated me. However, as time went by, we gradually overcame these challenges through active communication and mutual learning. In the process, I learnt many important lessons about patience, openness and adaptability, which are indispensable skills in my future career. This experience has greatly enhanced my ability to work in a multicultural environment and has sparked my interest in a globalised career. I realise that as a future data scientist, it is crucial to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively in a cross-cultural context. Therefore, I plan to continue to develop my cross-cultural communication skills and seek more opportunities to work in an international context in my future studies and work. Through this internship, I have not only enhanced my data science skills but more importantly, I have learnt how to build trust and cooperation in a multicultural environment. I am confident that these experiences and skills will take me far into my future globalised career path.
