Science and Technology Day: Student highlights process automation as key subject for profession

Data science is an interdisciplinary field of research characterized by the use of scientific methods, especially computational, statistical and mathematical ones. Today, October 16, is Science and Technology Day in Brazil. To mark the occasion, Eduardo Adame Salles, a third-year student on the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program at Fundação Getulio Vargas’ School of Applied Mathematics (FGV EMAp), spoke about his chosen profession and how he wants to change the world through it.

This field of knowledge is used to develop algorithms in order to extract knowledge from a very large volume of data. In this context, Eduardo highlighted his interest in helping solve urgent issues such as climate change, public health challenges and social inequality.

“Data science is crucial for automating processes, optimizing resources and making more accurate predictions, which can lead to savings in terms of time and resources for organizations and ultimately benefit society as a whole,” he said. 

See the full interview below. 
  
Why did you choose to study data science and artificial intelligence?

I chose to study data science because I’ve long been fascinated by the idea of using data to solve real-world problems. From an early age, I realized the power of data in making informed decisions and finding effective solutions.

In addition, the combination of mathematics, statistics, programming and data analysis in data science appealed to me because it offers an interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex issues. I believe that this area is the key to innovation and progress in many sectors, and I wanted to be part of this movement.

How does your chosen profession contribute to society?

Data science plays a key role in contributing to society in various ways. First, it allows valuable insights to be extracted from large volumes of data, helping identify trends, patterns and correlations that in turn can underpin public policies, business strategies and decision making in health, education, the environment and many other sectors.

Furthermore, data science is crucial for automating processes, optimizing resources and making more accurate predictions, which can lead to savings in terms of time and resources for organizations and ultimately benefit society as a whole. It also plays an important role in scientific research, medicine, financial risk analysis and many other areas, contributing to significant advances.

How do you want to change the world through your profession?

My goal is to use data science skills to address social and global challenges. I want to contribute to solving urgent issues such as climate change, public health challenges and social inequality. I believe that data analysis can be a powerful tool for creating a more sustainable and equitable world.  

In addition, I am committed to promoting ethics in data science, ensuring that data is collected and used in a responsible and transparent manner, respecting people’s privacy. I also want to share my knowledge and train others to become data science professionals, thereby helping spread the positive impact of this field.

FGV EMAp

The main objective of the Undergraduate Data Science Program offered by FGV EMAp is to ensure that all graduates have the necessary tools to make the best professional choices and build their own productive and creative career path.

To this end, the program includes workshops aimed at developing professional skills and competencies, the use of participatory methods in the classroom and exchange opportunities abroad. The professors were educated at some of the most respected institutions in Brazil and around the world.

Where data scientists can work

• Multinational companies and startups
• Retailers and e-commerce groups
• Technology companies
• Consulting firms
• Finance (investment banks, fintechs, commercial banks and pension funds)
• Pharmaceutical companies and health care organizations
• Public positions in federal, state and municipal governments

To find out more about the FGV School of Applied Mathematics, visit its website.