Within the newest instalment of our weblog collection we interview Sarah Taws to search out out extra about how she obtained into Information Science, what it’s been like learning and dealing remotely, the issues that you simply may discover her doing outdoors of labor and what recommendation she has for folks all in favour of studying extra about Information Science.
We’re actually lucky to have Sarah with us for the summer time on placement. Sarah is performing some nice work how we finest interpret and visualise the info inside Kindspace so that individuals perceive their wellbeing traits over time. She has proven an actual down-to-earth method to work and life and we hope that you simply get pleasure from attending to know her as a lot as we have now.
We dwell in an ageing society. However what does that actually imply?
Within the subsequent 20 years the stability of younger and outdated will shift to the purpose the place there can be one aged individual for each two folks of working age. The problem this presents is two-fold, a discount in members of the family in a position to present help and a smaller pool {of professional} carers.
TL Tech is a Sensible Properties Options supplier with a distinction. We assist folks get one of the best out of sensible residence applied sciences and create distinctive residence environments to satisfy their wants and finances. Our imaginative and prescient is to “create a house that cares for you as you age”.
Sensible residence applied sciences have the ability to remodel lives, particularly for the susceptible in our society. This weblog collection can be seeking to showcase the alternatives, discover out extra concerning the folks working on this subject and the way we will create a world the place “sensible meets form ®”.
How did you get into Information Science?
It’s actually odd to consider how I ended up doing a MSc in Well being Information Science, and truthfully a part of me desires to say it was right down to luck?
In school there was by no means actually a self-discipline I favoured or was higher at. I bear in mind when it was time to begin making use of for college my advisor mentioned, “you’re good at every part, you will be something you need to be”. I do know this was meant as a praise, however I used to be completely misplaced, and actually fairly envious of everybody else who appeared to be so positive on what they wished to do. My Dad suggested me to do one thing I loved, and with that I utilized to check my favorite topic: Historical past.
I accepted a spot on the College of Aberdeen, the place you’ve gotten the chance to take programs outdoors of your diploma, so I did every part from Archaeology to Psychology to Economics! It was via this that I discovered a love for Sociology (a topic that was not supplied at my faculty) and made the choice to change levels in my second yr. Throughout my honours years I did a course on ‘Social Analysis Strategies’ which launched the sensible evaluation of a wide range of knowledge, utilizing quantitative strategies comparable to SPSS. This was a course that caught with me as it’s utilized in a strategy to perceive and ‘seize’ the world we dwell in.
After I graduated, I knew I wished to do a postgrad, however I wasn’t positive what course to go in and I wanted to avoid wasting up some cash. As I’ve recognised {qualifications} in jewelry, I took a full-time job in a boutique referred to as ROX – Diamonds & Thrills, and dabbled in a part-time Worldwide Enterprise Administration MSc which I shortly realised wasn’t the course I wished to go in.
Throughout lockdown it gave me the time (or possibly the push) to consider what I actually wished to do. I knew I used to be after a course that was knowledge oriented, however I additionally wished to really feel as if I used to be serving to folks. That’s when I discovered the Well being Information Science MSc and after emailing the course coordinator I utilized and was in a short time accepted! I used to be additionally fortunate sufficient to be supplied a scholarship by The DataLab to cowl the price of my tuition charges.
Though it’s the first yr the College of Aberdeen has supplied this diploma, I’ve met so many nice folks and discovered some helpful abilities throughout disciplines comparable to well being analysis, statistics and computing sciences. I actually can’t wait to see the potential this space has for the way forward for healthcare.
What do you love to do outdoors of labor?
I’m fairly an lively individual, so that you’ll usually discover me doing something that entails being out of the home. With lockdown I obtained again into climbing, and I all the time discover it’s a pleasant strategy to escape actuality for some time as you are likely to don’t have any cellphone service. My favorite place to hike is Faucet o’ Noth Hillfort, it’s not that removed from Bennachie but fairly unknown which implies there are by no means that many individuals there. Really, this weekend I went to Burn O’Vat for the primary time which was actually lovely.
I even have a love/hate relationship with spinning. The primary time I attended a spin class I had completely no concept what was occurring, methods to set the bike, nor was I in a position to sit down comfortably for a few week! Now I can say it’s one thing I actually get pleasure from, and I’m going round 3-4 occasions per week. Nonetheless, I nonetheless don’t know methods to set the bike correctly…
If you happen to may go on vacation anyplace proper now, the place would it not be and why?
Oh simple, Barbados.
About 10 years in the past I went on a household vacation there and each second of it was simply superb – the folks, the climate, and particularly the meals. We stayed at a lodge referred to as ‘Turtle Seaside’ and sure, child turtles did hatch and exit to sea whereas we had been there! I believe probably the greatest days there was after we went out on a catamaran to go turtle and shipwreck snorkelling; though I did fully burn my again (how I didn’t assume the ocean would take off all my sunscreen I’ll by no means know!).
It’s additionally the place my Dad and Step Mum obtained married, so it’s going to all the time be someplace that holds particular recollections for us all.
Are you a espresso or a tea individual?
Espresso! I’m actually not a functioning human being with out my morning repair. To assume, a pair years in the past I completely hated the stuff!
There’s a extremely cute café referred to as ‘Shelter Espresso’ simply on the fringe of campus the place I’m going to seize my almond milk latte and take a stroll via Seaton Park if the solar is out.
Do you’ve gotten a favorite creator, blogger or podcast?
With the quantity of studying I’ve accomplished all through the years learning, I’d say I’ve been transformed to a podcast sort of woman now. I discover it a extremely good strategy to change off and relaxation my eyes after being on my laptop doing work all day.
I actually get pleasure from TED Talks as there may be such a wide range of subjects to select from, often lasting not more than 20 minutes every. I really like that it’s basically a clearinghouse for sharing and spreading concepts from around the globe, and I’ve discovered an incredible deal about myself as properly. It was really this platform which helped me determine between Information Science and Well being Information Science, particularly: Hans Rosling │ The Greatest Stats You’ve Ever Seen – not solely is it very insightful, he’s an unbelievable public speaker and fairly humorous too.
Additionally, an outdated good friend and work colleague of mine, Antonia, just lately began her personal podcast along with her finest good friend Charlotte referred to as ‘Muddling By means of’. On this podcast they chat about every part from put up lockdown anxieties to their worst adulting failures and every part in between, I’d positively give it a pay attention in case you’re after a great chortle!
Click on right here to search out out extra concerning the Muddling By means of podcast.
What are your prime suggestions for sustaining wellbeing?
I’d say my prime suggestions for sustaining wellbeing are:
- Join with Others.
- It may be exhausting to attach with others after we’re busy, confused or feeling low. Nonetheless, connecting with pals or household, whether or not that be on-line or in individual, can cease you from feeling lonely and assist you to really feel happier. Even after I simply textual content a good friend to speak about how I’m feeling, I discover how a lot my temper improves.
- Sleep Effectively.
- As a scholar used to late nights or all-nighters, this wasn’t one I gave a lot credit score till just lately. Nonetheless, a great evening’s sleep makes a outstanding distinction to how we really feel each bodily and mentally, particularly when it comes to improved temper, productiveness and focus.
- Have You-Time.
- I believe it’s actually vital to take time for your self and do issues that make you cheerful, whether or not that’s having fun with your favorite interest or taking the time to chill out. I really feel extra content material and it may assist management emotions of stress. Ask your self, when was the final time you probably did one thing for your self?
What has your expertise been like learning and now working remotely?
I’m probably not positive methods to give a definitive reply on this.
On the one hand it has been actually difficult as I’ve struggled to search out the work-life stability being at residence. I’ve additionally missed the social elements and day by day interactions that include bodily attending college/work, however fortunately I’ve managed to make some new pals (even with a poor WIFI connection!).
Conversely, learning and dealing remotely has given me the liberty to create my very own schedule, take breaks when wanted, and meet my deadlines and targets all from the consolation of my own residence. I believe it has proven that individuals don’t need to attend the everyday workplace atmosphere to be productive, and we will see this as many locations are actually implementing distant working into their insurance policies.
What recommendation would you give to folks desirous to get began in Information Science?
First, I’d advocate performing some analysis to see if Information Science is one thing you’ll really get pleasure from. Perhaps check out some on-line programs or communicate to folks inside completely different disciplines. It’s a really giant subject, with many job alternatives and routes accessible, so it’d simply be discovering the proper area of interest for you. Then, I’d simply go for it. Sure, knowledge is messy and it may be overwhelming at occasions, however I promise you’ll get there in case you preserve making an attempt.
Information science is a massively large self-discipline. It’s nice to see extra specialist programs being developed notably in Well being and Medication to help innovation in these areas. I believe what Sarah exhibits is which you can come from any background and don’t essentially must be very techy and actually having earlier expertise in different areas is admittedly useful in your method to studying and drawback fixing.
