A Data Wrangler at Heart
Data compiler and analyst. Puzzle solver. Highly organized. Solution ideator and illustrator.
These are the top skills that you’ll find on Dana Jemison’s job description as a senior metadata analyst at the California Digital Library at the University of California, Office of the President. Day in and day out, she’s data-deep in the library’s descriptive bibliographic and holdings metadata.
You’ll also find Dana taking part in several national and international committees related to metadata standards and best practices, and peer-review articles submitted for publication in Information Technology and Libraries, a journal published by the American Library Association.
But her career didn’t start in a data-centric way. Holding a undergraduate degree in botany from California State University Long Beach, Dana worked as a lab technician at a now-defunct oil refinery in the Bay Area. Feeling trapped and seeing friends pursuing more advanced degrees, Dana remembers feeling pressure to advance—not only in her education, but in her career goals.
So she opted to switch gears and pursue a master of library and information science degree from University of Texas at Austin. And an interesting thing happened along the way—Dana felt drawn more toward the “information” side of this degree and less toward the “library” portion.
While Dana may have dreamt of becoming a cowgirl when she grew up, the “wrangling” responsibilities of a proficient data analyst is her sweet spot.
“Seeing patterns, connecting the dots, a sort of uncanny ‘knowing’ and intuition also help,” Dana says of sinking into her data analysis position. “Knowing that you never know all there is to know, coupled with a propensity to second-guess and double-check one’s work, are critical qualities for trustworthy results and success. Completing your Professional Program in Data Analysis was merely an extension of my educational and career trajectory.”
And so in January 2019, Dana began the next step in her professional development.
Why did you choose our program?
I knew that the instructors would be top notch. I also liked that the classes are taught in a traditional format: semester long, readings, class assignments, quizzes and tests as opposed to a week-long bootcamp.
My colleagues and I had taken other classes through UC Berkeley Extension. It’s a terrific resource.
Professional development is important for everyone. Practically speaking, I wanted to stay current in, and learn new skills related to, my work while supporting a business case for a potential promotion—which I did get! I’m sure that dedication to professional development of all kinds—completing this program included!—went a long way in securing it.
Commitment to ongoing, relevant, quality education shows dedication to one’s profession, no matter what one’s area of expertise is.
I also liked that the classes are taught in a traditional format: semester long, readings, class assignments, quizzes and tests as opposed to a week-long bootcamp.
You were working for the California Digital Library when you started the courses. How did the classwork relate to your role?
The classes were relevant to my work. They were challenging, in both subject matter and in time needed to complete assignments. It’s definitely a commitment, and comparable to any college class in terms of workload and difficulty. Instructors always made themselves available for answering questions or to help me understand particularly sticky concepts, which is extremely important to me.
All my classes were held online; most were self-paced and I had one Live Online class. I think I got more out of the self-paced individual learning, though I realize that that’s not always contextually the best plan.
What I learned gave me a better understanding of concepts and technologies used in my area of work so I am better able to understand and discuss a broader landscape of related ideas and initiatives, which is really important.
Dana’s Path to Data Analysis
What does completing this program mean for you, personally and professionally?
I am always interested in improving my mind, and my workplace skills and knowledge, so I am continually expanding upon my education. Not keeping up is fatal to one’s career.
What advice would you give to a student who is starting the program?
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you’re working full time, don’t take more than one class at once. Strive to get an A by allowing yourself enough time each week to do all of the required reading and assignments. Don’t rush. You will retain knowledge better if you take your time.
Where can we find you five years from now?
I’m currently in my dream-job, cow-girl aside, so have no intention of being anywhere else!
