Future Leader profile: Dhru Shah
Position: Senior Statistician at the National Centre for Social Research.
Education: Degree in mathematics and statistics from the University of Plymouth.
During my maths degree, I was offered the option of completing a project based on a placement, so I applied for the Government Statistical Service 10-week summer placement and got in! I had a lot of help from the Uni Careers Hub.
Leadership philosophy: Leadership is being prepared to lose no matter what you do while bringing others along for the ride.
There will always be a sacrifice to make change (or even prevent change), and someone will lose out as a result, so leaders either take that on themselves or inspire someone to take that on for the team.
Role model: My manager.
After a period of great change, my line manager essentially dragged me through one of our organisation's hardest pieces of work and helped me get to grips with the craft. To see the meteoric rise of such a diligent and considerate statistician, who still maintains her personality and commitment to helping us develop, is wild.
Proudest moment: Giving a careers presentation for the maths students at my university.
I was only just over a year in my role, and I was worried that I had been a bit too honest, but predictably people admire this when they are trying to make decisions. Whether I drew people in or put them off a stats career, I was glad to be of help.
Advice to young data professionals: If you are a beginner then be a beginner.
Don't go looking to impress people, just do the work, make loads of mistakes and focus on learning now so you can be awesome later.
Childhood dream job: Performing or acting.
Now I have no single dream - cricket/rugby, statistician/data analyst, environmental statistician/data scientist, maybe an analyst in the transport sector, actor, Youtuber (skits and stats lessons only thanks), and even social research statistician are all good career outcomes.
Hobbies: Performing and role-playing games, watching TV, film and theatre.
I should really restring my guitar and practise...