[Employee Interview] From a research position at the University of Tokyo to XICA! Why I joined XICA to become a data analysis professional
Hello! I'm Matsushita, also known as Macchan, and I'm in charge of human resources and general affairs at XICA!
This week we bring you an interview with Takaki, a data analyst in the Customer Success Department!
Takagi originally came from the University of Tokyo, where he conducted research into fundamental physics using statistics and data analysis.
We will focus on not only why he chose XICA as his new employer, but also how he is making use of his experience from his time as a researcher and the vision he has for the future!
This article will be helpful for those who have studied statistics or are wondering how to use their data analysis experience in their careers, so please take a look!
>I heard that before joining XICA, you were doing research at the University of Tokyo!
I studied basic physics at Kyushu University, and after graduating I wanted to conduct research in larger experimental facilities, so I went on to graduate school at the University of Tokyo, where I continued researching physics ever since.
Specifically, in order to investigate the properties of "atomic nuclei," I conducted experimental research, mainly using a device called an accelerator, while formulating hypotheses. Data collected from the experiments was analyzed in the following ways: 8% data cleansing, 1% cluster analysis, and 1% nonlinear regression analysis.
*Cluster analysis: A method of creating groups by repeatedly gathering similar samples statistically close together and separating dissimilar samples.
*Nonlinear regression analysis: A method for predicting new observed values by assuming a non-proportional relationship between the objective variable and explanatory variables.
> It seems difficult! Lol What made you decide to change jobs from a research position?
The biggest factor was that I lacked confidence that I could continue working in research for the rest of my life.
At first, I thought research sounded interesting, so I decided to pursue it, but there was a time when I was frustrated because I couldn't visualize my future career. At that time, I decided to look outside and realized that there are many organizations and companies doing interesting things in the world.
I wanted to broaden my field beyond just physics, so I was interested in data analysis, as well as machine learning and AI, and looked at a variety of industries.
> Ultimately, you changed jobs to become a data analyst in the marketing field. What was the reason for this?
Actually, I didn't decide to shift to the marketing field from the beginning.
When I was looking for a company that could do something interesting, it seemed like XICA was the one doing the most interesting thing.
>I see! What did you find interesting about XICA back then?
I was particularly attracted to XICA because, in this age where machine learning and AI are all the rage, they are emphasizing statistical analysis that people can understand.
Perhaps it's because I used to do research, but I can't help but be intrigued by black boxes.
In addition, the people I interviewed explained things clearly and this was the final deciding factor for me.
For example, when I interviewed with the company's president, Mr. Hirao, he said, "XICA aims to be the Intel of the data world." I was impressed by his determination to be the leader in the data world, an industry in which XICA is always involved.
>How do you feel now that you've been analyzing marketing data since joining the company?
That's very interesting!
In this research, the most physically and statistically significant answer was determined and its precision was then maximized, so the answer was narrowed down to one.
However, in marketing analysis, there are many possible answers that pass statistical testing. The range of options for choosing which analysis results to use and how to interpret them is much wider than in research, and I find it interesting that there are no absolute answers!
>Although it is a completely different field, is your university research put to use in your work?
The process of formulating a hypothesis, conducting analysis to verify it, and interpreting the results of the analysis is exactly the same as the research process. I have been working on analysis at XICA for almost a year, but I only recently realized that the basic process is the same as research.
Therefore, I believe that people who have done research will be familiar with this process and will be able to catch up relatively easily.
However, the sense of speed is very different from research!
How does the sense of speed differ?
In research, I took my time until I was satisfied with the results, but in the workplace, there is always a time schedule. I used to take my time to analyze things, so to be honest, I was struggling to get used to it for the first six months (laughs).
Recently, rather than trying too hard to find the right answer on my own, I've been trying to communicate a lot with the people around me in order to get my work done quickly.
>Is that so! Is there anything else you keep in mind in your work?
The data provided by our clients is usually important confidential data that can only be viewed within the client's company. We take a close look at this raw data and strive to use it for analysis without waste!
When you look at a time series of sales data or a time series of marketing data, there's a lot of exciting data to look at.
For example, there is a lot of data that overturns my previous thinking, such as data showing that in an industry that seems to have demand in the summer, sales actually increase significantly in the winter.
It's only with XICA that we can see marketing data that normally isn't available from so many different lines of business and industries!
>What skills would you like to acquire or knowledge to gain in the future?
Although statistical analysis is a broad term, there are a wide variety of analytical methods and logic, so I would like to first deepen my understanding of statistics.
Also, there is so much I don't know about the marketing field, so I feel the need to deepen my knowledge of it. However, the scope of my understanding is limited, so I would like to create a team that can involve many people and improve the level of analysis. I also think that in the future, I will need management skills to do this.
>To that end, how do you catch up on new skills and knowledge?
As I conduct my analysis, there are always things I don't understand, so I try to understand them by researching them myself or talking to people.
In fact, the Analysis Department holds regular study sessions where members deepen their understanding through discussion!
Since we interact directly with customers, we often have to learn things from them.
In addition, our CEO, Mr. Hirao, studied statistics at university, so we often have the opportunity to consult with him about the logic behind the analysis results that we present to clients, or to discuss new analysis methods together.
>Please tell us about your future career vision and what you would like to achieve at XICA!
In a nutshell, I would like to create a professional data analysis team that will make people say, "When you think of data analysis, you think of XICA."
> I see! To make that happen, what kind of person would you like to work with at XICA?
They are people who have strong opinions of their own, but are also flexible in incorporating new knowledge and trying to come up with the best answer.
I have also served as a mentor on a number of occasions, and on those occasions I am often asked questions from a new perspective, and I am often able to learn from new members.
Therefore, we welcome new members to join us, and we especially welcome people who have knowledge or ways of thinking that we don't have!
>Finally, please give a message to those currently studying statistics or involved in data analysis!
I was not a statistics specialist, but statistics and analytical methods are just tools. No matter how well you can use the tools, it's not very interesting if you don't have something you want to create.
If you focus on what you want to do after studying statistics, you'll have a lot of fun because there are so many interesting themes to choose from!
What did you think?
If you have studied statistics in class or have experience in data analysis, you can put that experience to good use at XICA!
Would you like to build a career as a data analyst at XICA and become a data analysis professional?
First of all, if you are even slightly interested in XICA, I would be happy to have a casual chat with you.
We look forward to receiving your messages and applications!
*The affiliation and title of the interviewee are those at the time of the interview.
