This event was crafted to be an enlightening journey into the world of professional possibilities. Intended to inspire students and equip them with the tools needed to navigate their career paths, it brought together distinguished experts from the realms of Data Science and Actuarial Science. On Day 1, attendees had the privilege of gaining insights from Mr. Giorgio Armani Magno, a Data Scientist at Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, and Ms. Aila Goc, an actuary with a BS in Applied Mathematics and over six years of industry experience. Their unique perspectives and practical advice painted a vivid picture of the professional landscape. This vibrant career talk seamlessly bridged the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, offering a valuable platform for students to prepare for a thriving future.
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Our first Pathfinders speaker, Mr. Magno, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science graduate from the Technological Institute of the Philippines - Manila, proudly represented the Philippines in the 2019 ICDL Asia Digital Challenge in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, securing third-place. He envisions contributing further to the tech community's growth and innovation through his recently launched channel, GioData. Mr. Magno, a Data Scientist at Semirara Mining and Power Corporation - the Philippine's largest coal producer, and a part-time Data Science Specialist Instructor at CIIT College of Arts & Technology despite having two years of experience, he progressed from an entry level position to a Specialist role, demonstrating his commitment and passion in Data Science. He began his career in Real Estate as an Assistant Data Scientist at Megaworld Corporation and has also worked part-time as a Teaching Assistant, Data Collection Analyst, and Microsoft PowerBI training instructor.
Mr. Magno provided us with an insightful perspective on Data Science. He discussed how Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables computers to think, learn, and perform tasks generally requiring human intelligence by processing and learning from large datasets (Big Data). He explained that this creates significant opportunities for innovation and improvement. During his talk, he highlighted Data Science and Analytics Career Opportunities including Data Architect, Data Engineer, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Al Engineer, and Data Governance Officer, emphasizing high demand across various industries, endless learning opportunities, and competitive salaries. He also provided useful tips for pursuing these careers, informing individuals to assess their current skills, build a strong foundation in mathematics, utilize online learning resources, develop a portfolio, join tech communities, seek internships, tailor their resumes and LinkedIn profiles, prepare for interviews, and engage in continuous learning. Overall, Mr. Magno quoted from the TV series, The Flash “No matter how fast you are, there are some things you can’t outrun; some things always manage to catch up to you” So keep going. His enriching experience and wisdom, accumulated over a highly successful career, provided us with clear insight into Data Science.
Our second pathfinder, Ms. Aila Goc, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics, majoring in Actuarial Science, from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. With six years of experience in the actuarial field, she specializes in property and casualty insurance. She is dedicated to mastering the art of quantifying potential losses and ensuring the best decisions for the company. Ms. Goc began her career in data processing as a Market Researcher at Universal Robina Corporation, which led her to become an Actuarial Analyst in Reserving and Ceded Pricing at Arch Global Services Philippines Incorporated. Her journey reflects a commitment to continuous learning and excellence in her profession.
Ms. Aila Goc showed us the various paths we can explore in the field of Actuarial Science, giving us a glimpse of the real challenges our future roles might entail. The discussion highlighted the benefits of acquiring knowledge and skills in Actuarial Science to build our career paths. She explained that actuaries predict and measure the probability and risk of future needs, empowering us to assist companies and clients in their business decisions. It is crucial to understand the roles, tools, and skills necessary for a strong foundation, such as problem-solving, strategic planning, and probability measurements, which are key to succeeding as an actuary. Understanding the background of actuarial science, the role of an actuary, the essential skills, and the specific tasks involved helps us navigate our career paths effectively and improve ourselves as soon as possible.