Ad Age interviews Rich Rodts, IBM’s manager for solution specialists and global academic programs, regarding the work IBM is doing to ensure that companies will have a sufficient pool of data scientists to meet their needs. (How IBM Is Schooling Tomorrow’s Data Scientists)
“If we need to grow these skills, if we need to build this bench so to speak, we need to work with academia to create those individuals who are going to be the next generation of data scientists,” said Mr. Rodts.
Mr. Rodts has overseen an IBM integration with GM at Michigan State University on a program in which IBM assisted in implementing technology and business coaching. Such programs, managed by IBM, usually last around eight weeks. Another IBM collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline at Yale led to jobs at the pharma giant for two students from the Ivy League institution.
“It provides a very unique experience for the student where the student is gaining that knowledge but also learning to engage the client,” said Mr. Rodts, noting that the programs often involve students interviewing business clients and discussing their data needs. “It literally does become a consulting project.”
- Full Interview: How IBM Is Schooling Tomorrow’s Data Scientists
- Learn more about what a data scientist does
Adam Gartenberg 