On April 26th, our Current Topics class was treated to a virtual visit by Lindsey Spoden, Data Management Analyst for InSinkErator, a subsidiary of Whirlpool.
The students especially enjoyed hearing about Lindsey’s unique professional journey that took her from pastry chef to her current role as a Data Management Analyst. Due to the variety of challenges culinary professionals faced during the pandemic, Lindsey made the decision to pivot. During this period, she was able to fast-track her MBA, reducing her program time from two years to approximately 18 months, all while discovering her passion for analytics. Furthermore, she began as an entry level Data Analyst during her last semester of study and was promoted to Data Science Supervisor shortly following the completion of her degree.
Using Transferable Skills
Lindsey noted that the biggest difference between her role as a pastry chef and as a data analyst was being on a computer. This was initially challenging as she was switching between platforms while also navigating the relationship between the various platforms! Therefore, there was a need for “knowledge of the process” which naturally happened as she gained more work experience in the new position. Although there was a learning curve, Lindsey leaned on the invaluable transferable skills of her former professional experience, such as, humility, interpersonal communication, and the acceptance of critical feedback.
Working at Whirlpool
At Whirlpool, Lindsey is a part of an environment that fosters growth and innovation. With the support of her team, she focuses on data visualization and data management using tools like DOMO and Snowflake. A typical workday involves immediate concerns such as catching up on tickets from internal customers as well as assessing if data platforms are functioning properly. She also meets with customers from different departments and helps them with various tasks such as dashboarding and building new data sources.
So, what does it mean to be a successful Whirlpool employee?
“We are staying up to date, knowing what is happening in the world, and looking at new ideas,” Lindsey states. In fact, management applauds her strengths and allows time for professional development, which has made a tremendous difference. This gives her the flexibility to devote small increments to learning and stick to a realistic goal. When asked if she could go back five years and give herself advice, Lindsey said, “to build a self-awareness of strengths, interests and skills” and “be realistic about your skill set and job expectations.”
Continued Love for Baking
Fortunately for those in her closest circles, Lindsey has not abandoned all aspects of her previous career! She still enjoys making pies, kids’ birthday cakes and a special family favorite, crème brulée.
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