Meet Sarah Taws – TL Tech
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Within the newest instalment of our weblog collection we interview Sarah Taws to search out out extra about how she acquired into Information Science, what it’s been like learning and dealing remotely, the issues that you just would possibly discover her doing exterior of labor and what recommendation she has for folks desirous about studying extra about Information Science.
We’re actually lucky to have Sarah with us for the summer time on placement. Sarah is performing some nice work taking a look at how we finest interpret and visualise the info inside Kindspace so that folks perceive their wellbeing developments over time. She has proven an actual down-to-earth strategy to work and life and we hope that you just take pleasure in attending to know her as a lot as we have now.
We stay in an ageing society. However what does that actually imply?
Within the subsequent 20 years the stability of younger and previous will shift to the purpose the place there will likely be one aged individual for each two folks of working age. The problem this presents is two-fold, a discount in relations capable of present help and a smaller pool {of professional} carers.
TL Tech is a Good Properties Options supplier with a distinction. We assist folks get the most effective out of sensible house applied sciences and create distinctive house environments to satisfy their wants and funds. Our imaginative and prescient is to “create a house that cares for you as you age”.
Good house applied sciences have the facility to remodel lives, particularly for the susceptible in our society. This weblog collection will likely be seeking to showcase the alternatives, discover out extra in regards to the folks working on this discipline and the way we are able to create a world the place “sensible meets type ®”.
How did you get into Information Science?
It’s actually odd to consider how I ended up doing a MSc in Well being Information Science, and actually a part of me needs to say it was all the way down to luck?
At college there was by no means actually a self-discipline I favoured or was higher at. I bear in mind when it was time to start out making use of for college my advisor stated, “you’re good at every thing, you could be something you wish to be”. I do know this was meant as a praise, however I used to be completely misplaced, and actually fairly envious of everybody else who appeared to be so certain on what they wished to do. My Dad suggested me to do one thing I loved, and with that I utilized to check my favorite topic: Historical past.
I accepted a spot on the College of Aberdeen, the place you might have the chance to take programs exterior of your diploma, so I did every thing from Archaeology to Psychology to Economics! It was by this that I discovered a love for Sociology (a topic that was not supplied at my college) and made the choice to modify levels in my second 12 months. Throughout my honours years I did a course on ‘Social Analysis Strategies’ which launched the sensible evaluation of quite a lot of information, utilizing quantitative strategies comparable to SPSS. This was a course that caught with me as it’s utilized in a approach to perceive and ‘seize’ the world we stay in.
After I graduated, I knew I wished to do a postgrad, however I wasn’t certain what path to go in and I wanted to save lots of up some cash. As I’ve recognised {qualifications} in jewelry, I took a full-time job in a boutique known as ROX – Diamonds & Thrills, and dabbled in a part-time Worldwide Enterprise Administration MSc which I shortly realised wasn’t the path I wished to go in.
Throughout lockdown it gave me the time (or possibly the push) to consider what I actually wished to do. I knew I used to be after a course that was information oriented, however I additionally wished to really feel as if I used to be serving to folks. That’s when I discovered the Well being Information Science MSc and after emailing the course coordinator I utilized and was in a short time accepted! I used to be additionally fortunate sufficient to be supplied a scholarship by The DataLab to cowl the price of my tuition charges.
Though it’s the first 12 months the College of Aberdeen has supplied this diploma, I’ve met so many nice folks and discovered some useful abilities throughout disciplines comparable to well being analysis, statistics and computing sciences. I actually can’t wait to see the potential this space has for the way forward for healthcare.
What do you love to do exterior of labor?
I’m fairly an energetic individual, so that you’ll usually discover me doing something that entails being out of the home. With lockdown I acquired again into mountaineering, and I at all times discover it’s a pleasant approach to escape actuality for some time as you are inclined to haven’t any cellphone service. My favorite place to hike is Faucet o’ Noth Hillfort, it’s not that removed from Bennachie but fairly unknown which suggests there are by no means that many individuals there. Truly, this weekend I went to Burn O’Vat for the primary time which was actually stunning.
I even have a love/hate relationship with spinning. The primary time I attended a spin class I had completely no thought what was happening, learn how to set the bike, nor was I capable of sit down comfortably for a couple of week! Now I can say it’s one thing I actually take pleasure in, and I’m going round 3-4 instances per week. Nonetheless, I nonetheless don’t know learn how to set the bike correctly…
Should you may go on vacation anyplace proper now, the place would it not be and why?
Oh straightforward, Barbados.
About 10 years in the past I went on a household vacation there and each second of it was simply superb – the folks, the climate, and particularly the meals. We stayed at a resort known as ‘Turtle Seashore’ and sure, child turtles did hatch and exit to sea whereas we had been there! I feel among the best days there was after we went out on a catamaran to go turtle and shipwreck snorkelling; though I did fully burn my again (how I didn’t suppose the ocean would take off all my sunscreen I’ll by no means know!).
It’s additionally the place my Dad and Step Mum acquired married, so it would at all times be someplace that holds particular reminiscences for us all.
Are you a espresso or a tea individual?
Espresso! I’m actually not a functioning human being with out my morning repair. To suppose, a pair years in the past I completely hated the stuff!
There’s a very cute café known as ‘Shelter Espresso’ simply on the fringe of campus the place I’m going to seize my almond milk latte and take a stroll by Seaton Park if the solar is out.
Do you might have a favorite creator, blogger or podcast?
With the quantity of studying I’ve performed all through the years learning, I’d say I’ve been transformed to a podcast form of woman now. I discover it a very good approach to swap off and relaxation my eyes after being on my pc doing work all day.
I actually take pleasure in TED Talks as there may be such quite a lot of matters to select from, often lasting not more than 20 minutes every. I really like that it’s basically a clearinghouse for sharing and spreading concepts from all over the world, and I’ve discovered an ideal deal about myself as nicely. It was truly this platform which helped me determine between Information Science and Well being Information Science, particularly: Hans Rosling │ The Finest Stats You’ve Ever Seen – not solely is it very insightful, he’s an unbelievable public speaker and fairly humorous too.
Additionally, an previous buddy and work colleague of mine, Antonia, lately began her personal podcast together with her finest buddy Charlotte known as ‘Muddling By’. On this podcast they chat about every thing from publish lockdown anxieties to their worst adulting failures and every thing in between, I’d undoubtedly give it a hear should you’re after a superb chuckle!
Click on right here to search out out extra in regards to the Muddling By podcast.
What are your prime ideas for sustaining wellbeing?
I’d say my prime ideas for sustaining wellbeing are:
- Join with Others.
- It may be exhausting to attach with others after we’re busy, burdened or feeling low. Nonetheless, connecting with pals or household, whether or not that be on-line or in individual, can cease you from feeling lonely and provide help to really feel happier. Even once I simply textual content a buddy to speak about how I’m feeling, I discover how a lot my temper improves.
- Sleep Properly.
- As a pupil used to late nights or all-nighters, this wasn’t one I gave a lot credit score till lately. Nonetheless, a superb evening’s sleep makes a exceptional distinction to how we really feel each bodily and mentally, particularly when it comes to improved temper, productiveness and focus.
- Have You-Time.
- I feel it’s actually necessary to take time for your self and do issues that make you cheerful, whether or not that’s having fun with your favorite passion or taking the time to calm down. I really feel extra content material and it could actually assist management emotions of stress. Ask your self, when was the final time you probably did one thing for your self?
What has your expertise been like learning and now working remotely?
I’m probably not certain learn how to give a definitive reply on this.
On the one hand it has been actually difficult as I’ve struggled to search out the work-life stability being at house. I’ve additionally missed the social elements and every day interactions that include bodily attending college/work, however fortunately I’ve managed to make some new pals (even with a poor WIFI connection!).
Conversely, learning and dealing remotely has given me the liberty to create my very own schedule, take breaks when wanted, and meet my deadlines and objectives all from the consolation of my own residence. I feel it has proven that folks don’t must attend the everyday workplace setting to be productive, and we are able to see this as many locations are actually implementing distant working into their insurance policies.
What recommendation would you give to folks eager to get began in Information Science?
First, I’d suggest performing some analysis to see if Information Science is one thing you’ll truly take pleasure in. Possibly check out some on-line programs or converse to folks inside completely different disciplines. It’s a really giant discipline, with many job alternatives and routes obtainable, so it’d simply be discovering the correct area of interest for you. Then, I’d simply go for it. Sure, information is messy and it may be overwhelming at instances, however I promise you’re going to get there should you maintain attempting.
Information science is a massively huge self-discipline. It’s nice to see extra specialist programs being developed notably in Well being and Medication to help innovation in these areas. I feel what Sarah exhibits is that you would be able to come from any background and don’t essentially must be very techy and actually having earlier expertise in different areas is absolutely helpful on your strategy to studying and downside fixing.
