How studying data science lets me design better customer solutions

If data is the new oil, then data science is the new refinery.

I was recently asked whether studying Data Science has helped me in my day-to-day job. My response was yes, but not in an obvious way - it's resulted in better designed customer solutions by improving my empathy.

Let me take a step back. For the past few years, I've been leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform integrations for enterprise clients. I often describe the work as similar to being a clothing tailor. If a software consultancy is a bespoke tailor that customizes every detail at a premium price; than, a SaaS platform is a made-to-measure tailor who cuts from an existing pattern at an economical price. Over time, I've learned how to measure and cut software for customers of all shapes, sizes, and sophistication.