In the ever-changing world of technology it is often people who make the difference.
Miguel Vargas, Senior Research and Data Scientist at ipoque, is a prime example for how passion, curiosity and the will to change things can lead to a fulfilling and successful career. In his role as Data Scientist at ipoque he overcomes complex challenges on a daily basis and develops innovative solutions that make use of advances in artificial intelligence.
In this interview we get to know more about Miguel’s career, the challenges he overcame and what fascinates him most about his work at ipoque.
Miguel, what is it that you do as a Data Scientist at ipoque and what makes your work so special?
My work revolves around tackling the various challenges posed by the rapid growth and development of today’s internet landscape, Miguel explains. As a Data Scientist, I work on identifying and implementing cutting-edge solutions that utilize advances in artificial intelligence. What makes this type of work interesting is that I get the chance to solve real and complex problems and find creative solutions.
Moreover, this job encourages a special learning mentality due to the constant technological change. I find the cooperation with various colleagues from all over Rohde & Schwarz, as well as different teams, such as Software Development, Quality Assurance, AI-related work groups, the International Developer’s Conference or the developer forum Data Analysis, to be particularly enriching.
“This work is particularly rewarding as it allows me to solve real-life complex problems and find creative solutions while working in an environment that encourages openness, tolerance and innovation.”
- Miguel Vargas -
You mentioned the secrets of the universe, how did your journey from the world of physics lead you to the role of a data scientist?
My career path began in Colombia where I studied theoretical physics. Fascinated by elementary particle physics, I applied for a scholarship for a Master's program in Germany. Fortunately everything worked out in the end and this opportunity has allowed me to embark on a new multicultural world full of opportunities and challenges, a journey in search of fundamental insights into the origin of the universe, a fascinating topic that I have continued to explore as part of my doctoral thesis. After obtaining my doctorate I wanted to explore the unknown and face new challenges once again, Miguel remembers.
This curiosity aroused my interest in climate science as well as artificial intelligence and their uses. With increasing understanding of these topics, I began to apply for different positions outside of the academy until the best opportunity surfaced in the role of Data Scientist at ipoque.
What motivated you to work at ipoque?
ipoque simply left the best impression in the interview. While talking to my future manager Martin Mieth, Director Network Analytics and VP Engineering, I realized there was a strong connection between my personal values, my interests and the mission statement of the company “make ideas real”. The challenge, for which I was hired later on, lied in promoting a safer and connected world by developing the next generation of networking software solutions based on fundamental AI R&D. It was also particularly important to me that the company values inclusivity, diversity, collaboration and a good work-life balance. Additionally, the position gave me the opportunity to make a significant contribution through research and development of innovative solutions.
“Now, many years after I first started, I really value the cooperation with clever, funny and supporting colleagues and the professional and flexible working environment.”
- Miguel Vargas -
Which challenges did you have to face on your journey and how did you overcome them?
Coming from a background of physics, I initially had some considerable gaps in programming, in my role as Data Scientist. Another challenge was to collaborate as a team and develop an AI solution, which other software developers would integrate, despite of them not having an AI background. This taught me how to effectively communicate my findings and ideas.
In order to improve my technical skills, I took a two-fold approach: I visited seminars and classes offered by Rohde & Schwarz and Udemy, and I concentrated on actively being open to learn from others. Collaborating with different universities and supervising bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral theses also helped me to better understand concepts and best practices in the field.
“It was a challenge to bring my technical skills up to the professional level that is expected in the industry. But through continuous learning and collaborating with talented colleagues, I was able to overcome these hurdles.”
- Miguel Vargas -
You mentioned your technical skills and willingness to learn. What tools do you use on a daily basis as Data Scientist?
As a Data Scientist at ipoque, it is one of my main goals to discover and provide valuable insights for my team during the development of projects. This task requires the use of a plethora of tools and techniques. It includes an easy-to-use programming language, data visualization approaches, machine learning algorithms, frameworks for orchestrating and managing workflows, version control systems and standard process guidelines for developing solutions.
In order to work efficiently I mainly use Python, as it offers a versatile environment full of libraries that are ideal for statistical analysis, data visualization and machine learning. Other basic tools in my daily work are Docker/Kubernetes, which provide consistency and scalability for deploying applications in different environments, Airflow as a standard for planning data pipelines or workflows and GitLab for a structured and collaborative approach to managing code. The application of the CRISP ML(Q) methodology is particularly important as it helps us to ensure high standards in the development of solutions.
Miguel Vargas' journey represents the essence of a data scientist at ipoque: a blend of curiosity, continuous learning, and the ability to solve complex problems with innovative solutions. His story demonstrates how diverse experiences and a passion for discovery can lead to a fulfilling data science career.
Interested in joining our innovative team and beginning your own journey with ipoque? Check out our open positions on our careers page and take the first step toward a rewarding career with us.
