Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I’m from a small town in Romania that was near the border of the Republic of Moldova. I studied Computer Science and Mathematics and I was 100% certain that I wanted to become an engineer, as I come from a whole family of engineers. However, I eventually changed my mind and ended up studying Economics and Finance at the University of Surrey. When I first suggested it to family and friends, they weren’t happy about it. They said I was already good at maths and computer science and that I don’t know anything about economics. However, I thought they don’t know what I could be capable of, and I still went ahead with the subject.
That’s why I was happy to find this role straight out of university, as it unites all these subjects and skills, I had been developing into one position and I’m glad I stuck with my decision.
You’ve now been at ARM for 9 months, what’s a typical day like for you as a junior data analyst?
Our day will usually start with client-related requests. We work with all clients across the agency and always need to be up-to-date on all the technicalities of each client, to ensure that our ARMalytics system continuously contains the latest data, ensuring the planning teams meet their deadlines.
In a way, it can be challenging but also very rewarding when you see a full list of 50 to 100 requests at the end of the week, all completed. I get a great sense of accomplishment. The rest of the day might involve looking into bigger projects, such as econometric estimations, improvements of the ARMalytics platform, etc.
Some tasks might only require only one or two of ARMlabs teams, or indeed all of us united and we each contribute to the project or task at hand. For example, when onboarding a new client, we create tags (ARM proprietary tag, Tag4ARM) for them to place on their websites. Tag4ARM collects all the data of where web visitors have come from, such as various ad campaigns and other traffic driving sources. When it comes to customisations of the tags, the systems and TechOps teams will all be involved in the execution. We have several projects for which we work all together on, but in general all econometrics work comes from the data team; deep troubleshooting and setting up of the automated processes comes from the systems team; whilst TechOps builds the tools required for attribution and data visualisation of the digital world.
The Data Science, Systems and TechOps Teams have now all merged to make ARMlabs; how has this change been so far and where do you think it’s heading?
Our teams have always worked closely together, and we depend on each other in terms of fulfilling the tasks that we have. The change brings us even closer together but also simply highlights the seamless nature of the teams. This projects to the integrated client account teams that we work so closely with. I think this change is going to bring agency-wide improvements and will further encourage new ideas from all areas of ARMlabs to continue driving client campaign performance.
What’s your favourite thing about your job?
It’s very nice to find a role that fully combines the subjects I’ve studied. I knew I wanted to do econometrics and to find a job in it plus the coding part. Finding this role straight out of university makes me feel very lucky. I also feel like in the last 9 months I’ve gained more skills that I couldn’t have imagined at the beginning.
What’s your favourite thing about working at All Response Media?
It would be my team. I’m aware that it’s not always easy to find such a great level of support and understanding in companies and teams in general. The seniors are very approachable and supportive and I’m really happy I can always count on my team. I also enjoy working for a media agency like All Response Media that gives you so much experience. I get to work with so many different types of companies rather than be a data analyst for one type of company and just one industry.
What’s your most memorable moment at All Response Media so far?
I was nervous before I started since I didn’t know how strict and serious my life is going to be. We do work hard, however, we have a lot of fun together as well. Not long after I joined last year, we had the Christmas party. I remember dancing with and passing out drinks to people in different teams and different levels of seniorities. It was nice to feel fully accepted by not just my team but the whole company and that we’re able to all mix together and get along. I like that we also have moments such as the Christmas party where you can speak to people you don’t work with daily. Everyone is friendly and easy to get on with.
You moved to London not long before starting here, what’s your favourite thing to do in London in your spare time?
I’m quite nerdy, although I enjoy going to the pub and experiencing London’s nightlife, I also love to go and see all the museums and different exhibitions. There are so many different cultural things to see in London, that I feel you won’t get to experience elsewhere. There’s history, science, data security, fashion, etc. I’m going to see an exhibition on cybersecurity soon.
Do you have any hidden talents or facts that people here don’t know about you?
I used to play professional basketball for 2 years in Romania. I ended up breaking my nose twice and then after a lot of pressure from my mum to be more girly, I ended up joining a modelling agency for 2 and a half years. I went from being a full tomboy in basketball trainers and shorts to high heels and makeup.
It’s interesting how you’ve managed to explore and experience many different paths and gone on different journeys with what you want to do
It has made me see that you can do anything. If there’s something you’re interested in, you can go for it! You’re never too “girly” to play sports and you’re not too much of a tomboy to do something like modelling.
I stopped modelling because although I love the world of fashion, there is much more to me than that. I was still interested in the IT world and I felt I had to ask myself what path would be best for me, what I could excel in, and what do I want to be most known for. I would rather be seen as a professional working in computer science.
If you could compare yourself to any animal which would it be and why?
I’m a typical cat person. I love dogs just as much, but my personality is very much that of a cat. I do everything on my terms, and I can be a bit sassy.
