Elliyah M. Bell

Data Analyst, LabCorp

And - Masters Student, Information Technology, UNC-Greensboro

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STEM is ever changing which means those working in STEM have to have a desire to learn new things continuously.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

As a data analyst, I am responsible for collecting and analyzing data for trends and patterns. I am also responsible for presenting that data in a form that is easily interpreted by groups that are not as knowledgeable of the data as myself. 

As a graduate student, I am studying business analytics and cyber security. With my business analytics concentration, I am studying technologies and methodologies for capturing and manipulating data to tell stories. With my cyber security concentration, I am studying various types of cyber threats and methods that can be used as protection from these threats.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?

I've known since I was a child that I wanted to work in technology but not necessarily as a data analyst. I grew up watching my brother build computers and that inspired me to learn more about them. 

I entered college as a Computer Science major but that quickly changed to Information Systems when I realized that math wasn't my strongest subject. Once I changed my major, I began to take business classes and this inspired me to find a role that would allow me to combine my technical skills and business acumen which lead me to data analytics.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"

My biggest achievement, so far, is graduating college. No one in my immediate family has completed more than a year of college so I entered undergrad with the odds stacked against me. As first generation college student it was not an easy feat but I made it happen and now I am working on my master's degree.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?

I love working in STEM because it gives me the opportunity to solve complex problems using technology. It also gives me the opportunity to have a positive impact on others while doing something that I am passionate about.

BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?

Utilize resources within your communities and online. There are a multitude of free resources online that can be used to prepare for a career in STEM. 

And learn as much as possible and develop a love for learning. STEM is ever changing which means those working in STEM have to have a desire to learn new things continuously.