Today we lost the U.S. Supreme Court’s first female justice.

Sandra Day O’Connor was a trailblazer for women breaking into male-dominated fields. These “firsts” have forged paths for women and girls to dream big and make incredible impacts on the world.

Thank you, Justice O’Connor.

The exciting career buried under a boring disguise

The term “data-driven” has become a buzzword.

Data privacy is the hottest topic on the internet.

Oh, and data science jobs are predicted to increase by 35% over the next 10 years (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics — but what do they know?).

However, data science isn’t even on the radar of most teens:

Not boring

This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Johnson & Johnson has hired 6k data scientists in recent years, and spent hundreds of millions of dollars on their work.

Why?

Because they believe data scientists can train AI to discover life-saving drugs dramatically faster than humans.

That’s definitely not boring.

Once primarily associated with computer science and mathematics, data science is now embracing an interdisciplinary approach.

The integration of psychology, sociology, and other humanities into data science signifies a paradigm shift — and a huge opportunity for kids with diverse interests to jump into a lucrative field.

Here’s how you can help them. 👇

Dangle a curiosity carrot 🥕

At its core, data science is about asking the right questions and solving complex problems. If you can develop your kid’s curiosity, it will be easier to get them excited about data science.

❓Create a question-friendly environment: The best way to squash a kid’s curiosity is to be annoyed by their probes. Be open to answering their (relentless) questions, and volunteer to help them find the answers.

🔭 Encourage experimentation and exploration: Don’t overthink this — literally any DIY project will do the trick. Anything from rearranging the furniture in their bedroom to planting a garden can ignite the flame of curiosity in a kid.

🪞 Facilitate reflection: This part makes you the annoying question-asker. After your kid discovers something new, ask them what they learned, what surprised them, and what broader ideas they can deduct from the experience.

Connect the dots 🔴

If you haven’t realized it by now, data science is far more than just numbers. Kids who close their mind to a single field are going to be at a disadvantage, no matter what that field is.

Interdisciplinary learning is the answer.

📅 Every-day lessons: A multitude of subjects intersect in daily life — it simply needs to be highlighted. While cooking, discuss the chemistry of cooking (science), the history of a dish (social studies),  and the measurements used in the recipe (math).

📚 Read across the rainbow: Provide books on a wide range of topics, including fiction, non-fiction, science, history, and biographies, to encourage a love for diverse subjects.

⛸️ Introduce science to sports: All sports have a scientific component. For instance, my sport of figure skating is peppered with physics. 👇

The future of data science is about understanding our complex world in a nuanced way.

In reality, data science is the science of — everything.

Don't disregard disabilities

We all have value to add to the world.

But for those living with disabilities, their value is sadly often ignored.

This is especially discouraging for young people with disabilities who are preparing to enter the workforce.

When matched with the right job, disabled workers exhibit higher levels of efficiency, productivity, and accuracy.

There’s also evidence of lower turnover, higher motivation, and get this — double the profits for the businesses who employ them. 👇

And the world is starting to wake up to these benefits. 👀

In 2022, the U.S. labor force participation rate for people with disabilities was the highest it has ever been.

However, unemployment among the disabled workforce is still double the non-disabled workforce, highlighting persistent hurdles faced by disabled individuals in the labor market.

Leading the charge

Innovative companies around the world are working to close the gap.

👉 The Tradeblock Cafe in Australia is run by deaf high school students, not only providing them with practical work experience, but also fostering a unique environment where customers learn to engage with the deaf community.

👉 Alphapointe’s manufacturing business in New York employs more blind people than sighted people, demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of the visually impaired in a sector traditionally dominated by sight-based skills.

But some of the most remarkable efforts are coming from India. 👇

The Lemon Tree Hotel Company, which has 91 hotels across India and employs hundreds of disabled workers, has used strengths-based alignment to create opportunities across a broad spectrum.

They discovered:

• People with Down Syndrome excel at creating buffets with precision

• Deaf room attendants are 15% more productive

• Speaking or hearing-impaired employees are fully capable of serving guests through the use of notepads

Uniquely-abled in entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship within the disabled workforce is a compelling and often overlooked aspect of the employment narrative. 

9.5% of workers with a disability are self-employed, a rate higher than their non-disabled counterparts (6.1%).

Why?

Obstacles such as inaccessible workplaces, rigid work schedules, and, at times, discriminatory hiring practices could play a role.

But the success of disabled entrepreneurs also stems from their unique life experiences and perspectives. 

They are adept at identifying niches and opportunities that others might overlook and developing products or services that cater to underserved markets, such as these wheelchair gloves developed by Debbie Riggsby, a quadriplegic inventor.

Disabled entrepreneurs often embody the qualities essential for successful entrepreneurship: 

• Problem-solving skills

• Adaptability

• Perseverance

Their journey through personal and societal challenges equips them with a unique skill set to navigate the complexities of running a business. 

This resilience is a crucial factor in the success of any entrepreneurial venture.

Disabilities are gaining visibility

If you are the parent of a disabled child, you might feel at times that the world is stacked against them.

And that is a completely valid feeling.

But every day, small improvements are being made, and global cultures are awakening to the unique value that ability-diverse employees and entrepreneurs can deliver to us all. ❤️

Strengths-based job placement is the future

Hear me out:

This isn’t about narrowing down career options, it’s about widening them.

When the Lemon Tree Hotel Company began hiring employees with disabilities, they initially limited those roles to “back-of-house” functions.

That’s because they were restricting those employees to their existing skills — not their strengths.

They soon learned that while a “skill” might limit an individual with Down Syndrome to a function such as laundry or cleaning, their “strength” was their upbeat and friendly personality, which made them perfect for customer-facing functions.

In the case of the expanding multi-disciplinary approach to data science, strengths such as teamwork, communication, and collaborative leadership are a big focus.

Here’s a two-step exercise you can perform yourself:

1. Audit your strengths: Are you super patient? A great communicator? A savvy analyst?

2. Make a list of all the jobs that are supported by your strengths.

The list will be loooooooong — that’s the point. Hopefully a little self-reflection will help you guide your kid on their own strengths journey.

Until next time,

Ivy

CEO Prequel, BETA Camp, Apollo

Follow my journey on LinkedIn