The Role of a Data Scientist at Highberg: Lea Thormählen
At Highberg, data science plays a key role in helping organizations make informed, evidence-based decisions. To give you a closer look at what this work entails, we spoke with one of our Data Scientists, Lea Thormählen, about her role, the types of projects she works on, and what it’s like to be part of the Highberg team. From equal pay analyses to building dashboards and collaborating with colleagues across disciplines, their experience highlights both the technical challenges and the real-world impact of data science.
Can you explain your role as a Data Scientist?
As a Data Scientist, I analyze data and provide insights that help clients make better decisions. I mostly focus on understanding the data and giving recommendations based on it. My role involves working closely with clients to understand their challenges and advising them based on our analyses. Additionally, I contribute to internal product development, helping enhance our tools and offerings.
What projects are you currently working on?
I currently work on projects focused on equal pay, analyzing whether companies are compensating men and women fairly for equal work. This area is becoming increasingly important with new regulations and legislation, and our analyses help companies identify gaps and take actionable steps toward equity. In addition, I work on dashboarding projects that provide companies with clear insights into their data, processes, and data quality, helping them make informed, data-driven decisions.
What does your typical workweek look like?
A typical workweek for me starts on Monday with our planning meeting, where we discuss our tasks for the week, share updates, and offer support to each other. Client projects take priority, so most of my time is spent analyzing data, creating reports, building dashboards, and attending project related meetings. We also have dedicated time each week for internal tasks, such as developing products, training, or coaching.
I enjoy the flexibility of working both from home and the office, depending on what works best. Fridays are the busiest days in the office. We start with a team breakfast and wrap up the week with drinks and a traditional Dutch “borrel” — a great way to connect with colleagues.
Do you work independently or as part of a team?
I primarily work independently or in a very small team, usually with a project manager and, at most, one other data scientist. Because I mostly work on short-term projects, the teams are small which makes collaboration direct and gives me a lot of ownership over my work.
What do you find most enjoyable about working with data?
What I enjoy most about working as a data scientist is the combination of technical and interpersonal aspects. I like diving into the data and applying the skills I developed during my studies to uncover insights. At the same time, my work isn’t just happening in the background, I also have direct client contact, which makes it motivating to see how my analyses translate into concrete actions and real impact for clients.
Which tools do you use most often?
I work mainly with Python for data preprocessing and tool development, and I also use SQL for some projects. For dashboarding, I primarily work with Power BI, but I also use Tableau when it is required by the client.
Do you collaborate with other disciplines at Highberg?
I collaborate closely with colleagues from different disciplines such as Data Engineers, Market Researchers, and consultants from various areas. This allows us to exchange knowledge, combine expertise, and support each other where needed. Collaboration across fields within Highberg is becoming more and more common, which creates a strong learning environment and helps us deliver comprehensive solutions to clients.
Can you share an example of how your work had clear impact on a client?
Through our equal pay analyses, we help clients identify specific areas where pay differences exist between men and women for the same work. This allows them to take targeted actions to make their pay structures fairer and more balanced and being prepared for upcoming legislation.
How do you get the opportunity to experiment or learn at Highberg?
I get to learn a lot through the different client projects we work on. It’s a great way to try out different areas and find out what I enjoy most. During internal product development, we also spend time brainstorming, researching, and exploring new ideas, and anyone who wants to can take on a task and be part of the development. On top of that, there’s time set aside for trainings or courses I want to partake in, which helps me keep growing in my role.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a Data Scientist at Highberg?
I would say that being a Data Scientist at Highberg is really enjoyable, especially because of the team. Everyone is welcoming and supportive, which makes learning on the job much easier. There are also many opportunities to work on a variety of projects, so no week is the same. This role isn’t the typical “behind-the-scenes” data job, but you are in direct contact with clients and colleagues, so it’s important that you enjoy working with people as well as with data.
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