For this “Meet the CSE Series” blog post, CSE Career Captain, Djounia Saint-Fleurant, MBA’24, interviewed Associate Director, Career Strategies and MSBA Career Coach, Kristen Babineau.
Building Relationships, Leaving Comfort Zones, and Technical Portfolios with Kristen Babineau
In the world of data analytics, having a supportive and knowledgeable guide can make all the difference in launching a successful career. Kristen Babineau, Associate Director, Career Strategies and the MSBA Career Coach at Brandeis International Business School, embodies this role with her deep passion for technology and unwavering dedication to helping students excel in the field. In this blog post, I delve into a conversation with Kristen, uncovering her journey, favorite small talk topics, and invaluable insights for aspiring data analysts.
– Djounia
What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education and career services, and how did you get your start in the field?
I found my passion for higher education and career services by chance. After working in various roles in PR and Marketing, I really wasn’t enjoying myself. I reflected on my enjoyable experiences volunteering for nonprofits and doing community service during my undergraduate years. This led me to take on temporary work at Boston College, where I eventually landed a full-time position in the International Studies office handling finances. While there, I discovered my love for working with students and later moved on to work in admissions at Stanford for several years before landing in the School of Education’s career services office.
Along the way, I earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Boston College while also working full-time in my career. It was a challenge to balance both, but I am glad that I was able to do it.
What do you find most rewarding about your work in career services, and what are some of your proudest accomplishments in the field?
I find the most rewarding aspect of my work in career services to be building relationships with people, especially students. Getting to know their ambitions, helping them make decisions, and guiding them through their career choices is incredibly fulfilling. Relationship building is a strength of mine, and I truly love that aspect of my work. Additionally, maintaining contact with the people I’ve worked with over the years has been amazing. I still keep in touch with individuals I met during my Stanford years through platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, and having a broad network is truly wonderful.
As for my proudest accomplishments in the field, there are a few notable ones. When I started at Stanford in their career services office within the School of Education, it was a completely new endeavor. The office had never existed before, and we built it from scratch. Being part of the inaugural team and witnessing the growth and success of the office has been an incredible accomplishment. During that time, I also initiated and launched a LinkedIn group called “Stanford EdCareers” in its early days, which still exists today.
At Brandeis, although I’m relatively new here, one of the accomplishments I am the most proud of was teaching a class called “Launching Your Global Career” for the first time. It was a new experience for me as I had never taught before, and I only had two weeks’ notice to prepare. Despite the initial fear and challenges, I’m incredibly proud of successfully stepping out of my comfort zone and delivering the course.
Generally, what is your biggest piece of advice for students on how to be successful? What can students do now to increase their chances of being successful in the future?
One of the biggest principles in my life is to always try to be proactive.. You can’t sit back and expect opportunities to come to you. Be proactive and build your network. Have informal conversations with people you respect and admire, as these connections can open doors to new possibilities.
More specifically, what advice do you have for students who are just starting out in their careers in data analytics and business? What are some of the key skills and traits besides technical skills that you think are essential for success in these fields?
For anyone in data analytics, it’s crucial to develop coding skills, such as SQL and Python, as they are the backbone of the job. Practice coding regularly, take on side projects to enhance your skills, and always remember that technical expertise alone is not enough.
Soft skills are also critical for data analysts. You need to be able to collaborate with others effectively. As an analyst, you will often need to work with different departments and gather information from various sources. Being able to work well in a team and collaborate with colleagues is crucial in this regard.
You also need to be able to tell a compelling story with your data and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Lastly, data analytics is a dynamic field and being able to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies is essential.
As an MSBA career coach, what specific advice do you have for students who are developing their technical portfolios, and how do you recommend they leverage them in their job search?
Firstly, it’s important to have a picture in your portfolio that makes you look approachable. A welcoming picture goes a long way. Secondly, make sure to include all your contact information, such as LinkedIn, email, and phone number, readily accessible on the front page. You don’t want employers to have to scroll down to find your contact details.
Another key point is not to overload your main website with too much code. It’s better to house your code on platforms like GitHub. Use platforms like WordPress to display images and tell a story, while keeping your code on GitHub for reference. On your main tech portfolio page, showcase the projects you’ve worked on and explain them in a way that tells a story about the data. You can always direct employers to GitHub for more details about the code. It’s also crucial to note that you can’t fake the ability to walk people through your projects. You need to be able to explain your work.
Finally, I always advise students to add their projects to their portfolio as they progress through their program. Don’t wait until you’re done to start building your portfolio. Continuously update and add to it, treating it as a living document. By the time you’re ready to look for jobs, your portfolio will be well-developed and ready to share with potential employers.
What’s your favorite small talk topic? Basically, if a student wanted to initiate a really fun conversation with you, what should they talk about?
Personally, I always like to ask people where they grew up or currently live. It often leads to interesting conversations as they share their personal stories, backgrounds, and experiences. This topic can take the conversation in various directions and allow for a deeper connection.
Another topic I enjoy discussing is podcasts. I’ve been really into podcasts lately. When someone asks me about the latest podcast I’m listening to, it gives me an opportunity to share my interests and what intrigues me at the moment. It’s a great way to learn something unique about a person and engage in a conversation that is less informal.
This original CSE blog post was written by Djounia Saint-Fleurant, MBA’24, and copy-edited by Stephanie Borr ’22, MA’23.
