DataSquad is a group of student workers in ITS that works on various different data-related projects. These include data gathering, cleaning, management, and visualization projects.
Data and data problems are everywhere and our aim is to make research and work life easier on campus. The tasks range from simple to thorny. Working alone, or in small project-focused groups, DataSquad members will utilize and build on their programming and or data analysis skills to solve data problems or solve problems with data. Languages typically include Python, R, Java, Javascript, Google Script, and SQL. Additionally, DataSquad members will develop associated supporting materials following the FAIR data principles; project documentation, stakeholder-focused communications, and technical reports.
Students interested in working with the DataSquad are encouraged to check out the various position descriptions below. Each description includes the link to an application form and a request for a resume.
If you have any questions, please contact Paula Lackie at: plackie@carleton.edu
DataSquad – Assistant Data Scientist
DataSquad-Assistant Data Scientist primarily will assist with data-related projects undertaken by the supervisor of all DataSquad projects; Paula Lackie. In this position, DataSquad members will wrangle, sculpt, develop, and/or visualize a wide range of data sources and formats, often working in small teams. The main goal is to take information from its source and programmatically convert it into formats suitable for the stakeholder and/or the project. The projects are all real-world problems; some from research, many from administrative offices. All work will be managed following FAIR data principles. Additional DataSquad work will include blogging about projects or internships and promoting the DataSquad and its activities. For more information about previous projects and Squad members, see https://carletondatasquad.bitbucket.io
Application Procedure: please use this form https://forms.gle/CTY4FbzNbWwTxiNo9
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities/Duties: DataSquad members will utilize and build on their programming and or data analysis skills to solve data problems or solve problems with data (typically in languages that include Python, R, Java, Javascript, Google Script, and SQL). Additionally, DataSquad members will develop associated supporting materials following the FAIR data principles; project documentation, stakeholder-focused communications, and technical reports.
Additional Job Responsibilities: DataSquad members will be expected to learn about and follow the communications protocols agreed upon by the Squad. Complete communication is essential to a useful and sustainable workflow. Note that this job has surprised previous students with how well they do when they engage with the work and how challenging it can be to stay on task.
Supervision Received and Exercised: Once a project has been taken on and communications have been designed and/or scheduled, the DataSquad member will be expected to work on their own and manage their hours. Work includes tracking issues and accomplishments as they progress using project management protocols as agreed. Upon completion of a Squad member’s work on a project (or at milestone points in large projects), they will be strongly encouraged to write a public-facing blog post. Their blog portfolio will help document the project, promote the Datasquad, and support the student’s career development. In all cases, support is available from other Squad members as well as from the supervisor/s.
Hours Required: The work is challenging and it is not possible to do homework at the same time. However, it is possible to negotiate with Paula Lackie for fewer hours per week. A minimum of 4 hours/week is needed to maintain a grasp on your DataSquad work.
Education/Experience/Skills (supported by job duties): DataSquad members need to have or will develop a fundamental programming background (comfort in one programming language that can be built upon), experience writing for a non-technical audience, and a sound understanding of the many ways in which data may be made more useful through a variety of manipulations or organizational structures.
Minimum Qualifications: some coding experience is needed, but primarily, the ability and tenacity to troubleshoot and debug code is of utmost importance.
Desired Qualities: A drive to detangle and create order in information is a hallmark of a successful Squad member.
Contact Information: Paula Lackie plackie@carleton.edu (please use a very clear subject line)
Other Relevant Information: Feel free to contact current students on the Squad. The work is unusual, can be rewarding and demanding, and it always opens students up to a host of opportunities. Most DataSquad alumni report that it was their experience on the DataSquad that got them noticed in job applications.
NOTE: This description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
DataSquad – Lead Data Scientist
DataSquad-Programming Leads will lead data-related projects under the supervision of the DataSquad supervisor; Paula Lackie. In this position, DataSquad members will wrangle, sculpt, develop, and/or visualize a wide range of data sources and formats, often leading small teams. The main goal is to parse projects/problems from our clients into a workflow that results in a product. The projects are all real-world problems; some from research, many from administrative offices. All work will be managed following FAIR data principles. Additional DataSquad work will include blogging about projects or internships, supporting the other Squad members, and promoting the DataSquad and its activities. For more information about previous projects and Squad members, see https://carletondatasquad.bitbucket.io
Application Procedure: please use this form https://forms.gle/CTY4FbzNbWwTxiNo9
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities/Duties: DataSquad members will utilize and build on their programming and or data analysis skills (typically in but not limited to Python, R, Java, Javascript, and SQL) as well as develop project management skills to solve data problems. Additionally, DataSquad members will develop associated supporting materials following the FAIR data principles; which include project documentation, stakeholder-focused communications, and technical reports. The Leads will assure that the documentation is complete and work with the DataSquad Project Management Intern to archive the project upon completion.
Additional Job Responsibilities: DataSquad members will be expected to learn about and follow the communications protocols agreed upon by the group. Complete communication is essential to a useful and sustainable workflow.
Supervision Received and Exercised: Once a project has been taken on and communications have been designed and/or scheduled, the DataSquad Programming Leads will be expected to work on their own and maintain communications with their team as well as the Project Management Intern and Supervisor. Work includes tracking issues and accomplishments as they progress using project management protocols as agreed.
Hours Required: The work is challenging and it is not possible to do homework at the same time. However, it is possible to negotiate with Paula Lackie for fewer hours per week. A minimum of 6 hours/week is needed to maintain a grasp on your DataSquad work.
Education/Experience/Skills (supported by job duties): DataSquad-Programming Leads need to have a strong programming background. The more programming experience students have, the more technical the projects available to them.
Minimum Qualifications: coding experience is needed, but primarily, the ability and tenacity to troubleshoot and debug code, and work with peers is of utmost importance.
Desired Qualities: A drive to detangle and create order in information is a hallmark of a successful Squad member.
Contact Information: Paula Lackie plackie@carleton.edu (please use a very clear subject line)
Other Relevant Information: Feel free to contact current students on the Squad. The work is unusual, can be rewarding and demanding, and it always opens students up to a host of opportunities. Most DataSquad alumni report that it was their experience on the DataSquad that got them noticed in job applications.
NOTE: This description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
DataSquad – Technical Writer
DataSquad-Technical Writer will manage technical documents related to the DataSquad blog site (https://www.carleton.edu/its/blog/category/datasquad-blog/), including the maintenance and organization of the site as well as the creating, reviewing, editing, and publishing of blog posts drafted by Squad members. This is an excellent opportunity to practice technical writing with clarity and precision. The ability to communicate effectively is a well known desired skill in the tech industry and is one of the reasons employers like to hire liberal arts graduates.
Application Procedure: please use this form https://forms.gle/CTY4FbzNbWwTxiNo9
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities/Duties:
- WordPress management (https://www.carleton.edu/its/blog/category/datasquad-blog/ )
- Technical writing, editing, organizing, etc.
- Lead the analysis, planning, and development of the blog project workflow
- Oversee technical aspects and organization of blog postings in progress
- Facilitate communication with squad members regarding blog maintenance and technical blog posts as necessary
- And other duties as assigned
- Technical writing, editing, organizing, etc.
- Regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss the progress of the site
- With the DataSquad Project Management Intern; lead the analysis, planning, and development of the blog project workflow
- Work directly with DataSquad members to facilitate their writing and posting of project blog posts.
- Lead beginning Squad members in their work to assure that the DataSquad website is kept up to date (https://carletondatasquad.bitbucket.io/ )
- And other duties as assigned
DataSquad members will be expected to learn about and follow the communications protocols agreed upon by the group. Complete communication is essential to a useful and sustainable workflow.
Describe Supervision Received and Exercised: The DataSquad-Technical Writer/s will be expected to work on their own with backup from the Project Management Intern and their Supervisor. Work includes tracking issues and accomplishments as they progress using project management protocols as agreed.
Education/Experience/Skills (supported by job duties): The DataSquad-Technical Writer needs to be passionate about communicating well. Tableau experience (or strong desire to acquire it) is a bonus.
Contact Information: Paula Lackie plackie@carleton.edu (please use a very clear subject line)
Other Relevant Information: Feel free to contact current students on the Squad. The work is unusual, can be rewarding and demanding, and it always opens students up to a host of opportunities. Most DataSquad alumni report that it was their experience on the DataSquad that got them noticed in job applications.
NOTE: This description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
DataSquad – Project Management Intern
DataSquad-Project Management Intern will work primarily with Paula Lackie to help manage projects for the DataSquad. They will be expected to build their skills in team and project organization, communication, and scheduling, as well as develop skills in cloud collaboration tools (Trello, WordPress, Git, etc.), workflow design (scrum, waterfall, agile, etc.), and project-scope management. Along with DataSquad-Programming Leads, they will parse projects that wrangle, sculpt, develop, and/or visualize a wide range of data sources and formats. Additionally, the DataSquad-Project Management Intern work will include leading subteams of DataSquad members, blogging about projects or internships, and promoting the DataSquad and its activities.
The Project Management Intern is a paid academic year term position (2024-2025) jointly sponsored by the Career Center and Academic Technology.
Application: Students in all fields of study are welcome and encouraged to apply. Please fill out the Project Management Intern Application Form (https://forms.gle/3ncuZKKJV5RaQegP7), send a resume and the contact information for a faculty reference and a professional reference by Monday May 20, 2024 in order to receive full consideration. We will be conducting interviews as applicants are available, either in person or in a Google hangout.
This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in gaining professional skills and learning about the important field of project management. This includes building skills in team and project organization and scheduling, cloud collaboration tools (Asana, JIRA, Git, etc.), workflow design (scrum, waterfall, agile, etc.), as well as time and project-scope management. The intern will work primarily with Paula Lackie to help manage projects for the DataSquad. They will receive supervision and ongoing professional mentoring from IT project managers, including access to a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and conduct a basic, year-long research project – to be negotiated based on the interest of the successful applicant & needs within ITS.
The Project Management Intern will attend career development workshops offered by the Career Center each term. The intern will also participate in professional development opportunities including giving presentations, attending workshops, and writing executive summaries each term for the lead in whichever area of study is chosen for their year-long research project. As a final project, the intern will compile a digital portfolio or poster to showcase their project management work.
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities/Duties: The intern will meet weekly with a mentor to develop essential professional management skills, including:
- Consulting on ongoing DataSquad projects & helping to oversee the collection of technical projects in the DataSquad.
- Learning about the strengths and drawbacks of different project management and documentation techniques
Tracking and networking among professional project management organizations such as Minnesota PMI, PMI.org, and Twin Cities Interactive Project Management
Additional Job Responsibilities: The intern will be expected to develop and maintain the communications protocols agreed upon by the group. Complete communication is essential to a useful and sustainable workflow. With the DataSquad Technical Writer, the intern will maintain DataSquad manuals and assure that the website is up to date, useful, and appealing.
Supervision Received and Exercised: With regular meetings, the intern will be expected to work on their own. Work includes tracking issues and accomplishments as they progress using project management protocols as agreed.
Education/Experience/Skills (supported by job duties):
- Creative, mature, and responsible
- Independent and able to learn in a flexible and self-directed environment
- Interested in project management
- Capable of collaborating effectively
- Comfortable interacting with a wide range of students, faculty, and staff
- Comfortable with independently learning new technologies
- Experience with programming in multiple languages with individual and group projects
- Familiar with version control software tools
- Excellent in written and oral communication
Required Hours: 10 hours a week (180 hours per year) for the full academic year, including regular weekly group and individual meetings. Taking a term off for off-campus studies is allowed but interns must be on-campus during fall term for training purposes.
NOTE: This description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.