By Kathryn McKenna, Editor Sync NI
For Emma Patton, Data Scientist at Aflac Northern Ireland, life is too short to work in a career which you are not truly passionate about.
Speaking exclusively to Sync NI recently, the First-Class Honours graduate in Mathematics from Queen’s University, Belfast, knows this first-hand. Having transitioned to a Developer role at Aflac NI during the Covid pandemic, where her mathematics-led background in problem-solving combined with her skills development at a nine-week skills academy allowed her to excel in her new position. In 2021, Emma embarked upon a Master’s Degree in Data Science from Queen’s University, Belfast which she passed with Distinction, all whilst working full-time at Aflac Northern Ireland in a new position as a Cloud Data Engineer.
Balancing work as a Cloud Data Engineer and studying for a Master's degree in Data Science was challenging but rewarding, with support from Aflac NI who acknowledged Emma’s passion and commitment to her role with days dedicated to studying as well as additional support.
“My day job reinforced the academic theory I was learning, making the practical application easier whilst the support I received from Aflac NI, including study days and collaboration with my manager who was studying the same course, were invaluable,” Emma says. Balancing full-time work and studying also awarded Emma the opportunity to hone two important life skills, time management and self-discipline, which she has applied ever since and continues to bring to her role moving forward.
The hard work paid off, with Emma progressing further to her current role as a full-time Data Scientist, which she describes as “highly rewarding” due to the collaborative nature of data science and the impact of data insights which help impact business decisions.
Emphasising the importance of storytelling through data, Emma explains: “Being able to see the insights you've created and derived from data being used to make decision making is extremely rewarding, because it is having a positive impact on business outcomes. We're here to help bridge the gap between data and business.”
Emma's journey through the nine-week Assured Skills Academy after university was transformative. The programme provided a comprehensive grasp of key tech concepts, from QA and testing to effective stakeholder presentations. Emma also delved into code development, UX design, databases, and much more, equipping her with a well-rounded skill set for the tech world.
Emma reveals that once she grasped the concept of coding, she particularly enjoyed it because of her enduring passion for mathematics which had first flourished in primary school.
“Mathematics was always one of the subjects that I really enjoyed, so going from it to coding for me felt like a very natural progression. I have always gravitated towards mathematical problem solving. I relish working through code and enjoy when I get a natural solution, but it is still something I have to work on every day and practice.”
Indeed, Emma is keen to reassure anyone participating in a skills academy or conversion course who may be finding the leap into tech challenging, explaining this is only natural when you are learning something completely new.
“If it doesn’t come naturally, don’t be discouraged - this is not something you are taught in school and you are starting afresh. Remember, learning is meant to be challenging and hard work is going to lead to you achieving your goals.”
Asking questions is key to helping you on your learning journey Emma encourages, as well as seeking out supportive mentors, practicing methods and coding using free online resources.
Emma explains: “Because I didn't grow up with a great understanding of what the tech world was, I didn't know anybody who worked in the sector, so it was all quite foreign to me. The Skills Academy and later my Master’s degree therefore gave me a solid foundation in understanding what software development is as I transition into more data focused roles.”
Utilising the power of data to make peoples’ lives easier is a key highlight for Emma, achieved through the automation of certain processes. This frees up employees’ time to be able to focus on other important responsibilities, such as speaking with clients. Emma explains: “New tools and fresh concepts are appearing all the time.
“At Alac NI we work a lot with the people entwined with the business and it is great to be able to collaborate and communicate with everyone and drive our knowledge forward.
“Making changes to other people's lives and making them easier is how you quantify the positive impact of data and automation. For example, when we free up our Aflac agents’ time through automation, we are subsequently able to make their processes day-to-day smoother. If an Aflac customer service representative is on the phone to a customer, they will have a lot of manual tasks to complete which we can replace. This means they are able to focus more on the customer, who might be going through a really difficult time and in need of patience and a listening ear. We are able to achieve this through the solutions that we provide, which I feel is really important.”
The world of data science is constantly evolving, making it an ideal role for anyone wishing to embark upon a continuous learning journey who leads with a curious mind.
Keeping up-to-date with the rapid pace of technical advances, combined with the ethics involved in reducing bias and making outcomes fairer for everybody, are key motivators for Emma. “Constant learning and evolution in the data science field keeps my job really interesting. Simultaneously, the role of ethics in data science and AI, advocating for transparency and responsible use of technology is vital,” she observes.
Emma is also keen to emphasise how outdated the stereotypes are of people working in the tech sector. Urging people not to let this deter them, Emma says: “People are more approachable than you think. Seek mentors by reaching out via LinkedIn. You will be pleasantly surprised at how ready people will be to meet you and offer first-hand advice and support.
“The tech world in general is a very understanding and welcoming place – it is extremely accommodating and ready to make your job work for you in terms of work life balance and flexibility, so never be afraid to ask those questions. Tech roles are needed everywhere – so if you have a passion for gaming, fashion or travel then there are a lot of opportunities for you.
“Overall, ‘techie people’ are not like how they are represented in the movies and women should not believe these antiquated stereotypes. People are extremely friendly and approachable and it is an incredibly diverse sector to work in. There is no one ‘type’ – as in all walks of life some of us are sporty, some of us are extroverts and some of us are introverts - we are all extremely different!”
Finally, Emma makes a renewed appeal to women unhappy in their current roles to take a leap of faith. “Spend time finding the right career for you,” she says. “Working in something you truly love will make you happy, therefore it is important to take all the necessary steps to find the right career path for you.”
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.
