[Ron Capute]

Great spotlight interview!

– Ron

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Ron Capute
Sr Project Manager
Florida Power & Light
Jupiter FL
5619043273
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2020 17:54
From: Kevin Praet
Subject: Member Spotlight: Samia Rahman

Samia Rahman is an active UAI member and provides outstanding influence and contributions to the UAI community through any of our multiple channels, including, but not limited to engagement on UAI Connect, volunteering with UAI, involvement and/or leadership in monthly Community Conversations, and/or speaking at UAI events, plus so much.  As thanks, we are featuring her in the UAI Member Spotlight. Samia Rahman has been working within the Utility Industry at DTE since the age of 16. She has witnessed firsthand and took part in advancing technologies at DTE by using data science and advanced analytics. Her work focuses on Machine Learning, Big Data, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Research.

 

Kevin: How did you get into the utility analytics industry?

Member:

During my sophomore year of high school, I was captain of my high school FIRST Robotics team, sponsored by DTE. At the end of the competition that year, we had to give DTE a demo of the challenge for all employees to see and ask questions during their lunch. As I was announcing the game, my robotics mentor was talking to an individual who was inquiring about me. I gave that gentleman my business card, and within the next couple of days received an email from him asking for my resume. I had just turned 16 and was eligible to begin working that summer as a co-op scanning document after document of PTM and As-Built maps within the Data Integrity team of the Distribution Operations (DO) Organization. I worked as a co-op throughout high school and went back every summer as a summer intern during undergrad gaining experience in different organizations like Fossil Generation to Strategy, Process. and Governance (SPG). This allowed me to network and land a full-time position upon graduating. Within the DO Scheduling team, I developed Work Management Metrics using real time data, which lead me to work within DO Information Technology Performance Center applying Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning. I have been in the utility analytics industry ever since.

 

Kevin: What project have you enjoyed working on most in your career?

Member:

The project I enjoyed working on most was Predicting the Likelihood of Customer Complaints related to Frequent Outages. It was a template of incorporating Machine Learning within our Operations to provide predictive analytics. It helped me see the value of what I do as a Data Analyst both internally and externally.

 

Kevin: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you work through it?

Member:

As a young professional I aspire to become a leader within data analytics. However, I found the idea of pigeonholing myself as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), within a given project, challenging. Fortunately, I have realized you can become an SME and teach others to become SMEs as well.

 

Kevin: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice before entering the utility analytics industry, what would it be?

Member:

I don’t believe I would advise my past-self anything, I strongly believe I have gone through the exact trials, tribulations, and experiences needed to get me to where I am happily today.

 

Kevin: What would you like to talk to fellow colleagues and members about in UAI Connect? Or, what issues or topics would you like to see more discussions on in UAI Connect?

Member:

The Utility Analytics Institute is doing a fantastic job of creating a network for Utilities to focus on leveraging data, and I think continuing these conversations and discussions, particularly the datasets utilities have available and how we are using to drive advanced analytics, are beneficial for all of us to help the utilities not be within the latter of industries applying innovative technology.

 

Kevin: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a highly engaged member of UAI! Do you have any final thoughts, ideas, or comments you would like to share with your fellow UAI members?

Member:

The utility industry is so fundamental within the world and we can work together despite our backgrounds, by sharing our experiences within analytics to drive positive change within the industry. 

 

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Kevin Praet
Membership Coordinator
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Boulder CO
315-440-3033
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