Why Your Technical Skills Aren’t Enough Anymore (AI + Data Analytics)

“AI is kind of commoditizing an analytic skillset.”

In this episode of The Career Playbook, we sit down with Thomas Barber, Head of Commercial Data and Analytics at L.E.K. Consulting. As AI begins to commoditize technical skills like coding and basic analytics, the field is shifting at a rapid pace.

Thomas shares why technical mastery is no longer enough to stay indispensable and how the most critical skill for the next generation is the ability to act as a human liaison between complex data and real-world business objectives.

Inside the Episode:
The Reality of AI: How tools like ChatGPT are changing the "technical" requirements of the job and why human oversight is more critical than ever.
Day-in-the-Life: From revolutionizing pricing for vet hospitals to helping healthcare providers retain members through machine learning.
Consulting vs. In-House: The difference between the broad strategy scope at a firm like L.E.K. versus the deep focus of an internal team.
The "Liaison" Skill: Why the toughest but most critical challenge is bridging the gap between technical data and non-data savvy business leaders.
Salary Expectations: A realistic breakdown of compensation, from six-figure entry-level roles to several hundred thousand dollars mid-career.
The Student Playbook: Why "straight A's" aren't enough anymore and how to humanize your resume through leadership and professional experience.

Timestamps:
0:00 - AI & the commoditization of coding
0:32 - What is the main objective of Data Analytics?
1:04 - Consulting vs. Internal Analytics roles
1:58 - Real-world projects: Pricing & Market entry
3:06 - Thomas’s Journey: From Business Major to Data Specialist
3:48 - The turning point: Machine Learning in Healthcare
4:56 - Necessary technical skills vs. Industry knowledge
6:17 - The "Liaison" challenge: Bridging the business gap
7:56 - Salary & Compensation: Entry-level to 10 years in
8:42 - Why compensation varies (Industry vs. Job Function)
10:09 - The impact of AI on career stability
11:50 - The Playbook: Advice for High School & College students
12:59 - How to find your passion and build a network

Connect with Thomas:
LinkedIn:   / thomashbarber  

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