Noel Gore
Profile Info:
Current City: Edmonton, Alberta
Year arrived in Canada: 1999
School(s): University of Alberta
Academic program(s): Bachelor of Science, Geophysics Specialization
Profession/Industry: Data Engineer
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelgore
1. What inspired you to pursue Geophysics of all the academic programs that were available to you?
What first attracted me to Geophysics was the idea of “treasure hunting with science”. During my first year, before I entered the program, I had a professor introduce it that way and it has stuck with me ever since. In practice most of the opportunities in industry are tied to exploring and searching for minerals, water or oil and gas. The further along I got in the program, the more I became interested in the signal processing and analytics side of it which is what got me into my current role.
2. would you say personal discipline and motivation were the main factors in your academic success or would you credit strong family support and great schools? Inherent intellectual aptitude goes without saying.
I’d like to think it’s a combination of strong familial support and pursuing a field of studies that resonated with me. Having parents who placed a strong emphasis on education, and older siblings that could guide me through the process was key. But I think if I had no interest in physics, programming, or Earth, I wouldn’t stand a chance in my program.
3. Can you tell me a bit about your career path and what led you to the role you are in today?
I graduated in June of this year and I am currently in my first professional role working as a Data Engineer/Scientist. Throughout my degree, I got the chance to complete 5 internships in a few different companies and roles that allowed me to hone my interests and shadow career paths I was considering. By the end of my third year I knew I was more interested in analytics and the experience I got through internships allowed me to be competitive when applying to jobs.
4. What are some of the biggest challenges you faced getting to where you are today and if any, current day-to-day challenges and setbacks?
The biggest challenge I faced has been networking and seeking mentorship. Whether trying to get opportunities as an artist, data scientist, investment banker, etc. it can’t be overstated how important networking and mentorship are. Especially as someone without strong roots in an industry or field, it’s important to realize that it requires laying out more groundwork to establish yourself. I’d say these are the kind of challenges that will constantly evolve as I go through my career and seek new opportunities.
5. What does a workday look like for you and what’s something that would surprise ordinary people about your day-to-day?
My day-to-day work as a Data Science Engineer consists mostly of building data focused solutions to solve problems and provide insights. My day typically starts with a scrum meeting where we discuss project progress and goals for the day, then I have a few meetings interspersed throughout the day with key stakeholders. But I’d say most of my day is spent programming.
6. Do you have a mentor? If so, how have they helped you in your career?
Yes, I have a few. They’ve been crucial in helping me navigate my career and answering questions I have about anything. They’ve helped me decide what I want my career to look like moving forward.
7. What are the most vital steps someone should take to break into and succeed in your industry?
I’ve found that pursuing internships and extra-curriculars has been the most important thing that’s often neglected, if the end goal is working in industry. It can really help you set yourself apart and make you a more attractive candidate for full-time roles. Also, make sure to “put yourself out there” and attend networking and industry events.
8. What’s your favorite thing about your job or industry? In other words, what fuels your enthusiasm and helps you get out of bed on a Monday morning?
My favorite aspect has to be how diverse the work is. The company I work for is involved in a variety of industries and as a result, the projects vary significantly, which keeps things feeling fresh.
9. Is your racial profile helping or hindering your professional growth? That is, if race is a factor at all.
It’s hard to say. I may be too early in my career to truly notice or acknowledge certain barriers and the affects they have on me. But I think we’re currently seeing a shift in the right direction with the recent push towards increasing representation and addressing the barriers that have hindered other careers. Only time will tell.
10. Looking back, did you envision this is where you would be when you were in high school? What do you know now that you wished you had known before you started your career?
No, actually when I finished high school I wasn’t certain what I wanted to study yet. It wasn’t until after my first year that I decided on geophysics. In terms of my career, I wish I knew earlier how important self-confidence and belief is. People will only have as much confidence in your abilities as you have in yourself.
