logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
58m 41s

#219: To Generalize or to Specialize? Th...

Michael Helbling, Moe Kiss, Tim Wilson, Val Kroll, and Julie Hoyer
About this episode

There are only so many hours in a day and only so many days in a year. Logically, then, the best way to grow a career as a data worker is to spend as many hours as possible doing focused data work, right? Well… probably not. In this episode, we dove into generalization versus specialization — what does that even mean, and how should we think about balancing between the two, and how can interests and activities outside of the data work itself actually make us better analysts? Bonus activity: listen for the hosts' overt trolling of Tim to see if they can get him to come off mute in his role as associate producer for the episode. For complete show notes, including links to items mentioned in this episode and a transcript of the show, visit the show page.

Up next
Oct 13
#308: AI Changes Everything! Analytical Fundamentals Still Apply!
How do you know whether AI is actually making your organization better? Counting prompts, sessions, and token spend is easy. Figuring out whether any of that activity is driving business outcomes is...harder. Daniela Matinho, Marketing Science Senior Strategist at LinkedIn, wrote ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 29
#307: AI Does (and Does Not) Work for Data Storytelling
There's a version of this episode where AI replaces the data visualization expert entirely, and there's a version where it's useless without one. Neither is quite right, according to Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic of Storytelling with Data, who joined Tim, Moe, and Julie to sort out whe ... Show More
47m 16s
Sep 15
#306: Decision Support Has Been the Point All Along
Before there was BI, there were "decision support systems." Somewhere along the way, we seem to have quietly dropped the "decision support" part and just kept the systems. Zohar Strinka, founder of Analytics Strategies and creator of the Meta-Problem Method, joined us to put the ... Show More
45m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
S2-Ep17 - Specialization vs. Diversification ...in Career, Skills, Interests
Would you rather spend your life specializing in one career and skill? Or would you prefer exposing yourself to various industries and career paths before you focus on one?Is there a right or wrong? I might not have the solid answer for that, and this episode isn’t about promotin ... Show More
11m 24s
Feb 2021
Are You Investing Or Spending Your Time?
Time is a currency that is just as important as money but how do your spend your time to get the results you want in your life? In this episode, we talk through the distractions of life, how your daily actions may not align to the success you want and to raise your awareness to h ... Show More
14m 7s
May 2025
By the Numbers
<p>How much data do you <em>really</em> need to make good decisions? In this episode of <em>The REWORK Podcast</em>, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about 37signals’ evolving relationship with analytics—from working with a full-time analyst to now focusing only on t ... Show More
22m 45s
Sep 2020
This Is How Successful People Manage Their Time
How come some people accomplish more than others? We all have 365 days a year… Ultimately, it comes down to how you use your time. Listen now for 3 tips on how successful people manage their time. Investor mindset or waster mindset – what do you choose? 
8m 36s
Jul 2024
Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 2, 417
<p>What if your life has little distinction between work and play? What if you're so passionate about what you do that the time you spend on it is inconsequential? We began to explore the idea of work-life integration in part 1 of this series. </p> <p>In part 2, we dive into the ... Show More
25m 34s
Jan 2025
Is it ok to just work all the time?
For our first episode in the new year, a reflection on how we spend our time. What we devote our life to, and the roads we choose not to take. A conversation with Ira Glass.Tickets for the Search Engine live showSupport the show 
1h 3m
Apr 2024
Episode 192 - Do you need to work more than 9 to 5 to get promoted?
In this episode, we discuss Jem's tweet about feeling like you have to work more than 40 hours a week to get promoted. Jason Lengstorf joins us to debate the topic of promotions. Guests: Jason Lengstorf - @jlengstorf Panelists: Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan Jem Young - @JemYoung S ... Show More
57m 34s
Mar 2023
778 - Does Hard Work Actually Matter?
<p>I've lived my entire life under the assumption that HARD WORK is the difference between success &amp; failure. But is it? Today we take a deep dive into effort, hard work &amp; luck &amp; discover what the difference maker really is.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you enjoyed the podcast ple ... Show More
18m 14s
Oct 2023
Too busy to make social media content?
<p>I hear from people all the time how they don’t have time in their day to make content for the internet. When all they have to do is manage their time better. On today&#39;s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing the Q&amp;A portion of yesterday&#39;s podcast that took place in Da ... Show More
22m 55s