Professional Data Science Portrait with Tim Giger: Principal Data & AI Consultant, Swisscom

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First, about you personally: What hashtags best describe you?

#curious, #open-minded, and #meticulous.
If I had to describe myself in three words, it would be the hashtags above. I’d use “curious” because I’m always looking for new ideas and challenges – I always like to discover new things. And I’d use “open” because I enjoy interacting with people and taking on new tasks, which I think makes me approachable. As for “meticulous”? Well, when I set my mind on something, I have to do it thoroughly. You could also call it my enthusiastic “obsession” with getting excellent results. After all, who wants to do things halfway?

Tell us more about the hashtags.

Curiosity is definitely what drives my work, as was the case during my studies. Whether it’s a new technology or a completely different way of tackling a problem, I want to fully understand what I’m doing and apply what I know. On the other hand, openness is the key because both in my studies and in my daily work I have to deal with many people, perspectives, and challenges, which are things I really appreciate. You need a certain openness to understand different perspectives. And then there’s meticulousness: when I dedicate myself to a task, I never find that something I’ve done is just adequate. I like to go into detail, and yes, I sometimes become really passionate about a project, which must have been a bit annoying for my fellow students at times.

 

Let’s talk about your professional activities: What do you do at Swisscom Data & AI Consulting?

I’m currently working as a Principal Data & AI Consultant at Swisscom. My job actually covers the full range – from strategy to architecture and solution design, all the way to implementing platforms and solutions in the data and AI field for customers in the Enterprise segment. Specifically, this can involve developing concepts for data architectures and platforms, setting up data warehouses and lakes, implementing ML models, or devising data strategies – always with a focus on the customer, of course. And all this always also includes sales activities, management tasks, and contributions to the team’s strategy development.

What did you do before, and why did you join Swisscom Data & AI Consulting?

My path into data science was, let’s say, not really planned. I originally worked in systems engineering, and then, by chance, I came across the world of data twelve years ago. All the incredible things you can do with simple 0s and 1s were a true revelation that fascinated me immediately. I knew right away that “this was it!” and that I wanted to continue to research, learn and get involved in this field.

What’s the most exciting part of your job?

The variety! Whether I’m developing solutions with customers in workshops or immersing myself in a technical problem, things never get boring. Of course, as a technician, I particularly enjoy the moment when a complex solution works properly and generates added value. However, the conversations and interactions with customers are always exciting. Sometimes, I feel like an “interpreter” between what’s technically possible and what customers actually need. It’s this balancing act that makes my work so engaging, which ultimately means devising a technical solution with the customer and then developing it.

Which data scientist skills are particularly in demand in your job?

You need to be good at analysing complex problems and requirements and coming up with technically sound solutions that the customer can understand and that are cost-effective. Of course, you also need solid technical skills, but your ability to communicate and correctly categorise and interpret requirements is just as important. The challenge often lies not so much in the technology or the model itself but in bridging the customer’s wishes with what is actually feasible. That’s the real art – and it’s what makes this job so exciting.

Do you see yourself more as a techie, an analysis freak, a creative genius, a management superhero or a brilliant all-rounder?

I’d say that I feel most at home in technology – so I’m definitely a techie. But that doesn’t mean I limit myself to that one area because I also enjoy managing projects, holding workshops, and giving talks. Sometimes I’m the techie in the quiet room where I immerse myself in the code, but other times I’m the all-rounder with my sleeves rolled up at the frontline. Maybe I’m a bit of a “techie with a management touch”, to put it differently.

What fascinated you most about the MSc in Applied Information and Data Science programme?

As a technology enthusiast, I was of course excited by the advanced analytical topics such as deep learning and natural language processing. But the programme had another and unexpected fascination for me, namely the diversity of people with different experiences who I got to work with. Everyone had a different background and perspective, which enriched our projects tremendously. The mix of technical challenges and human interaction was perfect for my personal and professional growth.

 

What are the biggest challenges in your job right now?

Wow, where should I start? One of the biggest challenges is definitely the rapid pace at which technology develops. You’ve hardly just come to grips with a new platform before another innovation pops up on the horizon. Then there are the dynamics of the customer environment – every project comes with new requirements, expectations and sometimes surprises. And finally there’s the team, which means knowing how to support and integrate our junior members while keeping an eye on what lies ahead, for example. Sometimes it feels like I’m juggling ten balls at once. But that’s what makes it all so interesting.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do the same thing as you?

If you want to get started in data and AI, it’s not enough to just know the theory. You have to go out into the field, receive the ball and score the goal! We often say, “We’ll pass you the ball, but it’s you who has to score the goal. In other words, you need curiosity, initiative, and above all enthusiasm. It’s not a sprint but a marathon, and you’ll need plenty of energy to stay ahead of the game. But don’t worry, it’s worth it – every metre of it.

To wrap things up: What new hashtag are you aiming for in the future?

There’s definitely one hashtag that’s been on my mind for a while, and that’s #research. I have so much fun discovering and researching things that I’m now thinking about doing a PhD. Of course, it’s going to be a challenge to work and do research at the same time, but that’s exactly what appeals to me. Who knows, maybe I’ll soon be writing not only code but also papers! After all, it always makes sense to reach for the stars, doesn’t it?

We would like to thank Tim Giger for his dedication and for sharing these valuable insights.

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