ReCAP: Ben Harlander

Name: Ben Harlander

Employer: Principal Financial Group

Job Title: Data and Operations Research Scientist

Primary Job Functions

• Design & build of quantitative investment systems
• Predictive modeling & optimization
• Project management

Date CAP Certification Was Earned

January 8, 2019
 

What is your opinion on the value of professional certifications?

I think that professional certifications can be valuable in many ways. They create a threshold of quality and knowledge that one can aim for when entering the field. A certification efficiently communicates to potential employers that you have the required skills for the job. Finally, certifications can create a community where domain experts can exchange ideas and best practices. I look forward to my first “Coffee with CAPs” session at the next conference.
 

Do you think that earning the Associate CAP (aCAP) is important for students?

Yes. The data science field is going to become increasingly competitive. A degree may certify a student’s math & programming aptitude, but the aCAP certifies a student’s ability to execute an analytics project from start to finish. Employers will value the latter.

What other INFORMS programs have you participated in?

I have been involved with INFORMS for about three years. I was the vice president of the INFORMS Student Chapter at the University of Illinois and have both participated in and hosted data science challenges for the INFORMS community. I have also enjoyed attending the Student Leadership Conference, INFORMS Conference on Business Analytics, and the Annual Meeting. INFORMS has played a pivotal role in launching my career in data science and operations research.

How much time did you dedicate to studying for the exam?

I studied approximately four hours for this exam. The best way to study for this exam is to have completed several projects in statistics and operations research.

What is the best advice you can give to someone studying for the exam right now?

This is a test of the breadth of your analytics knowledge rather than the depth. Start by identifying your gaps. If you are a statistician, you may want to brush up on optimization and simulation. If you have mastered optimization, revisit the details of linear regression and Bayes formula. The CAP handbook, study guide, and Job Task Analysis are great tools to understand where you should focus your studies.

Describe any potential barriers you see in the industry for those who are not certified.

The biggest barriers would be from missed opportunities. Employers may use the certification to screen out candidates and even state the requirement in the job listing. For advanced roles in the financial industry, it is common to require candidates to complete the CFA prior to or shortly after starting their position. The percentage of certifications can be an internal and external benchmark of quality. Our data science & operations research team at Principal plans to do the same with CAP.