ReCAP: Madeline Taylor

Name: Madeline Taylor

Employer: Principal Financial Group

Job Title: Data and Operations Analyst

Primary Job Functions

• Team support

Date CAP Certification Was Earned

November 14, 2019
 

What is your opinion on the value of professional certifications?

Personally, I think professional certifications are very valuable. They validate that the individual has domain knowledge and experience on the subject matter.
 

Do you think that earning aCAP is important for students?

Yes, I do. I think the CAP certification is a way to encourage students to apply the analytics knowledge they may have acquired in school to actual problems in the industry. The certification also asserts that one can systematically and logically think through the steps of identifying and executing an analytics problem.

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

I dedicated an hour every day for eight weeks.

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

The best study tools for me were the Analytics Body of Knowledge textbook, the study guide, and the Job Task Analysis. Pay particular attention to the glossary within the study guide and find examples of the terms to enhance your learning.

Describe any barriers you see for those entering or in the workforce who are not professionally certified?

Employers may use professional certifications, such as CAP, as a screening mechanism for hiring. Without this designation, there is a chance your application may be discarded even if you have the degree and experience to be a strong candidate.

What other INFORMS programs have you participated in?

I am currently a member of WORMS (Women in OR/MS) through INFORMS. Within my team of data science at Principal Financial Group, we have nine WORMS members who meet monthly to brainstorms ideas on how we can cultivate individual and professional growth.