What if I told you that my exceptional poker playing skills and success are what drove my interest in a career in analytics? Although the connection may not be readily apparent, it’s true. I have a knack for poker. Well, more than a knack. I’ve tenaciously studied, practiced, played, and learned the game to a near professional level. But contrary to what outsiders may think, poker isn’t really about the cards. It’s about creating a strategy and adapting that strategy on the fly as you analyze your opponent and anticipate their next move. Poker requires discipline, risk management, and high levels of emotional intelligence. Analyzing data to identify trends, insights, and areas of opportunity similarly necessitates communication and critical thinking skills to not only decipher the quantitative output, but also to understand the story the data is telling. In addition to my strategic poker skills, I also have a background in healthcare and customer service. While obtaining my undergraduate degree, I honed my research, writing, and presentation skills, which I look forward to using in my next role on my career journey.