In the biometric field, employers increasingly value skills in processing and interpreting biological data — because so few can do it at a high level.
Yet even though human-centric data is a prized commodity in almost every aspect of modern human activities, only a small fraction of the potentially available data is being recorded and used to make sound business decisions. You can take advantage of this scarcity of knowledge by focusing on three key skill areas to gain a deeper understanding of human systems and biological signals — and gain an edge in the field.
Skill #1 Become Expert at Collecting and Storing Human-Centric Data
This is an art unto itself. An abundance of biometric human performance data is available today from multiple remote sensors. The skill and expertise with which you capture, organize and cross-reference this information can make all the difference in the effectiveness of your subsequent analysis.
Skill #2 Learn New Ways to Analyze and Interpret Human-Centric Data
New data processing tools continue to evolve the many ways you can synthesize biometric information. Make a point of exploring novel approaches to mining the biometric data you collect from biological signals. Get current with the latest software and data architecture theory to better extrapolate, investigate and understand what biometric data is telling you.
Skill #3 Visualize Human-Centric Data to Uncover Deeper Insights
Seeing is understanding. A critical step in deriving insight from data is being able to envision it graphically to identify patterns and reveal correlational relationships that might otherwise remain hidden. When you possess a clear visualization of your data, you can make rich, impactful presentations, communicate strong recommendations based on actionable insights, and bridge the gap between human performance and biometric information for informed decision making.
How to Acquire Human-Centric Data Skills
Biometric professionals and their employers often find it difficult to locate specific training in human-centric data collection and processing. As such, early- to late-career professionals must resort to self study, or can sometimes search out the needed skills from colleagues, mentors, and other resources while on the job.
However, a handful of targeted programs are available from skills and workforce development providers, such as ASU CareerCatalyst. Its Introduction to Human-Centric Data Collection and Processing program closely follows ASU’s innovative instruction in computational behavioral science, which offers learning and hands-on skills acquisition unique to this online program.
Developed in collaboration with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the Performance Engineering and Research for Optimizing Response Mechanisms (PERFORM) Science and Technology Center (STC), this training provides an introduction to practical examples from the field, as well as the most current software, data architecture, practices and methodologies in gathering and processing remote human-centric data. Designed for busy working professionals, it follows a focused, modular, self-guided approach that can quickly get you up to speed on current techniques to further your career.
Through ASU Career Catalyst, Arizona State University partners with companies across industries to provide skills education and knowledge acquisition programs that accelerate growth through workforce development, benefiting both employees and the organizations they serve.
As a top-tier university for innovation, ASU applies its unparalleled core of knowledge to partner with organizations and learners in critical areas ranging from foundational professional skills, to immersive leadership experiences, to advanced technical education in emerging fields. Through ASU CareerCatalyst, ASU develops world-class workforce education solutions that align with business priorities and strategies and empower all learners to thrive in the future of work at every stage of their careers.
