Where is This Advice Coming From?
Much of what you read in this guide will come as advice from me, the author, Heather Whiteman. It is a compilation built slowly over decades of learning, working, leading, and teaching in the people analytics space. I have culled information gained through education in my Bachelors in Communication, Bachelors in Psychology, Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology and my PhD in Human Capital Management. Much of the advice comes from my many years as a practitioner in people analytics, especially my time as an HR executive with General Electric (GE) where I was fortunate enough to learn and lead in people analytics, HR Operations/Technology, Integrated Talent Management, Learning & Development, and Strategic Workforce Planning. I also pull from years consulting for and working within organizations of varying sizes (small & large companies) and statuses (government, private, public, global, matrixed, etc) and my roles as an advisor to multiple organizations.
I will also include input, thoughts, and experiences from multiple people analytics (and adjacent) experts whose wisdom and experience can help guide you on your journey. These experts come from a range of backgrounds, both academically and personally, and have worked with people analytics at all levels of the organization as well as in organizations both big and small.
The lessons I and others have learned have been translated into (sometimes over-)simplified steps to make the guide easier to read for those who are just starting out. The aim of this book is not to tell you what to do, but to provide possible frameworks and steps for those looking for some guidance and ideas on where to start.
Just remember that you don’t have to stay on any path marked out to you; you can have a lot of fun making your own way to get somewhere new. So, take from this guide what is useful to you and makes sense for where you are, where you want to be, and what excites you.
The career possibilities with people analytics can be extremely varied and depend on you, your role, and the organization in which you choose to apply it to. No one can give you a perfect path to follow. Your journey will be your own. I hope to give you an understanding of the different parts of People Analytics as a career possibility and some of the advice I wish I knew when I was in your position.
Enjoy!
Heather Whiteman