SDS 437: Data Science at a World-Leading Hedge Fund — with Claudia Perlich

Lockdown Productivity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Claudia Perlich found that remote work significantly impacted her productivity and personal time. Living in Westchester, she saved three hours daily by avoiding her commute, which allowed her to engage more deeply in technical work and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking 1. Claudia appreciated the opportunity to explore new hobbies and maintain a healthy work-life balance, despite the challenges of a distanced social life. She noted, "I have not found the lockdown to be personally limiting with regard to all of the things I love to do in my spare time" 1.

   

New Hire Challenges

New hires faced unique challenges during the pandemic, as Claudia observed. She highlighted the difficulty for newcomers in establishing connections and understanding team dynamics without in-person interactions 2. Claudia empathized with those struggling to find their place in organizations, noting that existing employees could rely on established contacts, whereas new hires had to navigate these complexities virtually. "I feel for new hires that are struggling with finding their place in organizations with the current remote work scenario," she remarked 2.