Re: DM: Looking for advice in becoming a DM

[Jen Q. Louie]

Greetings Scott!

I been working with what we now call DM since the mid-seventies, 
except
then it was called numerical analysis, followed by AI Smart Databases 
and
knowledge discovery. I also define data mining, as:  "The process of
discovery, of information not known before." I do not consider it data
mining if, you design a query, use on-line transactions processing 
(OLTP),
on-line analytical processing (OLAP), and most statistical methods.

Why? All these methodologies and processes have one common factor -- 
you
must have a hypothesis first in order to get an answer. In short -- 
you
have to know what you looking for before you can get an answer ... 
this is
not discovery. Learning about the relationships between the geographic
location, population demographics, and buying habits to target 
products
that will sell within a particular price range, or provide schedule
information for just in time product delivery, or how to improve the
quality of life by healthcare ... that's discovery and that is what
Nautilus Systems' uses data mining to achieve satisfaction for our 
clients.
Please view our web site for case histories 
http://www.nautilus-systems.com

Your questions: 

What should I do?  
Your on your way already -- Do not forget data mining is a tool, an
intermediate point, not the end product. The process begins with the
problem definition, analysis of the available data and the solution
approach, followed by the modeling (data mining process) and 
analysis, and
finally visualization the ultimate means of communicating the results 
of
your to the client. 

What other course work would be useful to me?  
If you haven't already taken classes in numerical methods or data 
analysis,
will be most useful. A course in accounting for engineers. Everything
evolves around money knowing a little about how it influences and 
interacts
with business important to understand. Also a business process design
course and data modeling would also be of value.

How should I go about finding a company to work with on a part-time or
co-op basis?
Use the datamining-l, seek out vendors [Thinking Machines has an 
office in
your area - (972) 599-9715], check out commercial research facilities 
[HARC
Houston Area Research Center, 4800 Research Forest Drive, The 
Woodlands, TX
77381], and the Chamber of commerce [become a member -- use their 
events as
networking opportunities].

I hope this helps a little and don't get discouraged ... the real 
world is
not quite ready to embrace data mining just yet.   JQL//

Dr. Jen Que Louie
Nautilus Systems, Inc.
3867 Alder Woods Court
Fairfax, VA 22033-2441
jqlouie@nautilus-systems.com
(703) 385-8582
(703) 385-4857  FAX
http://www.nautilus-systems.com