Data science and table tennis – Irtaza Hashmi’s working day

What’s your role at Futurice?

My role at Futurice varies between client and internal work. As a Data Scientist, my primary focus is on data projects that include solving business use cases leveraging data science and AI. In addition to my role as a Data Scientist, I also take on responsibilities in Data Engineering, where I build Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) pipelines. This entails meeting the data requirements set forth by our clients and ensuring the seamless flow of data from various sources to enable effective insight extraction.

My internal role includes participating in recruitment, arranging bi-weekly data competence meetups, and helping onboard new team members. At Futurice, we also like to play table tennis. During the year, my colleagues and I arrange a doubles table tennis tournament for the employees and alumni. It's one of the best times of the year!

How long have you been working here and what did you do before?

I have been with Futurice for two and a half years. Before this, I pursued my Computer Science degree at TU Delft in the Netherlands. At the same time, I worked as a data scientist trainee at Neste. Before my time at Neste, I served as an AI Engineer at TU Delft, focusing on computer vision projects. Earlier in my career, I was a research trainee at VTT, where I developed a data science package for predictive maintenance.

What’s your morning routine?

My morning routine begins with waking up, followed by a refreshing shower, and enjoying a cup of black coffee. I typically skip breakfast and head straight to the office by train. Once there, I like to have another cup of coffee with my colleagues, which gives a pleasant start to the day and provides an extra energy boost. My first meeting usually takes place around 09:30, after which I dive into working on my client projects.

Where do you live, and what’s your commute like?

I live in Kilo, Espoo, about 10 km from downtown Helsinki. I commute by train every morning to the office. During my train ride, I enjoy listening to podcasts or piano music, choosing calming sounds to set the tone for the day. While listening, I mentally organize my tasks, which helps me stay focused. I also take this time to check my emails and Slack, ensuring I'm up-to-date and haven’t missed any important communications.

Where do you usually work during the week?

Depending on the day and nature of the work, I may be at home, at Futurice’s office in downtown Helsinki, or on-site with a client. I prefer going to the office about 2-3 times a week, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I tend to stay at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays as it is quiet at the office. The change of environment helps keep my momentum going throughout the week. I visit client sites as needed, often for meetings or workshops they've arranged.

Do you spend a lot of time with people during the week?

Yes, I try my best to do so. I try to balance spending time with people and deeply focusing on work. I prefer to have face-to-face meetings over video calls. For longer meetings, I prefer attending them in the office as it helps me stay more engaged. Additionally, I often grab coffee with colleagues at the office to discuss Data & AI and other engaging topics. During lunchtime, I tend to invite people to have lunch together. Fridays, which are typically the busiest days at the office, end on a high note with an evening game of table tennis.

Do you have any routines for taking breaks during the day and getting away from thinking about work stuff?

My first break of the workday is usually right before lunch when I take a moment for my second cup of coffee. I also use this time to stretch my legs before diving back into coding. Lunchtime provides another break, during which I like to move around and engage with colleagues over a meal. My final break is around 3 pm, just before I wrap up for the day. This is when I get up, stretch, and grab a snack – often a protein yogurt, walnuts, and drink. Sometimes, I simply enjoy a moment of quiet, gazing out the window at the Helsinki cityscape from the seventh floor. It's a refreshing pause that helps me refocus.