Employee Spotlight: Liam Power, Data Scientist & Backend Developer
Been with Music Health since 02/2022
Tell us about yourself and your journey to Music Health
I heard about Music Health through an old friend and colleague who described an app they were working on called Vera. They were moving onto another role and told me a bit about their job in Data Science and the company's mission to transform brain health through music. Coming from a background in audio engineering and development I felt this was a perfect fit for me and after an interview, started on part time in February 2022, eventually moving to a full time role in August 2022.
What made me go into data science and Backend Development?
I’m a musician, artist and programmer with a specific interest in music pre-1980 and the history of recorded sound. Spending my time tuning an algorithm to make recommendations from my favourite period of music for the purpose of promoting brain-health is my ideal job!
What does your regular day at Music Health look like?
Working at a startup, my role can shift day to to day and it’s always an exciting prospect to see what lies ahead! My core duties generally revolve around the quality of music coming from our backend recommendation engine. This could include auditing or updating tracks in our database, making better recommendations for our users, incorporating user feedback into our recommendation engine, conducting R&D on innovative new features or analysing data insights into our users and music catalogue.
If you could take one album, and one thing with you on a deserted island, what would it be?
That’s a tough question and would probably change week to week as I discover new music! Right now it would have to be John Foxx’s Metamatic from 1980. Just a fabulous, deep electronic album with great production. If I could bring one thing (that wasn’t a boat to get off the island), it’d probably have to be a speaker to listen to my favourite album!
What are you most proud of so far while working at Music Health?
Working on a product that empowers caregivers and users is a constant point of pride in my work. Seeing users interact with music from their past and hearing stories of how our product has enriched their lives make me proud to work at Music Health.
What do you find most challenging about your role?
Working on innovative products means constantly questioning held assumptions and remaining flexible to learning new skills to adapt. This is one of the most rewarding challenges of the role, remaining flexible and open-minded and responsive to user needs.
What is your best memory while working at Music Health?
Working remotely from Melbourne with the majority of the team in Sydney really makes me cherish the time we get together at our team offsites. Going up to Sydney to meet the team for the first time in the flesh was a massive experience!
What is your favourite Music Health ‘practice’?
No Jerks! We’ve built a great core team that works hard at supporting and uplifting each other. Ego and personal squabbles shouldn’t be a part of a workplace and I’m grateful that I don’t have to worry about that at Music Health.
Lastly, what would you say for someone who is thinking about applying to Music Health?
If you’re looking for a progressive workplace and to join a team of hard-working, creative and friendly people, apply! Bonus points if you are music-obsessed or a veteran crate-digger like me!
