Focus and Progress in STEM: Finding Purpose in a Non-Linear Career

In this episode of Stories by Career Sisters, we are joined by Letetia Addison, a mathematician, statistician, educator, and data science ambassador, for a thoughtful a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and using data to create meaningful impact.

 

Letetia shares how her early curiosity for numbers, supported by her family, shaped a career journey spanning teaching, research, strategic planning, mentoring, and AI driven climate change work. From lecturing at the University of the West Indies to championing representation and ethical data practices in the Caribbean, she reflects on why careers are marathons rather than races, and how unexpected deviations often lead to deeper growth and alignment.

 

Throughout the conversation, we explore the power of mentorship, the importance of diverse voices in data science, navigating uncertainty with faith, and why emotional intelligence and community matter just as much as technical skill. Letetia also discusses the responsibility that comes with using data and AI in ways that serve people and the planet.  This episode is a must listen for anyone interested in STEM, AI, or building a career rooted in purpose, service, and long term growth.