Meet the Team: Jan Pristovnik

Each month we talk to a different member of the Dodona team. This December, we hear from Data Scientist  Jan Pristovnik on finding hidden patterns in data, watching the Dodona product evolve, and his view on how to approach  career progression.

As a Data Scientist, Jan's work is at the core of our product. His role underpins what we can offer our customers to ensure that they can make the right decisions based on the data combinations which are right for them. But it is clear that his value reaches beyond our product, serving his team and colleagues with his work ethic and career values.

Hi Jan, What do you do at Dodona?

I work as a data scientist. My role involves cleaning and processing data and then using statistical and machine learning models to identify hidden patterns, trends and insights that help form business decisions. 

What inspired you to choose this career?

Honestly, there was a lot of randomness involved. At the end of high school, I chose financial mathematics but could have easily picked another field, ranging from medicine to law. Things clicked when I started my bachelor’s thesis and randomly landed a job that exposed me to various projects. That’s where I discovered my passion for modeling, forecasting, and data science. During my master’s, I focused on machine learning, and that’s how my data science career officially began - and I’ve loved it ever since!

What inspired you to join Dodona Analytics?

My professor of advanced machine learning, who also mentored me during my master’s thesis, introduced me to this opportunity. At the time, I was already considering a new role that would allow me to work more directly with hands-on machine learning. Everything aligned perfectly, and it felt like the ideal next step in my career. :)

What is your favorite part of working with Dodona?

There are a few things I truly value. First and foremost, it’s the people on the team - they’re incredibly supportive, smart, and always ready to help. The second is the journey I’ve been a part of. I joined almost at the very beginning, back when we only had fragments of what you see in our app today. Watching the product evolve, the team grow, and experiencing my own personal growth alongside it has been incredibly motivating. It’s the kind of classic start-up story that makes the journey so rewarding :)

What general career advice would you give to other professionals like yourself who are starting out, especially those wanting to work with a start-up?

To put it in financial mathematics terms, think of your career like compound interest. Focus on finding something you’re passionate about, set a sustainable pace, and commit to continuous learning and growth, one step at a time. Those small, consistent improvements will add up significantly over the long run.

Another piece of advice: build genuine friendships with the people you work with. You’ll spend a lot of time together - eight hours a day, five days a week - so fostering a positive atmosphere makes a big difference. An occasional beer after work, shared bad jokes, or a fun team-building activity can work wonders for morale and collaboration :)

What do you like to do outside of Dodona?

I enjoy a variety of activities like football, surfing, snowboarding, climbing, hiking, playing video games, reading, and binge-watching TV shows - the usual stuff! I also love traveling (who doesn’t?). Lately, I’ve found myself appreciating nature more than I used to - guess that’s a sign I’m getting older! And, I really love food, so I end up eating enough to feed three people. That means I have to stay active, or I’d turn into three people myself! Haha.

Who do you nominate for next month's Meet the Team interview?

I’d like to nominate Tadej Hajna. Though he’s one of our most recent hires, he’s already established himself as an invaluable member of the team. I’ve never seen someone so passionate about data, and that enthusiasm truly shines through in the work he does. It’s clear that his drive and expertise bring tremendous value to the team.

Thank you Jan, it was a pleasure chatting with you.

Coming up next month, Data Engineer Tadej Hajna!