The last four months whizzed by faster than you can say “level of detail”. Never in my adult life have I learned more than in my time at The Data School.
Perhaps better than the content, however, was the chance to spend every day with 7 brilliant analysts. Alex, David, Jonathan, Shuchita, Varun, Parul and Ricardo made an already great experience even greater. I thank them for their stellar company and know they’ll be doing great things in the coming months.
Apart from fantastic peers, every brilliant training program needs brilliant teaching. Head Coach Craig provided this – not only with his Tableau and Alteryx expertise – but the fun and effective way that he passes this knowledge on. Pete, PK, Tram and the MIP consultants should also be mentioned for continually providing their time and knowledge throughout the 16 weeks.
Alas, the next chapter is beginning, and I’m excited to leave the nest and start consulting on my first placement.
If you’re interested, find below my choice nuggets of advice for new cohorts:
1) Arrive early
I’m not a morning person but used the 4 months of training to practice getting up and ready before I needed to be. This comes in handy when you start placement.
2) Practice
If you have spare time (because you no doubt arrived early), practice. Do the weekly Alteryx challenges, do a Makeover Monday or Workout Wednesday, go back over the challenges that you faced the week before. There’s no shortage of things to practice with, so use them.
3) Ask for help
I previously despised asking for help. This personal flaw was (necessarily) corrected within the first week of training and I’m the better for it.
4) Learn to work in team
Teamwork is a muscle. Mine had atrophied by the time I got to the data school and it was difficult to resist delegating myself a chunk of the first group project and getting to work in the corner. Your cohort will have to become a well-oiled machine by week 16, so don’t go it alone in those first few weeks.
5) Don’t beat yourself up
You’ll either get it right the first time, or you’ll learn. Never feel negatively about an opportunity to learn.
6) Write your blogs
They don’t write themselves.
7) Help each other out
Whether someone is lost during a lesson, or just can’t get their mouse to work, offer them a hand.
8) Have fun and try your best
