The many things learnt and the road ahead.
During my short time so far at the Data School, there have been many lessons learnt. When I first started, I thought most of them would be data and analytical related, but the way this programme is set up means I'm developing a much wider range of skills than I expected, ones that will be genuinely useful throughout my career.
Each week is mentally intense, but once something clicks, the feeling that comes with it is great. Everyone mentions the steep learning curve, and they're right. With a bit of patience and time, things start to feel more intuitive, working with Power BI this week felt significantly less intense than my first lesson on it.
Your body gets used to the rhythm of it all: the lessons, the commute, the intensity. So if you're in your first couple of weeks of training, or thinking about applying, don't let that put you off as with the right time management, it becomes far more manageable. Adaptability has been one of the most useful tools I've picked up so far. It's what lets me learn about Tableau one day and something new about Power BI the next, and it reflects the constantly shifting environment consultants have to navigate.
I've also come to appreciate the importance of documentation. During our weekly projects, we have to document our thought process, sketches, plans, and any feedback received. This isn't just useful for keeping track of your own work — it also means anyone picking up your project later can follow it easily. It pays off down the line too: having a pre-made plan to refer back to made prepping data for a Power BI challenge much quicker the second time round than doing it again from the start.
Upskilling has been something I've wanted to do for a long time, so being somewhere knowledge flows freely and curiosity is actively encouraged has been really rewarding. Getting my brain back into learning mode after a while feels great, this first month has flown by, and I'm really looking forward to what comes next.