After months of anticipation, countless application hours, and a few sleepless nights preparing dashboards, I finally started my journey at The Information Lab as part of cohort DS54.
Starting in a new industry can be daunting, but my first week at The Data School quickly transformed any lingering nerves into excitement for the journey ahead.
From Applicant to Trainee
Coming from a background in neuroscience that combined research, people-focused work, and plenty of problem-solving, I’ve been looking for ways of combining the explanatory power of data with people-focused work. When I discovered The Data School’s unique model - four months of training, hands-on client work, and a strong emphasis on collaboration - it felt like the perfect environment to grow into a confident data professional.
A Warm Welcome
From day one, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming. The coaches, previous cohorts, and my fellow DS54 members all brought the positive energy needed for any first-day nerves to quickly disappear. We kicked off the week with (a lot of) introductions, setting expectations, and preparing our computers for the work ahead.
One thing that struck me was the emphasis put on seeking help and being comfortable with not knowing the answers immediately. The Data School is designed to stretch you beyond your current capability, and part of being a good consultant isn’t necessarily having all the answers immediately, but knowing how to find them. The Data School provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and it’s very welcoming to know how happy everyone is to help each other.
Data Fundamentals
Our first few sessions focused on the fundamentals of data - how it’s structured, stored, and connected. We explored how information sits within schemas, learning about fact and dimension tables and how they work together to form the backbone of analytical systems. It was a detailed look at how data is organised before it ever reaches a dashboard, and it really helped me appreciate how much thought goes into designing datasets that make sense.
The Consulting Mindset
Alongside the technical learning, we also explored what it means to think like a consultant. It’s not just about building workflows or dashboards - it’s about asking the right questions, understanding the client’s goals, and knowing how to communicate findings clearly. We also learned about the responsibilities we may hold beyond conventional data work, including building relationships across client teams and providing enablement sessions - teaching and embedding new software and ways of working for our clients.
Tableau Prep
Later in the week, Carl introduced us to Tableau Prep, which was both satisfying and, at times, frustrating - in a good way. It’s one thing to look at clean data in Tableau, and quite another to prepare it yourself. We tackled a series of challenges that tested our logic, patience, and attention to detail. There were definitely moments where I felt stuck, but that’s part of the learning curve and we were all in it together. That emphasis on asking questions really helped here…
The First Project
Friday brought our first real project and presentation — a time-constricted task that tested everything we’d learned so far.
Having a project dropped on you so early on in training, with definitely less time than is required to complete it, I will admit was not how I was hoping to begin my Friday morning. Leading up to the project, however, many previous DSers told us to take it easy and tried to convince us (unsuccessfully) not to stress too much, comforting us with their own horror stories of getting it wrong...
By the time of completing the first project and presenting my work, I could see the value in having done it. It was by no means a fantastic, polished piece of work, nor was it meant to be (I think that’s why we were told not to stress too much about it). The value instead came from seeing how much we’d already learned in just five days, and in learning (the hard way) the importance of planning work and time-keeping.
Reflections and What's Next
Looking back, week one was a whirlwind of information, collaboration, and new experiences. It was challenging, but in a really positive way. Every day pushed me out of my comfort zone, and by Friday, I could already feel my mindset shifting - from being nervous about “getting it right” to being excited about experimenting, learning, and improving.
What stood out most to me wasn’t just the training itself, but the people - the coaches who are genuinely invested in our development, and the people across The Information Lab who have been willing to share their knowledge, offer advice, and have made me feel a part of the team really quickly . There’s a sense that we’re all in it together.
That sense of community came through clearly on Friday evening, when a bunch of us - along with some alumni - got together for board games night. It was a relaxed and fun (and much needed) way to close out an intense first week, and a great opportunity to connect with people who’ve already been through the programme. Hearing their experiences and advice gave a good perspective on what lies ahead.
If this first week is anything to go by, the months ahead will bring plenty of learning, challenge, and development. I’m looking forward to continuing to build my skills, share what I learn, and grow into the role as a confident data consultant.
-- Tyler