What’s Really Needed to ‘Excel’ in the Data World? by Jessica Okonkwo
Jessica Okonkwo is a Data apprentice at Financial Times, writing for the Community Blogging Team.
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Follow me on my Multiverse apprenticeship journey where I'll write articles that provide you with practical measures you can take to land your apprenticeship and succeed both personally and professionally.
When people think of data, they tend to think of excel spreadsheets and start shouting out the famous function - “V-lookup”. But trust me, a lot more than that is needed to excel in the data world (pun intended)! Take it from me, a Level 4 Junior Data Analyst at Financial Times.
First and foremost, problem-solving and being able to think analytically will get you pretty far as this is probably 80% of the job. Every single day, you need to solve problems and think of potential solutions for your stakeholders. So get into the habit of thinking creatively. For instance when you have a solution, think about if there are alternative methods, and why they may or may not work.
Another key skill that I found crucial is having exceptional communication skills. This is because you need to be able to present and explain your work to people who probably won't understand the mechanics behind the data analysis. It is your responsibility to relay technical information to a non-technical audience. Possibly define storytelling with data here, how do you relay the information to non-technical audiences?
Effective listening skills are important in order to understand the requirements of the business or stakeholder. Learn to listen to understand instead of listening to respond.
My favourite soft skill that is needed, not just for data or tech, but for pretty much any role is your willingness to learn. Having this mindset will set you apart from the rest. It shows you are not afraid to make mistakes and you want to learn something new. This is why having prior technical knowledge isn't always required because it is something you can learn if you are willing.
Of course, in the data world having technical skills helps. Knowing how to code in SQL, R, and Python can boost your CV incredibly, so yes, I urge you to learn them. But do not be put off if you don't already know them. Anything and everything can be taught!
I started off with no prior coding experience, however, I was able to build my knowledge and become pretty good at using SQL! How did I do this? DataCamp and Leetcode! These are online tools that upskill you for the tech world. You can go through tutor-led courses, where you are given real-life examples that challenge you! I started on the beginner SQL course and eventually worked my way up using Datacamp. Once I felt confident and was able to query basic functionality, I started using LeetCode. I committed to using it for an hour every day. Every day, Leetcode gives you a new challenge, some were really difficult and I wasn't able to complete them, others I found really fun and I felt incredibly accomplished once Id completed them. I urge you to do the same! Learning to programme in any language is usually a pretty bumpy road, but don't let that put you off.
On this journey, I learned one very important thing and I want to share that with you; Practice doesn't make perfect, especially when it comes to coding. Practice makes progress, and progress is all that matters. There is no such thing as an expert coder! There is always something to learn. Utilise as many people and resources as possible. I found that knowing how and what to google can also be a lifesaver, not to mention the holy grail - Stack Overflow!
All the best on your journey!
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