Prior to The Data School, I completed a full-time data analytics bootcamp at Fullstack Academy. How did a data analytics bootcamp education prepare me for The Data School?
📊 INTRODUCTION TO TABLEAU
In the Tableau unit of the bootcamp program, I fell in love. At that point in time, I’ve created data visualizations using Excel and Python libraries, such as Matplotlib and Seaborn. Tableau’s data visualization capabilities were so intuitive with its drag and drop interface and its visualizations were easily customizable and interactive without ever having to use code! It was difficult to return to Jupyter Notebook and design data visualizations using Python again.
I wanted to continue working with Tableau even after that unit and perhaps even become a Tableau developer in the future. I was given a foundational knowledge of the software and yearned to learn more.Eventually, I was drawn to the Data School due to its training in Tableau.
🧠ANALYTICAL THINKING
I have always been an organized person armed with lesson plans and travel itineraries, but coming from a humanities background, I was worried about my ability to think logically and moreover, intimidated by the idea of coding in general. During the SQL unit of the bootcamp program, I surprisingly found SQL fun; I enjoyed querying in SQL and answering questions about the data felt rewarding. Python was more challenging than SQL, but with more practice, it became much easier to manipulate Pandas dataframes and more.
Furthermore, I practiced my analytical skills in group and independent projects. (Feel free to check out my Github for some of my past work!) This exposure and exercise strengthened my problem-solving skills, which have been helpful in learning Alteryx so far.
🌱 GROWTH MINDSET
I felt uneasy about being a student again because I have not formally studied in a classroom for more than five years - would I be okay in an online classroom environment? I was more than okay. It was exciting to be a student again and learn from others.
I was asked recently why I was in the Data School after completing a bootcamp program - wasn’t the bootcamp enough? My answer was I wanted to learn more about Tableau, but in retrospect, I realized I also enjoy learning in general and yearned to learn more from some of the best Tableau and Alteryx minds in the industry.