It's a question that undoubtedly crosses the minds of those aspiring to work at The Data School. Allow me to offer some insights that could light your path on this exciting journey.
Passion for Data and Curiosity
The first prerequisite is as clear as day – you must possess a genuine passion for data and a curiosity that drives you to uncover its hidden depths.
Taking the Obvious Next Step
Download and install Tableau Public to get a hands-on experience with this powerful software. If you're accustomed to working with Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers, whether it's with small or extensive datasets, take one of them and import it into Tableau Public. Feel the thrill of creating diverse visualizations – line graphs, area charts, pie charts, scatter plots.
Education Resources: Your Lifeline
Embarking on your Tableau journey might be a bit challenging at first. You might find yourself facing hurdles like, "How do I create a specific graph that would wonderfully complement my findings?" Thankfully, a wealth of resources awaits you. Dive into video tutorials created by Andy Kriebel (www.andykriebel.com or on Youtube). Don't forget to explore this very blog.
Surround Yourself With Data and Data Visualizations
Not too long ago, I would spend my days scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. Sound familiar? Waiting for public transport, mindlessly scrolling past countless posts – 99 percent of which held no real interest.
It's time for a change. Craft your LinkedIn profile, subscribe to data visualization and data analysis channels, and Tableau channels that ignite your inspiration on a daily basis (my favorite LinkedIn channel is from Visual Capitalist). Also rethink your YouTube subscriptions.
Consider acquiring a book that not only engages you but also encourages you to approach the world with an analytical mindset. For example, I recommend "Numbers Don't Lie" by Vaclav Smil.
Engage in Makeover Monday and Workout Wednesday
This may sound like common advice, but believe me, it's crucial.
Every Monday, make it a ritual to download a dataset that you'll explore and analyze using Tableau Public, for instance. Craft your unique visual representation, striving to unveil a compelling narrative within the data. Unearth those extraordinary values, track down trends, and weave your story around them.
Simultaneously, play with the techniques that Tableau offers. On a personal note, I challenged myself to implement a new technique with each Makeover Monday project – techniques that were previously uncharted territory for me. Embrace the challenges. Admittedly, some hurdles took hours to surmount, but the rewards were always worth the effort.
And this is where Workout Wednesday truly stands out! You're given the task of recreating existing visualizations – give it a try and experience the satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Becoming a Part of the Data Community
Take the initiative to register for a multitude of online training sessions. These resources come at no cost and offer a wealth of invaluable insights.
While my personal highlight was the Meet and Greet event at The Data School, I strongly recommend getting involved with Tableau User Group as well (all of them online, but sometimes you can attend in person). Additionally, you'll find a rich source of valuable information through The Data School's Thursday Training sessions (follow The Data School and The Information Lab on LinkedIn for next sessions).
The Power of Feedback
Here's a piece of advice you've likely heard countless times before, yet its significance remains unparalleled. Crafting exceptional work is an intricate task, and valuable feedback plays a pivotal role in refining it. While some might thrive in isolation, I've found that feedback (especially from Eva Murray on YouTube), has been instrumental in my growth.
Remember, feedback isn't always glowing praise, but its real value lies in shaping your craft.
Engage with your peers on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. It might feel slightly uncomfortable to unveil something you've painstakingly created, but this step is a transformative one on your journey towards mastery.
And that brings us to the end of this article. I trust it will help some of you on your journey to The Data School. I am looking forward to next time.