Hey everyone, my name’s Paul and I make up one ninth of the new Data School cohort. I’ve spent my whole life feeding my vague irrational fear of the number 13. This has ranged from not putting my gym bag in locker #13 even though it’s the only one free, to increasing/decreasing the TV volume by one notch despite 13 volumity (let it slide) often being the optimal level of sound, to waiting half an hour for the next bus because catching the 13:13 bus from Sparcells to Shaw Ridge in suburban Swindon is just asking for trouble. It was only natural therefore that I should be invited to join the thirteenth edition of The Information Lab’s industry leading data training program. They say that the number is unlucky for some, and in this instance I think that “some” is referring to the other eight members of my cohort for having to spend the next four months with me.

I thought I’d use my first blog entry to highlight some of the things I want to get out of my time at the Data School:

• Become confident at tackling a wide range of data problems using Tableau & Alteryx
• Improve my presentation skills
• Be in the company of hugely talented colleagues and coaches
• Enjoy going into work in the morning

Having almost completed my first week at the DS, I’m already pretty sure that I’ll be able to achieve all these goals. However, it’s become increasingly evident that I’ll likely also be developing skills in the following:

• Dad jokes
• Pressing Ctrl + Z

Subsequent blog posts will focus on tips and tricks that can be used in Tableau & Alteryx, so stay tuned for those.

I’m really looking forward to making the most of this fantastic opportunity I’ve been given by diving deeper into the software’s capabilities in the coming weeks at the Data School, but at a bare minimum I’m hoping to remember to push the building door open as opposed to pulling it. Or should that be the other way round? I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever know.