As I sat in my tiny room, sipping on my third cup of coffee and staring at the glow of my laptop, I couldn’t help but wonder: is the path to success just a series of serendipitous stumbles?
Rewind a bit. After graduating, I, like many others, felt like I’d been handed the keys to the universe, only to discover they opened doors I didn’t even know I wanted to walk through. The pressure to find "the right path" was suffocating, and the thought of making a mistake? Terrifying. Cue my six-month-long escape plan from hospitality—a world of late nights, endless smiles, and sore feet.
And then, like a twist of fate, I stumbled across the Data School. I didn’t know what it was or why it mattered, but after a quick Google search, I realized I’d hit the jackpot. A place where my analytical skills from university and my people skills from customer service could finally meet in a harmonious blend of potential.
But here’s the thing about golden opportunities: they’re rarely handed to you without a little (or a lot of) effort.
The Application Odyssey
When I first started the application process, I thought, This will be a breeze. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t some soul-crushing experience, but I definitely underestimated how much time and energy it would require. And so, in true overthinking fashion, I’ve decided to compile my Top Tips for Applying to the Data School.
But because I have a lot (and I mean a lot) of tips, I’m breaking this down into instalments. Welcome to Part 1, where we focus on the three T’s: Time, Tableau, and... Containers.
Tip #1: Give Yourself More Time Than You Think
When I first heard of Tableau, my reaction was, “Tableau-who?” I had absolutely no clue what it was or how to use it. My advice? Start early. Download the software, play around with it, and get familiar. YouTube tutorials are your best friend here (linking my favourite one below). Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize how intuitive it is.
And trust me, if you’ve ever wrestled with the nightmare that is SPSS during your university days, Tableau will feel like a sunny vacation. It’s drag-and-drop—want a measure somewhere? Drag it. Simple.
Tip #2: Master the Art of the Dashboard
Once you’ve cracked the code on charts and formatting, the next step is putting it all together in a dashboard. Now, here’s where things get interesting. Dashboards can be formatted in countless ways—fonts, colours, shapes, images. It’s like interior decorating but for data.
But here’s the kicker: use containers. I repeat, use containers. Imagine building a house with no foundation—that’s what a dashboard without containers feels like. And, pro tip: always use an “emergency blank” in your containers. Think of it as the duct tape of Tableau—it keeps everything in place and prevents weird glitches.
Tip #3: Prep Like a Consultant, Present Like a Pro
You’re not just applying to be an analyst; you’re signing up to be a consultant. And that means personality matters just as much as your technical skills.
Spend some time researching the company. Who’s interviewing you? What’s the Data School’s ethos? A quick Google or a ChatGPT inquiry can save you from those awkward “uhh” moments.
When it comes to your presentation, practice is your secret weapon. Write a script—not a novel, just bullet points to keep you on track. Then grab a friend or a family member to rehearse with. If they can follow along with your explanation, you’re golden. And remember: confidence is key. Even if you’re nervous, fake it till you make it.
As I closed my laptop that night, I couldn’t help but think that applying to the Data School wasn’t just about getting a job—it was about rediscovering myself. In the chaos of software downloads, dashboard experiments, and late-night rehearsals, I’d found a path I was genuinely excited about.
And so, here’s to embracing the journey—emergency blanks and all. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive even deeper into this love affair with data.
Song of the Day:
~S xoxo