Meet Iordana with a passion for the psychology of data
During my undergraduate studies in psychology, I had a module on research methods where we were taught statistical analysis. I used to dread analysing data for that module until I conducted my final year project, which changed everything. When handling the data I had collected, cleaning and analysing it, I recognised the importance of good data practices and the valuable insights they provide. After completing my degree, I was uncertain about which career to pursue. Reflecting on my studies, I realised how much I enjoyed the analytical component of my dissertation and thought I would like to do that professionally—uncovering hidden stories behind data. My toolkit at the time was limited to SPSS, so I knew I needed to expand my horizons.
I discovered the bootcamps through someone who knew a graduate of the Data Analytics course who spoke highly of their experience at the Curious Academy. I thought the course could help me broaden my analytical skills and learn new tools for analysis.
As advertised on the website and confirmed by the course director, the bootcamp would develop skills in spreadsheets, SQL and Tableau. My initial goal was to master all of them simultaneously, which proved too challenging and disorganised. Therefore, around week two, I took a step back and began setting smaller, weekly milestones to achieve.
A typical day was far from traditional lessons. It was a dynamic, hands-on experience. We were constantly immersed in data, with lessons feeling more like engaging discussions. The emphasis was definitely on practical application, getting our hands dirty with real-world data.
Beyond the technical skills in spreadsheets, SQL and Tableau, the bootcamp taught me the art of data storytelling. Understanding how to present insights to different audiences, ensuring coherence and avoiding cognitive overload were key takeaways.
My portfolio piece, focusing on aid worker incidents worldwide, was a significant learning experience. The biggest hurdle was finding a suitable dataset. After sifting through countless options, I found one that sparked my interest and allowed for in-depth analysis. I learnt the importance of data selection and the challenges of working with complex datasets.
I'm particularly proud of my ability to present complex data in an understandable and engaging way. This skill, along with my proficiency in SQL, Tableau and spreadsheet analysis, is what I'm most excited to showcase to potential employers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the bootcamp was learning to build a cohesive narrative from data. Finding the important bits and crafting a compelling story was a challenge, but collaborating with classmates and analysing other projects online helped me develop a broader perspective.
During the bootcamp, I discovered some incredible "superpowers". I can now take messy, disorganised data from various sources and transform it into a clean, organised dataset, handling missing values and inconsistencies with ease. I can translate complex data into clear and compelling visuals, creating charts, graphs and dashboards that communicate insights effectively. I can craft data-driven narratives that guide decision-making, highlighting key trends and patterns to resonate with stakeholders. And I'm now proficient in manipulating and processing data using Python and its associated libraries, automating tasks and handling large datasets. In essence, the course empowered me to extract valuable insights and use them for informed decisions.
The bootcamp's emphasis on applying theory to real-world datasets and projects was crucial for developing practical skills and building a strong portfolio. Exposure to industry-standard tools and technologies ensured I was equipped with the skills employers seek. The immersive and practical approach allowed for rapid skill acquisition and boosted my confidence.
The Curious Academy provided a fantastic training environment. The modern co-working space, Curious Lounge, with its café and friendly staff, made me feel comfortable and supported.
My ideal role would combine my passion for data with my psychology background, ideally focusing on consumer behaviour data. I'm eager to analyse people's data to reveal purchase trends and more.
Having developed many in-demand skills during the course, I'm now focusing on Python and plan to learn R for statistical analysis. Further down the line, I'm interested in exploring machine learning and AI.
My psychology degree and background in behavioural economics provide a unique perspective on human behaviour and decision-making. This, combined with my statistical knowledge and the technical skills gained in the bootcamp, will be a significant asset in my future data analytics career.
What excites me most about beginning my career is the opportunity to apply my knowledge to help companies understand their data and the stories it holds. I'm eager to grow and develop further by continuously learning new tools and techniques, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and honing my ability to translate data into actionable insights.