Read all about Sara’s story here.
What motivated you to transition from being a therapist to becoming a Business Intelligence Analyst?
In my work as a therapist, I struggled to accept some of the barriers of the mental health system and subjectivity of the intended outcomes in social work. When I looked at the career path ahead of me, I knew I wouldn’t be fulfilled long-term. I began exploring career paths that would marry my desire to put good out into the world and leverage my passion for strategic decision making. I discovered BI and all the vast opportunities to offered to help companies solve problems and make data-driven decisions. BI offered a perfect blend of my analytical skills and my desire to make impactful change in my career.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your career transition, and how did you overcome them?
Self-doubt was the greatest barrier at the start of my career change journey. This was conquered with time, as I challenged myself to take risks and prove to myself that I could learn a completely new skillset and translate my previous experiences to the field of data. Having enthusiastic mentors and peers in my TripleTen bootcamp really helped me stay motivated!
Did you have to undergo any specific training or education to move into the field of business intelligence? If so, what did that entail?
My training with TripleTen was integral to successfully making this career change. The bootcamp emphasized practical, project-based learning, which allowed me to build a portfolio of real-world BI projects. This hands-on experience was crucial in developing my skills and boosting my confidence to transition into the field. The bootcamp also included soft skills training and career coaching, offering holistic support in my career journey.
Can you describe a typical day in your role as a Business Intelligence Analyst at TripleTen?
As a TripleTen student while maintaining my full-time job as a therapist, I typically completed my coursework in the evenings and on weekends. After work, I would do a quick “reset” and spend some time to take care of daily life tasks. I’d spend about 2-3 hours in the evening studying throughout the work week, and completed projects on the weekends. One thing that was really helpful in flexing my study time, was the TripleTen Discord, which I could reference anytime of the day or night or get answers to my questions. Balancing work and studying was not always the easiest, but I tried my best to be disciplined in my routine and motivated myself with the reminder that my busy schedule was a temporary sacrifice that would have a major pay-off in the end.
What are some key projects you have worked on since joining TripleTen?
I had the opportunity to work on several projects that not only helped to sharpen my technical skills, but allowed me to build a portfolio that demonstrated my proficiency and ability to apply these skills to real-world business problems. One key project I worked on involved analyzing raw transaction logs for an e-commerce company to calculate conversion and retention rates. Using cohort analysis, I was able to track the behavior of different customer groups over time, providing valuable insights into customer retention patterns and identifying factors that influenced conversion rates. This project required extensive data cleaning and processing, followed by exploratory data analysis using pivot tables, and finally creating a report of the analysis findings for key stakeholders. The insights derived from this analysis helped the company refine its marketing strategies and improve customer retention efforts.
What key skills do you believe are essential for success in business intelligence?
On the technical side, proficiency using spreadsheets, SQL, and data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI are essential. The technical skills involved in BI are very accessible, with many avenues to learn and grow. Fortitude and curiosity will make you all the more successful. It requires the willingness to tackle challenges and find unique solutions to be successful using BI tools and deriving valuable insights.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career shift similar to yours?
Embrace the learning process and stay persistent. Career changes are difficult but rewarding. Invest time building a strong portfolio of projects to showcase your skills and unique talent. A reputable program like TripleTen can provide comprehensive training and support. Most importantly, believe in yourself and that you are capable of hard things!
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during your career transition?
I would have started networking and seeking mentorship earlier in my transition. Connecting with professionals in the BI field sooner may have provided additional insights into the latest industry practices and perhaps accelerated my learning process. Other than that, I am grateful for the path I took, as each step contributed to my growth and success in my new career.
