Data Academy 2022 Spring

Data Academy – launching my career as an Analytics Consultant

After a decade in my previous profession, I felt it was time for a change. I used to be a senior level expert, so making this kind of a change was exciting but also a bit terrifying. The Data Academy was ideal, because I felt it would better support my transition. After my studies, I applied to the Data Academy and I was accepted.

Our Data Academy group had future data platform engineers, future master data management engineers and me, the future visual Analytics consultant. Everyone would learn a bit about each role, giving an introductory level to the topics. Solita’s internal experts held hybrid lessons, which meant real-life knowledge combined with expert tips. Regardless of your career path, the topics will be important to you at some point in your data career.

The best part of the Academy was the network that it offered to me. Firstly, I had my fellow academians. Secondly, I got a good look at all the departments and met colleagues. During the Academy, I met over 70 Solitans and got to know colleagues in different offices.

“The best part of the Academy was the network that it offered to me.”

Data Academy 2022 Spring

Growing as a specialist

After the Academy I dedicated my time to self-studies: Power BI and Azure certificates were my first targets, but I also continued my AWS studies, together with the Mimmit Koodaa community.

I will learn a lot through my work as well because all the work projects are different in Solita. Most importantly, I can commit to self-study time for my work weeks. I am participating in internal training, covering agile methods, Tableau, and service design. These courses will contribute to my work in the future.

The Solita community has warmly welcomed me. My colleagues are helpful, and they share their knowledge eagerly. I received work straight after the Academy, even quite demanding tasks, but there are always senior colleagues to turn to and discuss the matters.

Data Academy Spring 2022

Three tips on how to become an Analytics Consultant

Check what my colleagues Johanna, Tuomas and Tero think of their work as Analytics Consultant. The article gives you a good picture of what our work is all about!

Learn one visualization tool well: it is a small hop to learning a second one later. Also, it is important to understand the licensing. Read my colleagues’ blog post about taking a deep dive into the world of Power BI. 

Of course, you need to understand the core fundamentals of data, and how you can utilize data in business. Here is a great example, of how data creates value.

Finally, notable topics to learn are cloud technologies, databases and data modelling. They are strongly present in our everyday work.

I could not be happier with my choice to join Solita via the Academy, and I sincerely recommend it!

Are you interested in attending Data academy? Read more here!

Data Consultant

Unfolding the work of an Analytics Consultant

Meet Johanna, Tuomas and Tero! Our Consultants, who all work with data analysis and visualizations. Let’s map out their journey at Solita and demystify the work of Analytics Consultants!

All three have had different journeys to become an Analytics Consultant. Tuomas has a business degree and Tero started his career working with telecommunications technology. Johanna however found her way to visualizations quite young: “I created my first IBM Cognos reports as a summer trainee when I was 18 and somehow, I ended up studying Information Systems Science.” It has been, however, love at first sight for all of them. Now they work at Solita’s Data Science and Analytics Cell.

What is a typical Analytics Consultant’s workday like?

The interest in versatile work tasks combines our Analytics Consultants.  Tuomas describes himself as “a Power BI Expert”. His days go fast by designing Power BI phases, modelling data, and doing classical pipeline work. “Sometimes I’d say my role has been something between project or service manager.”

Tero in the other hand is focusing on report developing and visualizations. He defines backlogs, develops metadata models, and holds client workshops.

Johanna sees herself as a Data Visualization Specialist, who develops reports for her customers. She creates datasets, and defines report designs and themes. “My work also includes data governance and the occasional maintenance work,” Johanna adds.

All three agree that development work is one of their main tasks. “I could say that a third of my time goes to development,” Tuomas estimates. “In my case I would say even half of my time goes to development,” Tero states.

Power BI is the main tool that they are using. Microsoft Azure and Snowflake are also in daily use. Tools vary in projects, so Tuomas highlights that “it is important to understand the nature of different tools even though one would not work straight with them”.

What is the best part of an Analytics Consultant’s work?

The possibility to work with real-life problems and creating concrete solutions brings the most joy to our consultants. “It is really satisfying to provide user experiences, which deliver the necessary information and functionality, which the end users need to solve their business-related questions,” Johanna clarifies her thoughts.

And of course, collaborating with people keeps our consultants going! Tuomas estimates that 35% of his time is dedicated to stakeholder communications: he mentions customer meetings, but also writing documentations, and creating project defining, “specs”, with his customers.

Our consultants agree that communication skills are one of the key soft skills to master when desiring to become an Analytics Consultant! Tuomas tells, that working and communicating with end-users has always felt natural to him.

Tero is intrigued by the possibility of working with different industries: “I will learn how different industries and companies work, what kind of processes they have and how legislation affects them. This work is all about understanding the industry and being customer-oriented.”

“Each workday is different and interesting! I am dealing with many different kinds of customers and business domains every day.”

When asked, what keeps the consultants working with visualizations, they all ponder for a few seconds. “A report, which I create, will provide straight benefit for the users. That is important to me,” Tuomas sums up his thoughts. “Each workday is unique and interesting! I am dealing with many different customers and business domains every day,” Johanna answers. Tero smiles and concludes: “When my customers get excited about my visualization, that is the best feeling!”

How are our Analytics Consultants developing their careers?

After working over 10 years with reporting and visualizations, Tero feels that he has found his home: “This role feels good to me, and it suits my personality well. Of course, I am interested in getting involved with new industries and learning new tools, but now I am really contented!”

Tuomas, who is a newcomer compared to Tero, has a strong urge to learn more: “Next target is to get a deeper and more technical understanding of data engineering tools. I would say there are good opportunities at Solita to find the most suitable path for you.”

Johanna has had different roles in her Solita journey, but she keeps returning to work with visualizations: “I will develop my skills in design, and I would love to learn a new tool too! This role is all about continuous learning and that is an important capability of an Analytics Consultant!”

“I would say there are good opportunities at Solita to find the most suitable path for you.”

How to become an excellent Analytics Consultant? Here are our experts’ tips:

Johanna: “Work together with different stakeholders to produce the best solutions. Do not be afraid to challenge the customer, ask questions or make mistakes.”

Tuomas: “Be curious to try and learn new things. Don’t be afraid to fail. Ask colleagues and remember to challenge customer’s point of view when needed.”

Tero: “Be proactive! From the point of view of technical solutions and data. Customers expect us to bring them innovative ideas!”

Would you like to join our Analytics Consultant team? Check our open positions.

Read our Power BI Experts’ blog post: Power BI Deep Dive