And so my first week at The Data School is complete! After so much anticipation, it has been so lovely to be made to feel so welcome by everyone I have met. Everyone has made every effort to welcome my cohort, the soon-to-be-seminal, DS 50 to TIL.
Here's what Week 1 has taught me:
Tech on boarding is always a headache, even at a tech company...
My first day was off to a great start, getting introduced to my brilliant cohort, DS 50, and meeting our Coach, Lorna. After introductions, (there have been many) we had our first sessions learning about how to make the most of life at The Data School. Next up, getting our shiny new laptops and trying not to feel like you're failing at the first hurdle while trying to download all of the programmes and systems. Everything starting to feel very real right about now!
You actually have wisdom to impart already...
Despite only having completed one day at The Data School, I joined the Meet & Greet session. I'd attended one session before my final interview, and found the information really helpful, especially being able to chat to members of the DS, so I was keen to stay and chat, this time representing the DS. Meeting & chatting with potential applicants to the DS, I actually discovered I had so much to share already, on both my first week, but also the process that got me here.
Document everything...
If you don't, you will regret it. Even in week one, the challenge is making notes, and making them make sense when you come back to them the next day. The challenge continues...
Everything starts with the principles
Coming into the DS, I imagined being thrown into Tableau with full force, but I've instead discovered the first port of call is really understanding the principles. Getting to grips with structures and terminology has been the priority ahead of being introduced to the data. The same goes for consulting, with the ground work being the focus to help us prepare for when we apply what we've learnt later down the line.
Planning is key
Along with documenting everything, planning is going to be a very important aspect of the DS, so I'm trying to get into the habit now!
First week complete
With that, my first week is complete! Can't wait to continuing my journey at the DS with my amazing cohort!
