Let me take you back to March 2024 — the moment I first discovered The Data School.
Four months into my data analytics journey, I was feeling completely lost. LinkedIn felt like an endless black hole of job postings, most requiring 500+ applicants or 10+ years of experience with tools that hadn’t even existed that long. I watched former colleagues step into new roles, while I was still trying to figure out how to break into the field.
Then, something caught my eye: a small bubble-shaped logo that read:
“Looking to become the next Data Consultant at The Information Lab? Come to our meet and greet on April 18th.”
Confused but intrigued, I clicked through to their company page. What I found was a vibrant feed of posts — informative, welcoming, and filled with real community. I didn’t know much about them, but I knew one thing:
I was interested. I immediately checked Eventbrite to register for the event.
Sold out. Oof. Still determined to attend, I booked a virtual ticket and thought: worst case, I show up and they don’t let me in.
April 18th: The Meet & Greet
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I walked into Civic Hall that evening not knowing what to expect — and was greeted with smiling faces, laughter, and pizza.
The room was full of people, from Data School consultants to others curious like me. I got to hear live presentations about the tools they use and what a typical day at The Information Lab looks like. By the end of the evening, one thing was clear:
I was hooked. I knew immediately — this is where I wanted to be.
The Application Process
From conversations that night, I learned the process to join The Data School was broken down into three main steps:
Step 1:
Create a data visualization on a topic of your choice using a real dataset. The goal is to craft a compelling story through the dashboard. You can request feedback, make improvements, and then submit a final version.
Step 2:
If accepted, you’re invited to a virtual interview where you present your dashboard, walk through your insights, and answer questions about why you want to become a data consultant.
Step 3:
If you make it through step 2, you receive a dataset chosen by The Information Lab. You’ll have one week to create another dashboard and then present it in person during the final interview. It’s intense — like sprinting a marathon — but it’s your chance to shine.
Preparing for the Opportunity
With no cohort currently open for applications, I spent the rest of 2024 focused on sharpening my skills in Tableau. I joined a bootcamp, completed several DataCamp courses, and probably watched every Tableau video on YouTube.
I checked The Data School’s company page every month waiting for the next cohort announcement.
Finally — near the end of the year — it happened:
"Now hiring for DSNY9."
I was ready.
Building My Dashboard
Even though the process had three steps, I focused on just the first. Why stress over step three if I couldn’t even pass step one?
I had a little over a month, which gave me a sense of control. But it wasn’t as easy as I thought. Just finding the right dataset took 3–4 days. I wanted it to be personal, but also insightful — something that told a story and captured who I was.
Then, one Sunday morning, I was chatting with a close friend about that afternoon’s NFL games. Every weekend, we talk player stats, game predictions, and betting lines… yet somehow we always end up losing more bets than we win.
That’s when it hit me:
Can I use data to beat the Vegas sportsbooks?
It was perfect:
✅ Personal
✅ Fun
✅ Insightful
✅ Problem-solving
I spent that day combing the internet for data — and finally found a dataset going back to the early 2000s, packed with historical game outcomes and betting lines.
That month flew by faster than I expected.
I dedicated nearly every waking hour to the dashboard — exploring the data, building calculations, breaking things, fixing them again, and constantly refining the visual design. I reached out to current Data Schoolers, asked questions, and learned tricks that felt like absolute sorcery at first.
I submitted my dashboard early to get feedback and took full advantage of it to improve.
After countless revisions, tweaks, and tests… I submitted my final dashboard. It felt like a massive weight off my shoulders. I knew I had done everything I could.
The Final Stages
From there, I moved through the interview stages — presenting my work, answering questions, and building another dashboard under a tight deadline.
It was hard work. It was stressful. It was fast-paced.
And then I got the call:
I was accepted.
Writing this now feels surreal. A few months ago, I was dreaming about working here. Now, I’m sharing the story of how I made that dream happen.
So if you’re applying — or even just considering it — let me leave you with a few tips from someone who was in your shoes not long ago.
💡 1. Choose a topic you care about.
Working with a dataset that genuinely interests you will make the hard parts easier — and your dashboard stronger.
⏳ 2. Give yourself time.
Things will break. You’ll need to research things you’ve never done before. Start early.
💬 3. Ask for feedback.
The people in this company want you to succeed. Reach out. Ask questions. Learn from others.
Thanks for reading — and good luck on your own journey!
Hope to see you at The Data School soon.