[My BI Path | Part-3] Unlocking the World of Business Intelligence: A Guide to a Rewarding Career

Knowing ourselves is the most important quest to accomplish before we try to SHAPE ourselves!

Yemunn Soe
Geek Culture
6 min readFeb 8, 2023

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Before Picking Up (or) Equipping Skills for a Career in Data Science

Before picking up (or) equipping skills, I learned and reflected on myself first. Self-reflection is really important. I checked my soul and checked my heart! Sometimes people are misguided by trends. My suggestion is to follow your HEART and not the TREND! If your HEART (or) SOUL knows that you are going for this career, the next step for you is to ANALYZE yourself. Where are you (your skills) right now? List them down on paper! Where do you want to go? Business Intelligence (BI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science (DS), Machine Learning (ML), Data Engineering (DE), and other data science specializations. List the required skills to become a BI, AI, DS, ML, or DE. Where are you right now and where do you want to go? How big is the skills gap?

What is the purpose? Are you picking these skills just for your KNOWLEDGE (or) are you picking these skills for PROFESSION (which can be applied for your career advancement and generate income for you)? Have you checked yourself that you are learning deeply (or) the other way around? Do you have enough FOCUS and GRIT(perseverance)to take a long journey? Do you have enough FOCUS and GRIT (perseverance) to learn deeply about a particular subject? Data Science is a FANCY & SEXY term.

But the pursuit of becoming a data scientist is not a SHALLOW LEARNING. Data Science, by its nature, is definitely not a SMALL AMOUNT OF ITERATION, LEARNING, APPLYING, TESTING, FAILING, RETESTING, OVERCOMING FAILURES, DEPLOYING, and REVAMPING. It is not a SHORT TERM LEARNING. It is definitely not a SHORT TERM JOURNEY. Knowing our passion, Knowing the degree of our burning desire. Knowing our readiness level. Know our perseverance. Know our vision. Know our focus. Knowing ourselves is the most important quest to accomplish before we try to SHAPE ourselves!

Self-awareness is a key aspect of personal growth and career development, and this holds true for individuals interested in pursuing a career in data science. Understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests is critical in making informed decisions about the direction of one’s career. Without this self-awareness, it can be challenging to choose a career path that aligns with personal goals and leads to fulfillment. By taking the time to reflect and understand oneself, individuals can increase their chances of success and satisfaction in their careers, as they are able to make decisions based on their unique skills and interests. In short, before embarking on the journey of shaping a career in data science, it is important to take a step back and focus on understanding oneself first.

Additionally, self-awareness also helps individuals identify areas for growth and development, which can be beneficial in the constantly evolving field of data science. With the rapid advancements in technology and the increasing demand for data-driven decision making, it is essential for individuals to continuously develop their skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve. By having a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, individuals can identify areas they need to improve upon and make a plan to do so. This not only helps in career advancement but also enhances job performance and overall satisfaction.

Habits and Grit for Thriving A Dynamic Career

Obtaining the right skills and knowledge before pursuing a career in data science, data analytics, business intelligence, data engineering, data architect, and business analyst is essential for success in these fields. This requires a commitment to continual learning and growth, as well as a focus on building the right habits and mindset. The key to staying on a career path and achieving success in data science and related fields is developing the right mindset. This means cultivating a mindset of perseverance, focus, passion, and patience, as well as continually learning and building strong habits. The combination of obtaining the right skills and knowledge, along with a focus on mindset development, is what sets individuals on a path towards success and fulfillment in these exciting and dynamic fields.

In “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear, the author emphasizes the importance of developing an identity and having consistency in one’s habits. This applies to the pursuit of a career in data science, as well. In order to succeed in these fields, it is important to develop a strong foundation in relevant technologies, programming languages, and statistical methods. This requires a dedication to continual learning, as well as a willingness to experiment and try new things. It is also important to cultivate a mindset of curiosity, structure & organize thinking and critical thinking. This involves asking effective questions, exploring new data sources and techniques, and being open to new ideas and perspectives. In addition to these technical skills, it is also important to develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Data science and business intelligence are highly collaborative fields, and having the ability to work effectively with others, as well as to clearly and effectively communicate findings and insights, is essential for success.

Angela Lee Duckworth’s book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” offers valuable tips and best practices that are applicable for those considering a career in data science. One of the key takeaways from this book is the importance of perseverance and the ability to stay focused on one’s goals, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. This is particularly relevant for individuals pursuing a career in data science, where it can take time and effort to master new technologies and statistical methods. Another important lesson from this book is the importance of having a passion and purpose for one’s work. This can help to provide motivation and energy, even when the work is difficult or challenging. Additionally, the book emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence in achieving success. Data science is a complex field, and it can take time to see the results of one’s efforts. However, with patience and persistence, individuals can achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to their organizations and the field as a whole.

Recommended Books for your Habit & Mindset

30-Second Takeaway

  • Before pursuing a career in data science, reflect on yourself first. Check your passion, desire, readiness, perseverance, and focus. Self-awareness is key for personal growth and career development.
  • Understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests. This helps in choosing a career path that aligns with personal goals and leads to fulfillment.
  • In the constantly evolving field of data science, continuous learning and development is essential for success and job satisfaction. Obtaining the right skills and knowledge, along with developing the right mindset of perseverance, focus, passion, and patience, sets individuals on a path towards success and fulfillment.
  • Cultivate a mindset of curiosity, structured thinking, critical thinking, and continual learning. Perseverance, focus on goals, and a growth mindset are important factors for success in data science, as highlighted in the books “Atomic Habits” and “Grit”.

I am writing this article provides information and resources for those looking to pursue a career in business intelligence, even with limited resources. My intention is to empower and inspire those who have limited resources available to them, by sharing my journey as a Business Intelligence (BI) specialist and offering valuable insights and advice on how to kickstart a career in this field. Stay tuned for more of my personal thoughts, insights, perception, and tips on how to navigate the exciting world of data science and business intelligence.

[My BI Path | Part-1] Unlocking the World of Business Intelligence: A Guide to a Rewarding Career

[My BI Path | Part-2] Unlocking the World of Business Intelligence: A Guide to a Rewarding Career

with Mittā

Yemunn

#BusinessInsightsFromData#DataDrivenDecisionMaking #DataEcosystemRoles#DataInsights#DataInnovation#DataDrivenBusiness #DataProfessionals #DataSkills #BusinessIntelligence#DataScience #DataEngineering #DataArchitect #DataAnalytics #DataEcosystem #DataStrategy #DataGovernance #CareerJourney #DemandForDataScience #FourthIndustrialRevolution

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Yemunn Soe
Geek Culture

Trusted Business Intelligence(BI) Advisor // Enabling data-led innovations, business opportunities.