You're navigating the world of data analytics. How can you guide junior team members towards career success?

When guiding junior team members in data analytics, I focus on helping them build the right skills. I encourage them to dive deep into both technical and soft skills because a balance of both is key in this field. I share my own experiences—like how mastering tools like SQL and Tableau made a difference in my career. I also emphasize the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. I remind them that it’s okay to ask questions and make mistakes because that’s how you grow. I make it a point to give them real-world challenges to solve, so they can apply their skills and gain confidence. By building a solid skill set and fostering a growth mindset, they’ll be well on their way to career success.

Navigating the world of data analytics is like solving a complex puzzle every day. To guide junior team members towards career success in data analytics, I emphasize the importance of curiosity and strong problem-solving skills. With over 100+ tools available for data curation and presentation, adaptability and a continuous learning mindset are essential. Encouraging them to stay curious, embrace challenges, and be open to learning new tools and techniques is key to thriving in this ever-evolving field.

When we talk about navigating the dynamic field of data analytics, there's a basic misconception that almost everyone comes across. Which is simply learning SQL, Python, Looker, Tableau, BigQuery and you are done! Amongst the most basic folly with it is there are merely tools of your choice to perform analytics and processing of the data which is secondary. Primarily, actual part should always be on getting as much understanding of the data as possible. Say in terms of domain, size, cadence etc. One way to do so is to always have ER Diagrams, Data Flow diagrams ready either as a pre-requisite or have tasks to create those coupled with domain/business understanding to gauge other aspects of the data.

A few things in my opinion that define successful teams are: Enablement: Onboard your team properly, Explain your function's goal clearly, readily provide the tools for them to explore and use. Sharing: Openly share knowledge, brief everyone on what you are doing and why. Involvement: Your team should always be thinking what they can do, not wait for you to tell them. When mentoring juniors, make yourself replaceable through them. Delegate important tasks and let them make mistakes and give due credit when earned. Set a professional growth plan for anyone lacking skills. Praise personal growth for those investing in themselves.

From my experience of managing a team, I submit that a culture of curiosity in data analytics also promotes a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. By encouraging team members to question and explore, you're helping them develop a growth mindset that stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field. This not only benefits the individual but also injects fresh perspectives and ideas into the organization, driving innovation and staying relevant in an ever-changing data landscape.

Establish a career plan. Set clear goals and establish timeframes. Focus on projects you want to get involved, technical and soft skills to develop. Make sure to set such goals under a SMART framework and make periodic checkpoints. Whenever possible, find a mentor you can talk with about your career plan and aspirations.