Human Connection: The People Behind the Numbers

In December 2017, after spending nearly a decade in the banking industry in Nigeria, I found myself stumbling upon a new and intriguing role in data analytics. It was as if data analytics had chosen me rather than the other way around. Starting from scratch, I embarked on an exciting journey of learning, growing alongside my new colleagues, and developing my skills in utilizing data as an asset to solve business problems.

Four years swiftly passed, and I was transformed into a data analytics leader, building and managing multiple data teams. Together, we created fascinating data solutions across various use cases within the business. As I transitioned from a creator to a people manager, I found myself offering advice to young professionals eager to embark on their own data careers, sharing valuable lessons I had learned along the way.

I then embarked on an extraordinary quest to share my experiences with the world. But this was no ordinary tale of technical jargon and complex algorithms. Oh no! I had something different in mind.

You see, amid the sea of articles and tutorials about data, I realized there was a gap – a niche yearning to be filled. It was the realm of human connection, the overlooked world of people and the soft skills that make or break a career in analytics. And so, I eagerly embraced this path as a storyteller of the people behind the numbers.

Word quickly spread about my expertise, and soon I was inundated with requests from Nigerian professionals for guidance (both within and outside my industry). Calls and messages poured in, all seeking my perspective on how to embark on a successful professional journey in analytics. Even though I provided answers to those who reached out directly, I felt a strong desire to do something more substantial to help aspiring individuals beyond these ad hoc interactions.

Recognizing the need to create a structured platform, I began organizing group coaching sessions and one-on-one mentoring, encouraging participants to reflect on questions that revealed their deepest connections to data analytics, aligning it with their individual goals, skills and interests.

As the coaching programs gained momentum, coupled with my regular posts on LinkedIn, I realized there was an untapped potential – a level I could reach beyond the confines of direct interactions. This realization birthed newsletters [1, 2], addressing burning topics and providing answers to common questions, including “Do I need a data science master’s degree?,” “How do I effectively tell a data story?” and “What should be my data career end game?”

Word of “The Datamind-Mindset” spread rapidly, attracting attendees from across the African continent and various industries such as healthcare, finance and fintech. The webinars became a hub for knowledge exchange, fostering meaningful connections within the data analytics community.

So many questions are burning in the hearts of data enthusiasts! Some that we discussed include:

1. How do I transition into data analytics from a different career path?
2. How can an entry-level data analyst secure a job?
3. How can an experienced professional reskill from another sector into data analytics?
4. What are the prerequisites and tools for starting a career in analytics?

To date, more than 500 individuals have participated in my coaching programs and webinars, and the monthly newsletter boasts an impressive subscriber count of nearly 2,500 professionals eagerly seeking insights through “The Datamind-Mindset” on LinkedIn.

I have a clear message that I’ve been sharing through coaching programs, articles and webinars. My goal is to assist aspiring, young and experienced data professionals in Nigeria and across Africa in gaining clarity for their career journey in data analytics. Although there is still a lot of work to be done to reach the thousands who need to hear this message, I find encouragement in the I’ve had the privilege to connect with. An attendee of one of my coaching sessions said, “I really want to be the best and an expert in data analytics (data forecasting) and be able to link it to operations research. I know that attending this coaching session is a step in the right direction.”

The data community in Nigeria is rapidly growing and maturing, and I have been privileged to contribute beyond my own coaching programs with invitations to speak at conferences, hackathons and webinars and teach data courses on various physical and virtual platforms.

Still, my ambitions extend far beyond these achievements. I dream of reaching a global audience, empowering aspiring data professionals worldwide with the guidance and support that experienced data practitioners like me can provide. To realize this vision, I plan to develop more comprehensive material and accessible content, enabling anyone seeking clarity on starting their careers in analytics to find the guidance they need.

The journey has been exhilarating thus far, but I know there is still so much more to come. Countless professionals yearn for the guidance and assistance that experienced data professionals can offer. With unwavering determination, I am committed to expanding my reach, touching lives and shaping the future of data analytics careers on a global scale.

References

1. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-data-mind-7014891230778044416/
2. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9275173/