Dear new Data Schoolers,
Congratulations on getting the chance and welcome to the data school. At the time of writing this, I've probably met only one or two of you. I am writing here my advice to you based on my mistakes, experiences, and things I wish I had done better so you might have an imagination of what to be aware about especially during the training. So, here we go:
Confidence:
- You have been chosen to be part of the data school team and the people that chose you (the recruiting team) know precisely what they're doing. You went through a tough process and you made it through.
- So, you actually qualify and have the potential to be a great data consultant. Be confident and trust your skills and abilities.
- If there is something you are struggling with, it is very normal; just ask questions and learn how to overcome it. Do not be afraid to make mistakes.
- Do not underestimate your work and do not compare yourself to other people who might have more skills or experience in a specific area. If you have them, then it is actually good for you and that's what makes a strong team.
Hard Times and Stress:
- The training phase is very intensive and you should be ready for it both physically and mentally.
- Don't focus on the word ‘Stress’; take this as a challenge that will transform you to a better person and will sharpen your skills and enjoy this challenge.
- If you get tired, get rest. Engage in sports or activities that help with stress relief like praying, yoga, etc. It is okay to push hard to test your potential sometimes, but you have to be careful.
- If you get too stressed or burned out, take a break, go to a nice restaurant and eat some cake.
- Remember that stress and hard times are the things that you will thank later; "Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine
Teamwork:
- You will be working with different types of people that have different backgrounds and different personalities. Make sure you are aware of the following:
- In every group work, there will be disagreements and conflicts. Embrace the differences and accept the conflict.
- Listen to others carefully and say your opinion freely. Even if you strongly disagree with each other, try to find a way to find the point where everyone meets. This would make the challenge very beautiful.
Feedback:
- You will continuously get feedback from trainers or other consultants. Make sure you understand the feedback and you try to follow it as much as possible. You do not have to do everything you are told; there is always space for your judgment and evaluation. But remember, the people that gave you the feedback have much more experience and they know what they are talking about.
These are my tips for you, I hope you find them useful. Do not hesitate to reach out and ask questions if you have any.
Good Luck 😊
Ali Fawwaz