7 Strategies to Launch a BIA Journey

from TripleTen Student, Robert Pickett

A little bit about me: I’m nearly 60 years old, and I switched careers to something more data oriented. I’ve been using computers since Reagan was president. So if this old dog can learn something new, so can you, and since you've decided to jump into the world of business intelligence analysis with TripleTen, I can tell you that exciting times are ahead! Don't worry if it feels a bit overwhelming at first — we've all been there. Think of it as joining a club where everyone's figuring things out together. Let's break down some tips to help you navigate this journey.

Embrace the learning curve

Remember when you first learned to ride a bike? It probably felt impossible at first, but then it clicked. BIA is kind of like that. Don't expect to know everything right away. Start with the basics and build from there. The first sprint had me scratching my head — pivot tables? What are they? Why use them? But the easy-to-learn lessons made that initial assignment a breeze to complete. 

Pro tip: Get your hands dirty with real data. Nothing beats practical experience for making those textbook concepts come to life. The data that TripleTen uses is real data.

Juggle your time like a pro

We all know life doesn't pause just because you're studying. Try to carve out a schedule that works for you. Put the important stuff first — like your kid's soccer game or your best friend's birthday. Then fit your study time around that.

Need help staying organized? There are tons of apps and tools out there to keep you on track. Find one that clicks with you and stick with it. My personal favorite is the Franklin Quest planner system. Best of all, I don't have to worry about losing the file — it’s analog!

Join the BIA party

Remember: you're not alone in this! Hop onto the TripleTen Discord and chat with your fellow BIA enthusiasts. It's like a virtual water cooler where you can swap stories, ask for help, or just vent when you need to. I have lost count of the number of times that I reviewed past questions that others had asked so that I could find the answer I needed. In doing so, I learned that it’s far easier to look up other people's questions than it is for me to wait for an answer.

They might even help you avoid some common pitfalls.

Show off your skills

As you work through projects, keep a record of what you've done. Think of it as your BIA highlight reel. Organize it in a way that makes sense to you — maybe by project sprint or type of analysis. Using GitHub as a repository for all your past projects is a great way to keep track of everything. This way, when the job interviewer is looking at your past work, they can see all your accomplishments. It really helps out if you update the repository as you complete projects so that they’re still fresh in your mind.

When you're job hunting, tailor your portfolio to each application. It's like picking the right outfit for different occasions — you want to showcase the skills that fit the job best.

Share your journey

Ever noticed how some people document their fitness progress on social media? Do the same with your BIA journey. Share your wins, your struggles, and your "aha" moments. It's a great way to connect with others and get feedback. We've all been there: struggling and eventually succeeding.

Platforms like Medium or LinkedIn are perfect for this. For example, this article.

Who knows;  you might inspire someone else to start their own BIA journey!

Stay in the loop

It's like keeping up with your favorite TV show — you don't want to miss out on the newest developments. I joined several groups on LinkedIn that are business intelligence oriented. 

They help me stay current on the latest trends, but they’re also valuable sources of crucial intel. In fact, people will often post cheat sheets that can help others in BIA improve their workflows.

In addition, if you can, attend some industry events. They're great for learning and networking. Plus, it's always fun to geek out with other data enthusiasts in person.

The big picture

Remember, becoming a BI analyst is more of a marathon than a sprint. There will be ups and downs, but that's all part of the journey. Stick with it, use the resources around you, and keep learning. Before you know it, you'll be turning data into insights like a pro.

Welcome to the world of business intelligence analysis! Get ready to see data in a whole new light. Who knows — the next big data-driven decision might just come from your analysis. How cool is that?

Good luck, and don't forget to enjoy the ride! If you want to connect and tell me how you’re doing, you can find me on LinkedIn here.