From Baking to Bytes: My Journey into Business Intelligence

by Amy Maldonado, Business Intelligence Analytics bootcamp student

I’ve spent most of my professional life in retail and hospitality. I had big dreams, at first, of owning my own bake shop. As I progressed in my career, I realized it was not actually what I wanted. I enjoyed being creative and training my peers in the field — not the mind-numbing motion of just setting up product on a tray without thought.

After the pandemic, my job as a bakery manager was no longer rewarding or enjoyable.

Customers no longer appreciated the value of the product, the workforce diminished, and my time spent with loved ones was nonexistent. Reflecting on my career, I realized that developing people brought me the most joy. I did not need to own a bakeshop for that. Moreover, my employer at the time offered no career prospects that aligned with my aspirations. So, I decided to pivot. I stepped down, sold my home in Florida, and relocated to western North Carolina. 

I was born in Puerto Rico; we have a variety of landscapes just a few hours away. I spent a lot of summers in the mountains, an experience I missed in Florida where there are no mountains. Western North Carolina has a beautiful mountainous landscape, and it is also only an hour away from my loved ones. Moving was an adjustment, especially because I had never experienced living in winter before. Once I finally settled, I bundled myself up in my warmest clothing and began the job search. It was grim. Most jobs I came across paid less than my previous job in Florida since the cost of living is cheaper. Additionally, many jobs required educational qualifications that I lacked. I needed a new career altogether.

I asked myself, “What else do I enjoy?” The answer: puzzles and problem-solving. My trusted friend, AI, recommended a career in tech. 

It had been over a decade since I attended college. I dreaded going back to educating myself because I worried that I did not have what it would take. I wanted to learn something that could complement my current skills, so I landed on data analysis. I read up on the current job market climate, cross checked various platforms and informed myself on the topic. I was not entirely sold until I came across TripleTen. TripleTen has a more specific analyst curriculum, business intelligence analytics, that enticed me. I have management experience, I’ve read the KPI reports, I’ve used the information given to me. How is that information retrieved? I scheduled the call and signed up instantly. I was eager to start my new journey with confidence. 

For a person who had only done in-person schooling, learning with TripleTen has been an adjustment. There have been a few hiccups, especially since my experience with business intelligence analysis had been theoretical. But, in my journey with TripleTen, I have appreciated the fact that the platform has a calendar as well as a recommended milestone tile. It has kept me on task and assisted me with time management. The projects are extremely immersive, which ensures I retain all the information discussed. The feedback I receive from my reviewer is concise, and after every Sprint, there is a suggestion questionnaire, which helps us voice our opinions or concerns about the program. 

So far, what I love the most about TripleTen is the Discord community: the tutors, the fellow students, alumni, and the success management team. When I reach a roadblock, I have an extensive support system I can ask for help. The in-depth information I’ve received on career success has also significantly improved my job search strategies. TripleTen has career coaching as part of the program, and I have taken advantage of every single opportunity to attend a meeting or a workshop or schedule a one-on-one when necessary.

The message is clear: TripleTen wants you to be successful. 

Networking has been the most challenging aspect for me. I recognize it as a shared experience and have reached out to my peers, making connections with those who feel the same way. But, understanding the importance of networking for my future career, I accepted the challenge of becoming an ambassador. It's a lot more mentally involved than running code, analyzing data, and building charts. Despite practicing hard skills with my peers on Discord and participating in community projects, networking remains the toughest part.

To quote Teddy Roosevelt, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort…” Reflecting on my journey, I wish I had known with more certainty the level of complexity I would encounter. However, I know I made the right decision when choosing this educational program.  TripleTen has offered more than what I read on any online review. They foster a strong sense of community and provide excellent support. They want their students to succeed and to make their time with the program well spent. I am building on the right skills to switch career paths and upon completion, I will be able to say with confidence I have what it takes to be a business intelligence analyst.