What's your job about?
My employer has been very hands on in my young career as it has provided me with responsibility by allocating projects and roles which are impactful on the business. My role revolves around analysing data and then representing that data through aesthetically appealing applications such as Tableau and Power BI. By representing specific data in this way, it allows the business to analyse trends, monitor systems and draw conclusions dependent on what is highlighted in the visualisation. Some personal tasks and projects which I have been fortunate enough to work on include monitoring a data warehouse by analysing data in conjunction with Tableau. This project allowed the business to analyse space consumption levels within the data warehouse by purging data not being utilised and monitoring the traffic on the system by analysing CPU usage.
Through my role, I have the opportunity to liaise with stakeholders and leaders from across the business. Optus provides a great platform to learn from experienced colleagues who are always willing to assist you in your growth and this is part of the incredible work culture at Optus. You can easily catch up with someone for lunch throughout the week around the amazing Optus campus… or you can shoot some hoops on the basketball court or play pool.
What's your background?
I grew up in Glenhaven and went to high school at Marian College Kenthurst. After school, I studied at Macquarie University which – aside from my degree – offered me a lot of amazing opportunities to get involved. I was a part of societies throughout uni, which shaped my understanding of teamwork and how to bring individual ideas together to come up with a cohesive solution. Throughout this period, I was lucky enough to travel abroad and explore certain countries such as Europe, America, and New Zealand. The experiences overseas were invaluable as I was able to immerse myself within different cultures and understand the importance of diversity and how the very best work cultures are derived from embracing the diversity of their employees.
My growth as an individual was also shaped by some of the previous jobs and roles that I was lucky enough to work in. I worked in the hospitality industry for four years as a waiter and manager. This allowed me the opportunity to meet different customers. I also attribute this experience to enhancing my understanding of how to interact with individuals on a personal level. I also spent time at a law firm and as a data analyst for a local company, where I worked with key stakeholders and identified the importance of networking. Everything I learned in my formative years contributed to where I am now and helped me seamlessly transition into the role.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
It is definitely possible for someone with a different background to perform the same job as me. I came into IT with a unique background in criminology… probably not something that would normally be classified as a required degree to transition into an IT role. A distinguishable desire for IT and to always be willing to adapt, learn and grow your skillset within the industry is important when it comes to a job in IT such as data analytics. At the end of the day, you need to be open-minded to an industry that is constantly evolving and keep your finger on the pulse regarding latest trends and new applications or tools.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
What I love most about my job is knowing that I am making a difference in the company even though I have only just started. I work with key stakeholders in different sectors of the business and can analyse and build data visualisations to assist them in identifying key targets and KPIs. I also relish the fact that I get to learn and utilise new, innovative applications such as PowerApps, Tableau, and Power BI, so I am constantly evolving my skills and knowledge in data platforms and data management.
What are the limitations of your job?
Some limitations that I have encountered may be unique in terms of starting my new role in conjunction with COVID-19 restrictions and working from home. It was difficult in the early stages of the role to have tasks and projects that would keep me occupied for a sufficient amount of time. I was hoping to bear a little more responsibility from early in the grad role, but this did happen after a couple of months. There are limitations to meeting new people and networking, however, this is more due to the current climate with the pandemic than it is a reflection of the job.
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