Introduction
I’m Annika, 25 years old, and currently I am a junior data consultant after completing my data traineeship at Devoteam. After working in a family business in New Zealand for a few years, I realized I wanted to explore different options for my career and decided to study for a Masters in Supply Chain Management in Rotterdam. This was my introduction to the data-driven world we live in today and the importance of it. After completing my studies, I wasn’t too sure which direction I wanted to go in. I really like working in different industries and with different people. Devoteam offered both aspects and I went ahead with the Data Future track to become a data consultant. Devoteam allowed me to learn, explore, and discover what IT has to offer.
What is your role at Devoteam?
After completing my Data Future Track, I now work as a data consultant for the Microsoft unit at Devoteam. I’ve just started at my first client, Philips, where I am able to work in a small team with Devoteam colleagues. This amazing opportunity is allowing me to continue to learn and see what Devoteam offers to customers as well as develop individually.
The first months at Devoteam – what was your experience?
My first few months were exciting and challenging. I was introduced to many different IT elements such as Azure, Phyton, SQL, Databricks, ADF and many more. I found it very interesting to see how different, yet interactive and similar, the different tools are and what they can do. After completing the pre-masters, I was able to dive into the data track by extracting, loading and transforming data. Questioning myself if I understood all concepts and if my methods met the industry ‘best practises’ standards.
Devoteam has a great concept where every trainee gets assigned a wingman who has a lot of experience. I’ve been very fortunate with my wingman guiding me on the right path and helping me understand complicated concepts when it was needed. The data traineeship is designed to challenge you, to see what goes wrong and how you can solve it. This is a skill I’ve definitely learned and will be very useful in everyday life. The breakthrough moment was at the end of the traineeship, when all the pieces came together allowing me to see the bigger picture of the data track.
What are you doing now at Devoteam?
I am involved in a few very cool projects. As explained before, I now work at my first client. Besides, I work on different offerings within our Microsoft unit, where I am able to apply the theory from the traineeship into practice. I enjoy this as it brings variety in the workday and new learning experiences. Furthermore, I can work with different colleagues and see how their strengths improve our unit.
What is the achievement at Devoteam that you are most proud of?
At the beginning of my traineeship, I sometimes wondered if I would understand all the concepts and be able to work with it, with no prior IT background. When I finally had my end-project, I realized how much I had learned and accomplished within the past few months. This was quite rewarding.
What are the most important skills you need for your position?
Apart from understanding IT elements, it’s important to develop your soft skills too. This is used during consultancy moments with customers and it’s important to know why and how certain tasks are done. Additionally, it’s okay to ask for help when you aren’t certain about something.
Familiarize yourself with the most common used tools, such as Azure and Databricks. As time continues, other technologies enter the market and you’ll be exposed to it, and be given the opportunity to explore it further. A little bit of advice, if you enjoy one tool more than another, that’s okay, specialize in it because you will be better in using it.
When you’re not busy with work, what are you doing in your free time?
I enjoy going for bike rides, walks, and taking our dog out. I love to cook and of course enjoy the food. I like playing board games, watching movies and hanging out with friends with a good glass of wine. Overall, I like to make the most out of my days!
Conclusion
Devoteam has offered me the opportunities to enter the IT industry with a well made, thought-out traineeship track. I am amazed at what I have learned and accomplished in this period and I am excited to see what the future offers. If you’re unsure whether or not to take the leap of faith, I’d say there’s only one way of finding out if you like it or not. I am happy that I had the leap of faith and I really enjoy the team I’m in and the opportunity I get to learn.