Data & You ft Splendor

Hello, Techie! I hope you’re enjoying our Data & You series. This is going to be an incredible read. If you’re on Twitter, you’ve probably seen Splendor’s name crop up in your feed. He is a talented Data bender whose dashboards will wow you. Let’s get this conversation started right away.

Let’s talk about the giant in the room, data. Data has a different meaning to every data bender and here’s what data is to Splendor:

“Data is the lifeblood of businesses and institutions. It’s the raw material that holds insights and knowledge. It can be numbers, facts, or even qualitative observations that, when properly analyzed, provide valuable insights and help in decision-making.”

Now that’s an interesting view. Data to him is a source of life. One can’t help but wonder how Splendor found data. Or did Data find him?

“I guess my curiosity and introspective nature drew me deep into the world of data. I’ve always felt like a detective anything I think of myself and data. But through working on jobs, internships, and personal projects, I gained hands-on experience working with data, learning how to clean it, analyze it, and draw meaningful conclusions from it.”

Splendor is a wonderful person. A nice tidbit is that I watched his Twitter account develop from 300 to over 7000 followers. His development has been incredible, and I’m sure you’re wondering how his journey has gone. Here’s what he has to say about it:

“My journey in data has been exciting and challenging. It has been a continuous learning process as I’ve had to keep up with new technologies, techniques, and best practices. I’ve encountered complex datasets and faced obstacles along the way, but each challenge has been an opportunity to grow and deepen my understanding of the field.”

Now, let’s grab the opportunity of asking Splendor for resources he recommends for newbies. And he recommends:

“For newbies, I highly recommend online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy. They offer courses on various data-related topics, from introductory statistics to advanced machine learning. Additionally, participating in Kaggle competitions and joining data science communities like DataCamp or Towards Data Science can provide valuable learning and networking opportunities.”

It will also amaze you to know that Splendor has an amazing Data community and we want to know what inspired him to build it. He said this:

“I believe in the power of collaboration and sharing knowledge. Building a community allows individuals to come together, learn from one another, and support each other’s growth. It fosters an environment where we can collectively tackle challenges, discuss ideas, and inspire each other to reach new heights in the world of data.”

A community is crucial to one’s growth. Or is it? Let’s what from Splendor.

“A community is crucial to one’s growth in the data field. It provides a platform for networking, mentorship, and collaborative learning. Through a community, you can connect with experts, gain insights from real-world experiences, and stay updated with the latest trends. It also offers a supportive environment where you can seek advice, share your accomplishments, and find inspiration for your own professional journey.”

Now, I’m sure you might be interested in joining his community. So, let’s find out how to snag a spot.

“I only have a Twitter following and medium following for now. Anyone passionate about data and eager to learn and contribute can join our community. We welcome students, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. I also have a community on WhatsApp for all my past students :)”

We’ll be diving into a dicey topic now. Social resume or data portfolio? Let’s see His choice.

“Both a data portfolio and a social resume hold their own significance. A data portfolio showcases your practical skills, demonstrating your ability to work with real-world data and solve problems. It provides concrete evidence of your expertise. On the other hand, a social resume, which includes your professional network, recommendations, and online presence, reflects your ability to collaborate, communicate, and engage with others. Both aspects together paint a comprehensive picture of your capabilities.”

Is branding also necessary as a Data bender? Or it isn’t necessary?

“Branding and content creation can be highly beneficial in the world of data. Building a personal brand allows you to establish yourself as an expert and differentiate yourself from others. It helps create visibility and recognition in the field. Content creation, such as blogging, writing articles, or sharing insights on social media, allows you to showcase your knowledge, contribute to the community, and establish yourself as a thought leader. It can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and connections.”

Now, we all want to know Splendor’s tips for us to land a job as a newbie and he gave us these treats:

“• Focus on building a strong foundation in essential skills like programming (Python, R, SQL), statistics, and data manipulation.

• Gain skills in Excel, Visualization tools.

• Gain practical experience through personal projects or internships to demonstrate your abilities.

• Showcase your work through a well-organized data portfolio that highlights your projects and analyses.

• Network with professionals in the field through events, meetups, and online platforms. Seek mentorship and guidance.

• Stay updated with the latest industry trends, tools, and techniques through blogs, newsletters, and online courses.

• Practice problem-solving and data analysis skills through coding challenges and Kaggle competitions.

• Be prepared for interviews by practicing technical questions, emphasizing your problem-solving approach, and showcasing your passion for data.”

In one word Splendor will describe his journey as “enlightening”. He also wants you to know this:

“Embrace your curiosity and passion for data. The field of data offers limitless opportunities for exploration, innovation, and impact. Remember that learning is a continuous journey, so stay curious and keep honing your skills. Seek out mentorship, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the data community. With dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn, you can thrive in the world of data and make a meaningful difference. Best of luck on your data-bending journey!”

You can connect with Splendor via his socials: Twitter, Medium, Website, and LinkedIn

I hope you enjoyed this chit-chat with Splendor as much as I did. Till then, catch you in my next read!