Foundations of Profession

Exploring the foundations of modern profession is undoubtedly an effective means of improving one's competency and status within their chosen career. Problem solving in any capacity always begins with 'breaking the problem into smaller pieces', and with each piece broken, each new task is incrementally more likely to be solved. Thus, the problem 'how to I become better at my profession' must be approached first by breaking down the profession into more accessible pieces.

I will Aim to explore my initial dive into this line of thought for my own profession of Data Analytics , and Will write an additional article down the line upon further exploration.

Fortunately, the role of a data analyst can quite simply be drilled down to its basics. Fundamentally, the pillars supporting the exhilarating profession are Maths/Logic, and Communication. Let's dive into how.

Mathematics/Logic - A pillar of many, if not all modern professions. In fact Maths is the pillar of the very universe we experience, "Maths is thought with precision". So of course, Data analytics is no exception, and in fact heavily reliant upon maths. I have joined Maths and Logic together as I believe they operate in much the same way, one cannot use mathematics without logic.
Data analytics of course involves descriptive statistics and analytics, predictive statistics, unending arithmetic and so on... furthermore it is entirely composed of logical decision making and interaction with computer software and raw data. Making effective, logical decisions with the many tools utilized by analysts is what drives the most effective outcome.

Communication - Of course, what use are insights derived from statistics without the ability to communicate those insights to decision makers. "What is a pen without ink". An analyst needs to be able to tell an effective story using layers of complex analysis rolled up into meaningful insights.
Communication is also essential to derive the requirements from the decision makers, asking the right questions will lead to the right outcome.

So... how can I improve these two foundational skills?

Improving maths/logic: To improve any skill, the most important component is practice, so to improve  my own mathematics, practice will be my main driver. Additionally focusing on understanding mathematical concepts will aid in making the practice the most effective. I will aim to utilise Khan academy as my primary tool, as it is free and contains a massive mathematics curriculum

Improving Communication: Improving communication skills is also all about practice! If I want to become a better communicator, then I need to start talking, listening, reading, and writing as much as possible. Understanding how to communicate effectively is key, so I'll focus on learning the different techniques and strategies that make communication work. And to make it easy and affordable, I'll be checking out resources like Toastmasters and Duolingo, which offer free tips, training, and support. With a little bit of effort and commitment, I know I can improve my communication skills and take my personal and professional life to the next level!