Meet Abiola Ogunbajo, she is a shining example of how anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication. She started her data journey as a graduate tech trainee, and she has gone on to become a Microsoft Certified Data Analyst. Abiola’s story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it, and she is an inspiration to everyone who is looking to make a difference in the world.
What is the highlight of your Data Journey? You started out as a trainee in the Graduate Tech Trainee (GTT) Program and now you are Microsoft Certified.
The highlight of my data journey would be the training, getting to collaborate with team members on tasks. Meeting new people and networking with them. Also, emerging 1st place in the training and getting an internship role turned into a full-time position at Dataleum was a major one.
So in one word, describe your experience so far.
GROWTH! It has been all shades of continuous improvement.
Wow! So now you are a research Intern at Dataleum. I’m pretty sure you’ve headed some projects as a member of the RSI team. What is that one project you are super proud of, that you were a part of?
The project I’m most proud of is the Lagos state house rent analysis. It was my first project at Dataleum, and I got to work with team members from different departments. I was able to apply all I had learned during the GTTP, and I was able to hone my analytical skills, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. The project was also really successful, and it gained a lot of engagement on social media.
Can you share some highlights of the projects?
Sure! One highlight of the project was the Twitter space that we held with speakers from Liveable and Property Pro. It was a great opportunity to share our findings with a wider audience, and we got a lot of great feedback.
Another highlight was collaborating with different departments at Dataleum. It was really interesting to see how different teams approach data analysis, and I learned a lot from working with them. Finally, I was really proud of the insights we were able to generate from the analysis. We were able to identify some trends in the Lagos housing market that were not previously known.
What does a typical day at your job look like?
Well…
A typical workday for me involves conducting research, analyzing data, also presenting findings and recommendations from the analysis I come up with.
You can call me a Data superhero! LOL.
Most importantly, every day I also have to stay up to date with the latest trends, so I find myself reading articles on social media from different social media platforms like Twitter, and LinkedIn, name it all. Then also meetings with stakeholders, sharing insights and presentations with them as well.
I think that’s it for a typical day at my job.
It seems like you enjoy what you do!
I do! I love working with data, and I love being able to use data to solve problems. I’m also really passionate about using data to make a positive impact on the world.
You also recently got certified as a Microsoft-Certified Data Analyst, what are the benefits you now enjoy?
So one major benefit I now enjoy as a Microsoft-certified data analyst will be an increase in my professional credibility. I think that’s very, very important for a Data Analyst. After all, your input during decision-making carries a lot of weight because you’re certified and it shows that you know your onions.
Is there anything you’d have done differently regarding your journey as a Data Analyst?
I don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently regarding my journey as a data analyst. I have to mention that enrolling in Dataleum’s Graduate Tech Training Program has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I’m really happy with the way my journey has turned out. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve met some amazing people. I’m excited to see what the future holds. I don’t regret doing anything. If anything at all, I’ll follow these steps or this path, again and again, but with more tenacity.
If you had to switch roles with one person in the team, who would that be?
Ah, I don’t think I want to switch roles with anybody. But If I had to switch roles with one person in the team, I would switch with my team lead, Temitope Kareem. He’s an amazing data analyst, and he is also a great leader, and I would love to be able to lead a team like he does.
Bonus Question – Who is your favorite team member 😂?
So for the bonus question, I’m going to whisper. My favorite team member is Temitope Kareem (please do not let Nehita hear this). Temitope Kareem is uh, my team lead, he is the team lead of my department-Research Strategy and Implementation department.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is just starting out as a data analyst, what would it be?
I would tell them to be patient and persistent. Data analysis is a challenging field, but it’s also very rewarding. There will be times when you feel frustrated, but you just have to keep learning and keep practicing. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are a lot of great resources available, and there are always people who are willing to help you out.
