From Barista to Junior Data Consultant, this inspiring story showcases how a Skills Bootcamp in Data Analytics with The Curious Academy can transform careers in 16 weeks*.
Before enrolling on the Data Analytics Skills Bootcamp, Jacob Chappell had worked in hospitality roles. With an interest in data, Jacob saw the Bootcamp as an opportunity to undergo in-person training that could lead to a successful career move.
Through a blend of in-person training, practical projects, and dedicated support, our graduate leveraged their natural interest in pattern recognition and problem-solving to break into the growing field of data analytics.
Having connected with potential employers through the Bootcamp, Jacob secured a role as a Junior Data Consultant with ROLABOTIC, an innovation, digital and automation management consultancy. His journey demonstrates how an industry-focused curriculum, combining technical expertise with essential business skills, prepares students for real-world success – whether they’re career changers or looking to upskill in the digital economy.
What made you choose Skills Bootcamps?
I was considering changing careers and one of the things I was looking at was going into data because it is something I had an interest in. I like pattern recognition and problem solving which data is a part of. I’ve also always wanted to go into a role involving strategy and knew that becoming data literate would help.
A lot of people are moving into data analytics so I believed that completing the Skills Bootcamp would open up more opportunities and help me to enhance my CV. I chose this Skills Bootcamp as it was in-person. You could potentially look online to gain some of the skills on your own but the structure of the course, the level of support and opportunities for collaboration means that if you have a question that you need a bespoke solution to, you have someone you can go and talk to, whether it’s Matt or someone else on the course.
How did you first hear about the Skills Bootcamp opportunity?
While searching for jobs, I discovered the Curious Lounge website and learned about their Data Analytics Skills Bootcamp. I initially joined as a barista at their café, which gave me the opportunity to learn more about the course. Through this connection, Louize provided me with the registration link for the program.
What were the highlights of the Skills Bootcamp in Data Analytics?
The highlight for me was actually working with other people on problems. There were a lot of practical aspects to the course, rather than it being purely theoretical through lectures. Completing data analysis work on mock projects really motivated me to commit to the course and sparked my interest to continue my learning outside of the sessions.
What specific skills did you gain/ have been the most valuable to you?
Most valuable were the skills I learned in data literacy and understanding of visual communication. We spent a lot of time doing dashboards and a big component of that is how to communicate an idea the simplest way that is going to work for the greatest number of people. I’ve learned how to break down ideas to tell a story simply yet powerfully with graphs and colour-coding rather than three pages of writing.
The Curious Academy introduced me to the training platform (DataCamp) before I started the course so I was already using that software in preparation for the course before being shown Sequel/SQL. As part of the course you get access to DataCamp for free, which is so useful to explore independently to supplement your learning. We were also given opportunities to touch on more advanced programmes like Python.
How has the Skills Bootcamp impacted your career trajectory?
The Skills Bootcamp connected me with potential employers and enabled me to get a job with ROLABOTIC as a Junior Data Consultant. I came into my new role equipped with valuable data knowledge from the course which i’m now combining with business language and client management skills to help people with their data needs.
I’ve recently put together a dashboard – without the course knowledge I probably would have made it really over complicated and put loads of bells and whistles on it but having actually learned what’s important, I end up with a compact dashboard of information people actually need. The bootcamp also developed the soft skills employers were looking for outside of the technical experience including team work, meeting deadlines, and communication.
What would you say to someone considering a Skills Bootcamp?
Do it! Just make sure you’re genuinely interested in the course content and can set aside the time for additional learning. Turning up for the classes is important, but there’s so much more to it. What really makes this Skills Bootcamp valuable is all the extra support from (tutor) Matt and the supplementary resources you have access to.
To read more about what the The Curious Academy do Click Here.
*Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.
