The Clearly Podcast

So You Wanna be a BI Consultant? (2024 Edition)

Summary

Welcome to the Clearly Podcast. The podcast is taking a break for a few weeks due to another project, and upon return, there will be exciting news. Today's discussion revisits what it takes to be a Power BI consultant, focusing on the necessary skills and qualities.

Experience with Power BI is valuable, but not mandatory for juniors. Key qualities include consulting skills, analytics, business experience, understanding data, and articulating it clearly. Being able to work with senior people to address business processes is also essential.

For those fresh out of college or university, it's important to have a grasp of business fundamentals and good Q&A skills. Graduates often have skills in algorithms and data science. Conversing with business users to understand their challenges and developing solutions is crucial.

The role of a Power BI consultant now often includes elements of data engineering, data warehousing, or machine learning. It’s important to have a broader knowledge of the data landscape. Employers should seek a mix of skills rather than expertise in every area.

For someone starting, understanding data engineering and data modeling is key. Learning to build models that others can use and gaining experience in visualizing data is important. Download Power BI, use public datasets, and practice.

Knowing how to find information about connectors for other applications is crucial. Being able to get back to clients with accurate information is essential.

During interviews, honesty about skills is important. People often claim more experience than they have. Private projects show initiative and learning and should not be dismissed.

There is high demand for roles, especially for those who understand the entire Microsoft stack. Consultants should keep their knowledge up to date through communities, podcasts, and continual learning.

For aspiring consultants, working on side projects and learning new skills is beneficial. Employers appreciate self-starters who take initiative.

The podcast will return with exciting news after the break. Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more insights.

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Transcript

Andy: Welcome to the Clearly Podcast. I'm Andy Clark.

Shailan: And I'm Shailan Chudasama.

Tom: And I'm Tom Gough.

Andy: Let's get this podcast going. We're taking a break for a few weeks for another project. When we come back, we'll have exciting news. Today, we’re revisiting our podcast "So You Want to Be a Power BI Consultant?" to discuss what it takes to work in our sector, focusing on the skills and qualities needed for a BI consultant.

Shailan: Experience with Power BI is great, but if you’re a junior, that’s fine too. We’re looking for consulting skills, analytics, and business experience. Key qualities include understanding data, articulating it clearly, and working with senior people to address business processes.

Andy: So, for someone fresh out of college or university, what does that mean?

Shailan: At university fairs, we find students often have skills in algorithms and data science. We want people who can converse with business users, understand their challenges, and develop solutions. Graduates should have a grasp of business fundamentals and good Q&A skills.

Tom: The days of pure Power BI roles are fading. Now, roles often include elements of data engineering, data warehousing, or machine learning. It's essential to have a broader knowledge of the data landscape. Employers should look for a mix of skills rather than expertise in every area.

Andy: Are we looking for Power BI plus other skills?

Tom: Yes, it’s more about combining skills. For example, a Power BI consultant should know some data engineering, and vice versa. It’s about having a mix of expertise in a team.

Andy: For someone starting, where should they begin?

Shailan: Universities don’t often teach Power BI, so start by understanding data engineering and data modeling. Learn to build models that others can use. Experience in visualizing data is important too. Download Power BI, use public datasets, and practice.

Andy: How do you find connectors for other applications?

Shailan: Knowing how to find information is crucial. You might not know every connector, but you should be able to find out and get back to the client with an answer.

Andy: Tom, why are you turning people down during interviews?

Tom: People often claim more experience than they have. Be honest about your skills. Don’t dismiss private projects; they show initiative and learning.

Shailan: There’s high demand for roles, especially for those who understand the entire Microsoft stack. Consultants should keep their knowledge up to date through communities, podcasts, and continual learning.

Tom: For aspiring consultants, work on side projects and learn new skills. Employers appreciate self-starters who take initiative.

Andy: We’ll be back with exciting news after our break. Thanks for listening, and stay tuned for more insights.

Shailan and Tom: Thank you and goodbye!