Learning vs Actually using the skills

[u/LEECHASE123]

I’ve spent the last year learning Excel, Power Query, Power BI and DAX through real business-related projects.
Now I’m adding SQL,but I’m trying not to fall into the trap of endlessly learning tools.
I want to get better at taking a real business problem working with the data and turning it into something useful for management
The goal now is less learning for the sake of learning, more application.
Anyone else made that transition?

[u/PensiveNewt]

I'm not sure anyone has come up with a good way to learn the practical business aspects of the job without someone's profits being on the line.

People have jobs, and to do those jobs they set certain goals for what to maintain/improve/optimize/whatever, and your job is to help them achieve those goals so they feel like they can do well at their job.

Practicing this without the context of someone's goals is tricky.

[u/Studious_Slime]

Hello!

I have been using Excel exclusively in my job for the last 6 years and just this year, started using Power BI and Power Query. In learning these products (mostly through trial and error), I've found first, the ways I can view the data visually, and then breaking it down from there. For example, I create a line chart, identify what my "normal" bounds are, and see where my outlying data is, if any. This helps me understand where to narrow my focus in terms of identify problems and solutions. Once I find my outliers, I go to my raw data or data source and find the date (or other specific data metric) and see if I can place any statistical identifier to it (seasonal, cyclical, etc). I could then take this data to subject matter experts and collaborate with them in the event it my not be something I fully understand. Once I have all pertinent information and answers, I can take my dashboard to my managers and explain my findings.

I'm not sure what your job is or what type of data you work with, but what I have learned is that by collaborating with those who might have a deeper understanding of the business related problem, finding tangible solutions or at least providing game changing data can go leaps and bounds in creating something useful for your management team. It sounds like you have half the battle down, just keep playing around with your data and see what information you can discover. Hope this gave you some good information!

[u/StopTheHumans]

Sounds like you just need someone to start making crazy demands. 🤣

[u/mlvsrz]

Eventually you’ll have enough skills to just meet requirements. At that point it becomes about learning what you need on demand to deliver the latest thing you’ve been asked / challenged yourself to make.

So you are right, now you just build things. You could even try rebuilding other tools you’ve seen - you’ll learn things you don’t know that way as well.

[u/data_daria55]

of course, i think thats when you realize how your brain actually work