Meet Caitlin Lemon!
Caitlin came into the SQL Immersive in February 2024 with a clear goal to not only learn SQL as a tool but also to develop a project portfolio that would showcase her skills. And wow did she achieve her goals!
Caitlin dove into the Immersive learning program with passion and enthusiasm. In addition to her focus on learning the technical aspects of SQL, she challenged herself by being purposeful in applying the steps laid out in the data analyst workflow.
She sought out additional opportunities to practice with various data sets, and leveraged her existing domain knowledge in marketing to find a project that really highlighted her capabilities.
You're going to want to hear more about Caitlin’s experience in the SQL Immersive directly from her:
What type of data tools were you using or familiar with coming into the Immersive?
I came from a non-technical background in content and had minimal exposure to SQL before the immersive.
How did you first discover Maven Analytics, and what made you excited to learn more?
I discovered Maven after speaking to some data science and analytics professionals in various tech groups for women. I’d been frustrated because I wasn’t getting as much hands-on experience applying concepts in other courses.
They suggested I try Maven. I really liked how the course went beyond just teaching syntax, but the “why” behind a concept. I also liked the project-based courses that simulated how you’d use data in the real world. I’m someone who learns best by doing, so it was perfect for me.
What were your personal goals coming into the Immersive program?
I wanted to gain more knowledge of SQL, create 3 portfolio projects (specific, I know), and eventually land a data job.
What’s your overall impression of the Immersive program? What do you think sets the Maven Analytics Immersive experience apart from others?
I really enjoyed the immersive program. I had lots of questions about SQL, data analysis workflows, data careers, and the instructors were very responsive.
A lot of previous courses barely touched SQL so I didn’t feel comfortable with it. Or there was no one to ask if I had a question about a topic. Maven explains concepts and has you apply them. And if you have questions about something, someone is able to clarify (previously with other courses I had to scour the internet).
Do you feel being part of the cohort experience helped you stay on track with your learning goals? How so?
Yes, I was actually interviewing for jobs before I even finished the program. I still need to finish some of the last few lessons….because I was interviewing before I finished the program (oops).
I liked the structure and cohort members. Also, did I mention I ask a lot of questions? I had so many questions and somehow Maven answered them all.
Were there any meaningful or memorable aspects of the live sessions that you can share?
I actually appreciated a discussion I had with one of the Cohort leaders to help me find a relevant dataset for marketing. I was trying to pivot to marketing analytics, and wanted to create a project in that specific area.
What benefit do you think having the opportunity to do project work added to your Immersive experience?
A lot of online courses have one or two exercises and that’s it. I liked having projects that simulated what you would do in an actual job. It helped reinforce concepts and build my portfolio--which I used in my interview.
If you could give just one piece of advice to folks who are considering the Immersive program, what would you tell them?
Do it! The collaboration, discussions, and live lessons really add to the learning experience in a way that blogs or YouTube just can’t. From project reviews to job search tips, it was really worthwhile.
What advice would you give others looking to launch a data career or make a transition into data?
Don’t discount your experience or your potential to succeed, even if you come from a very different professional background. Use your background to your advantage in your transition.
Is there anything else you would like to tell people about your cohort experience that was important to you?
It’s very approachable for all levels and for people of all backgrounds. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to build their data skills.
Would you recommend Maven Analytics to other aspiring data professionals?
Yes!
If you’re interested in exploring Caitlin’s work, you can check out her portfolio here, and you can learn more about our Cohort Learning Immersives (and sign up for future cohorts!) here.
