Workforce automation and the elimination of thousands of jobs has increased the need for the IT industry and large enterprises to focus on finding data-literate employees and data scientists who are ready to “hit the ground running.” Colaberry has graduated 800+ alumni since its program inception, but we know there are many more who need these integral skills to survive the transition to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Today, we sit down with Maggie Wachira, a Colaberry alum and current Qlik Sense Developer, to discuss her experience both during and beyond Colaberry’s Data Analytics Training program.Interesting Data Points:
Company: Fortune 100 Telecommunications Company
Title/Current Position: Qlik Sense Developer
Increase in Salary Upon Completion of Program: 240%
Alum Interview Responses:
Colaberry: How did you hear about Colaberry?
Maggie: I heard about Colaberry from a family friend.
Colaberry: What do you think people should know about you?
Maggie: I absolutely love my current job, and it’s all thanks to Colaberry.
Colaberry: Was any family member(s) or support system instrumental in helping you reach your current level of success?
Maggie: My mom — she pushed me into doing the course and paid for it herself. My dad was always supportive through my entire journey at Colaberry. And my brother — we worked on this course together and helped each other along the way.
Click Here To Join Our Upcoming Class
Colaberry: Where did you grow up? Are you a member of any underrepresented classes in the tech world?
Maggie: I was born and raised in Kenya. I moved to the States when I was 14 years old.
Colaberry: Why did you decide to enroll in Colaberry School of Data Analytics?
Maggie: I was going to go to pharmacy school, and I didn’t want to end up with loans. When I learned about Colaberry from that family friend, he convinced me that Colaberry could be the way to make my way through pharmacy school with no debt. Along the way, I liked the course and changed my mind about going into pharmacy.
Colaberry: What challenges or circumstances did you have to overcome to be successful (if any) and how did Colaberry assist you through them?
Maggie: The course itself is challenging! I had to pull all-nighters sometimes to get the work done. When I began the class, I felt like I was learning a completely different language. I had to rely heavily on my team and my mentor Kodjovi to get through the class.
Colaberry: Did you have a data analytics/data science background or any associated skills prior to joining Colaberry?
Maggie: None whatsoever. The only class I had taken before was a computer class back in Kenya when I was 5. For that whole year, all we did in class was play MARIO.
Click Here To Join Our Upcoming Class
Colaberry: What training courses did you complete through Colaberry?
Maggie: Data Analytics: SQL BI and Colaberry QlikView
Colaberry: How did you benefit most from Colaberry’s training?
Maggie:
No student loans to stress about.
A job I absolutely love.
More money than I would have made on my first job in any field I would have chosen to pursue.
Colaberry: Do you have any fond memories from your training experience that you’d like to share?
Maggie: The connections with my mentors, classmates and friendships I made during the internship. I got to work closely with a bunch of amazing people who I still keep in touch with. I loved the fact that we were assigned a mentor throughout the training. The fun Qlik class we had on Wednesday night was both very helpful and chill at the same time. Alex had this great ability to make the class fun.
The benefits of the mentors that I really enjoyed were:
Colaberry: Comparing your current salary to your previous position's, do you feel that Colaberry helped you reach your goals? In what way has this improve your life?
Maggie: Colaberry has helped me attain half of my goal. They afforded me the chance to come out here and land a job that can financially support me. When I do go back to school for my bachelor’s and eventually master's, I can pay my way without having to worry about loans.
Colaberry: Did you learn any soft skills (e.g. Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Self-Efficacy, etc.) through Colaberry?
Maggie: YES, I did. While making the video for the class, I had to learn how to present myself in a manner that showed confidence in myself and in the knowledge of the material I was presenting.
One of the amazing benefits of the Refactored.ai platform is that it has real-time video and audio recording and analysis capabilities. The platform analyzes specific delivery of soft skills and determines where a student can improve in a specific area.
I use this platform to this day when preparing for interviews, before I present during a meeting, or just to analyze my eye contact and facial expressions when I want to prepare for an important discussion or phone call with my team.
Some of the soft skills I perfected with the Refactored platform were:
Colaberry: How did these skills help you in the workplace or get a job?
Maggie: These skills helped a lot when I was interviewing for positions. I am a naturally shy person, but through this course I was able to mask my nervousness while interviewing. I was able to talk fluently and present myself in a manner that I would have not been capable of before I started Colaberry.
Colaberry: Would you recommend Colaberry to others? If yes, why?
Maggie: I would recommend it to people, and I have. Colaberry changed my life for the better and I want others to have the same opportunity.
Colaberry: Would you ever consider returning to Colaberry to take more classes?
Maggie: Yes, I would. I am thinking of taking one next year.
Colaberry: What do you find most enjoyable about your current position?
Maggie: There haven’t been any surprises yet. I have been able to do the work I am given because I was taught well. In fact, Colaberry was more challenging than what they have me doing right now.
Colaberry: Do you have any final thoughts or advice to current and future students at Colaberry?
Maggie:
Don’t give up. I almost did, and I now realize that it would have been the worst mistake I would have ever made.
Colaberry changes your life and provides you with all the necessary skills to excel out here.
You are set up for success from the moment you walk in the door, and as long as you follow the strategy that they have in place, you are guaranteed success.
Click Here To Join Our Upcoming Class
Want to read more Alumni Success Stories? Click on an image below to learn more...
Colaberry Data Science Training Is The Answer!
Our Program
Colaberry has been providing one-of-a-kind, career-oriented training in data analytics and data science since 2012. We offer instructor-led onsite and online classes. Learn with us in person on our campus in Plano, Texas or remotely from the comfort of your home. We have helped over 5,000 people to transform their lives with our immersive bootcamp-style programs.
In-Demand Skills
Colaberry training programs equip you with in-demand tech and human skills. Our up-to-date lessons and carefully crafted curriculum set you up for success from day one. Throughout the training and the job search, our mentors will support and guide you as you transition into a fast-paced and exciting field of data analytics and data science.
Project-Based Learning
Our programs integrate projects that are based on real-world scenarios to help you master a new concept, tool or skill. We work with you to build your portfolio to showcase your skills and achievements.
Award Winning Learning Platform
You will be learning using our homegrown technology platform Refactored AI that is recognized as “Most Promising Work of the Future Solution” in a global competition by MIT SOLVE. Our platform also received General Motors “Advanced Technology” prize and McGovern Foundation’s “Artificial Intelligence for Betterment of Humanity” prize.
Placement Assistance
Colaberry’s program, platform and ecosystem empowers you with skills that you need to succeed in your job interviews and transition into a high paying careers. Over 1/3rdof Colaberry graduates receive job offers after their first in-person interview. We provide you continuous mentoring and guidance until you land your job; and provide you post placement support for twelve months so that you not only survive but thrive in your career. .
Financial Aid
At Colaberry, we strive to create opportunities for all. We work with each individual to ensure the cost of the training does not hold them back from becoming future-ready. We offer various payment plans, payment options and scholarships to work with the financial circumstances of our learners.
Military Scholarship
Colaberry is committed to supporting men and women who have served our country in uniform. As part of this commitment, we offer Military Scholarships to enable active-duty and retired military members to transition into civilian life. We have already helped numerous veterans by creating a pathway to rewarding and exciting careers in data science and data analytics. We hold alumni events, and provide an extensive support system and a strong community of veterans to help our students succeed. Contact our enrollment team to find out more about how we can help you.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Current salary data for Information Technology and Data Science positions can be found at: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes150000.htm