Crafting a Data-Focused Career from Diverse Experiences

Navigating career transitions is never simple, but my journey has been one filled with diverse experiences that have strengthened my skill set and shaped my professional identity. Starting in youth leadership and marketing, and now transitioning into data science and analysis, I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge that spans multiple disciplines. Through it all, I’ve learned that the key to growth is continuously adapting, learning, and applying skills in new and impactful ways.

Leading Teams to Leading Insights

During my time at AIESEC in Belgium, I had the privilege of serving in two major roles over the course of two years. I started as the Director of Marketing and Communications, where I led a team of 11 people to develop and execute national marketing strategies. This role allowed me to hone my skills in market research, public relations, and campaign management. Working closely with HR, I identified organizational skills gaps, led recruitment campaigns, and worked on improving the brand’s visibility through partnerships, website management, and B2C marketing.

After a year in marketing, I transitioned into the role of Country Manager. Here, I was responsible for the strategic and administrative management of the national office and 11 local offices, coaching a team of managers and managing over 300 members. I also handled stakeholder relations and budget management for the organization. These leadership roles helped me develop a strong strategic mindset, along with the ability to interpret data to make informed decisions—a foundation I continue to build on in my current career.

Identifying Growth Opportunities in tough times

Like many people, I’ve had periods in my career where I faced challenges beyond my control. Due to residence permit issues, I found myself unable to work in my field for some time. However, rather than view this as a setback, I saw it as an opportunity for growth. During this period, I pursued academic studies, working on my MBA in Leadership and Change Management at KU Leuven (2018-2022) and a Master of Arts in African Studies at Ghent University (2019-2021). These programs provided me with in-depth knowledge of organizational learning, leadership, and business processes, as well as a multidisciplinary understanding of history, social studies, and linguistics.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I took on jobs at supermarkets, working as a cashier and stocking shelves, which helped me maintain resilience and adaptability. While these roles were outside my core field, they provided essential soft skills such as attention to detail, problem-solving, and customer service. During this time, I also continued to build websites and work with databases, maintaining my technical skills and laying the groundwork for a seamless transition into data science and analysis.

Learning & Onboarding Officer at Deloitte

During this phase, I also worked as a Learning & Onboarding Officer at Deloitte, where I was responsible for analyzing learning and development data to provide insights to management across the Western Europe office. My role involved not only data analytics but also the design of a learning curriculum and the management of the Learning Management System (Totara LMS). These responsibilities strengthened my ability to interpret data in a strategic context, ensuring that key metrics were tracked to optimize employee development and onboarding processes.

Managing these processes equipped me with a data-driven approach to performance and learning, further cementing my transition into the world of data analytics.

Entering the World of Data Science and Analysis

By the time I joined BeCode’s Data Science Program in 2024, I had already developed a solid understanding of data analysis. My decision to join BeCode was driven by a desire to expand my skill set into areas like Python, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP). The traineeship provided hands-on experience with real-world projects, and it gave me the chance to apply my technical skills in data science to solve complex problems.

Some of the key projects I worked on include:

• Real-Estate Price Prediction: I developed a price prediction model using data scraped from Immoweb, applying machine learning algorithms and Python to generate property price estimates.

• Brewery Market Analysis: In partnership with Accenture, I conducted market share analysis using Tableau and Python, highlighting shifts and trends in the industry.

• Subscription Plan Recommender: Working with Orange, I built an ML model to recommend subscription plans based on user preferences, optimizing the user experience.

These projects allowed me to not only learn but also apply data-driven strategies to real business challenges.

Blending Marketing and Sales with Data

What makes my journey unique is how I’ve been able to blend my past marketing and sales experiences with my newfound expertise in data. My time in sales taught me the importance of understanding market trends and customer needs, skills that I continue to use when analyzing data for insights. For instance, in sales, I conducted competitor analysis and engaged directly with clients to better understand the market landscape. Now, as a data professional, I use those same analytical skills to drive decision-making.

Data Science and Data Analysis: A Balanced Approach

Today, I’m applying for both data analyst and data science roles, and my experiences have prepared me to excel in both fields. My strength lies in being able to not only analyze data but also communicate insights effectively to different stakeholders. This is where my marketing and leadership experience really come into play—knowing how to make data meaningful and actionable for various audiences.

From a technical perspective, I’ve built expertise in tools like:

• Python for data manipulation and analysis

• Pandas and SQL for working with large datasets

• Tableau and Power BI for data visualization

• Scikit-Learn for machine learning models

My skills in these tools complement my strategic mindset, enabling me to translate complex data into insights that help businesses grow.

Looking Ahead

As I continue applying for roles, I’m excited to leverage my diverse experiences—whether as a country manager, marketing director, or a data professional—to drive impact in the organizations I join. I’m passionate about using data to inform strategic decisions, build KPI dashboards, and improve performance in meaningful ways.

I’m confident that my combination of analytical skills, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of business will enable me to contribute to any team. Whether in data analysis or data science, I’m ready to make an impact.