What's in a name?

A Day in my Life

In my 9 to 5 life as a research and planning analyst with Red River College, I spend a whole lot of time staring at data. For those who work with numbers or have spent time studying box scores, stock market pages, or even bank statements - you know how easy it is to get lost in them. Sometimes they make sense, but often data can be overwhelming. Much like being in a forest, when all you can see are trees, trees, and more trees.

Forests of data

“Forests of data” are typically made up of many experiences, often from many people. And ultimately, the data can tell you something about what happened and what someone thinks, but they are both more and less than the sum of their parts. You might get a better sense of the big picture, trends, or commonalities among many different people. Yet, you can often lose the individual and lose the unique experiences in the process.

Making sense of it all

If you've ever spent time in a forest, walking down trails or clearing your own, you know that over time you begin to be able to differentiate between the forest, the trees, and all the other interesting things that are right before your eyes, but seldom seen. Sometimes it's a mushroom living on the side of a rotting stump, or perhaps a bird's nest sitting in a branch, or maybe a wild plum. I wouldn't say that the life of a data analyst is quite that romantic, but there are many similarities when it comes to making sense of the unity and the diversity of experiences, reflected in the “numbers”.

This blog...

While there will likely be some side-trips along the way, this blog will largely focus on some tips, tricks, and tools that are needed in this profession. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know a few things that work for me, and I'm interested in sharing those and learning from others in the process.