My CFGdegree Experience: Anu Panday, Data Science Stream
Get to know Anu's journey to the CFGdegree!
Anu Panday is not only a Junior Data Analyst on the CFG team, but also a CFGdegree Data Stream graduate! She’s been part of the Code First Girls ecosystem for a few years now and we are very excited to share her journey into data!
Please introduce yourself and what your current role is
I’m Anu and I’m a Junior Data Analyst at CFG. I’ve worked at CFG since 2021. Before becoming a data analyst, I worked as a Senior Programmes Coordinator in the Advanced Programmes Team at CFG, where I helped manage our CFGdegree and the +Masters programmes.
Fast forward to now, as a Junior Data Analyst at CFG, I report mostly on our Classes, MOOCs, the CFGdegree and our newest program, the MLA. I’m responsible for creating our client impact reports and also get the pleasure of designing and creating many dashboards on Tableau to showcase how well our programmes are doing to our team internally.
What got you interested in tech?
I’ve always been interested in tech. My dad suggested I should do a degree in computer science because my family would always approach me for tech stuff, saying, “Anu will know what to do!” When you’re a teen, you don’t really listen to your parents, so I ended up doing a psychology degree in Portsmouth. After graduating, I wanted to become a clinical psychologist but found breaking into the field difficult and competitive.
I worked at Heathrow Airport and did voluntary work at a school for students with disabilities as a support assistant for six months. I then worked as an ABA tutor, managing behaviour in kids with autism, but it was too stressful and affected me mentally. So I went travelling to Australia and then Singapore for about three months, and then I discovered CFG! At the time I did the Web Development course and there I met a couple of the team involved at CFG. So, that’s how I got into CFG, starting in the delivery side and then progressing into where I am now after completing my CFGdegree through the data stream!
What do you like doing outside of work in your free time?
I love staying at home and indulging on TV shows! During COVID, I got hooked on Korean dramas. If anyone wants recommendations or to start their journey into K-dramas, they can come to me! I love hanging out with friends, chilling, and listening to music. So, nothing all too wild! Because of K-dramas, I started learning Korean, but that’s on pause at the moment. I also live with my 2.5-year-old niece, so I spend time playing with her.
I had to create a dashboard in HubSpot, which was so fun to do! That's when my interest in data peaked.
What made you decide to do the CFGdegree?
As I was helping manage the classes, I had to create a dashboard in HubSpot, which was so fun to do! That’s when my interest in data peaked. My manager at the time, encouraged me to do the data course and eventually the degree. So last year I decided I was ready for the commitment.
My then manager, was so supportive, letting me log off at 4 pm to have a break before starting at 6:30. I’ve always enjoyed numbers and being logical, which made the quantitative side and stats enjoyable for me. After completing the degree, a job opening for a Junior Data Analyst role came up, and I thought, “This is my time to shine!” Even though I knew a few on the course, I was nervous during the interview because I wanted it so much.
What kept you motivated during the CFGdegree? How did you find a work-life-study balance?
I didn’t want to let my team down! There were times I thought about quitting, but I reminded myself I was nearly there. It was exhausting, but my parents encouraged me, and everyone in the team was so supportive. That’s what got me through it—the support from my team and my parents. The pressure of not wanting to disappoint them kept me going.
AI and ML fascinate me. and I'd like to see how I can tackle that in the future, making models that predict answers.
What’s a dream tech project you’d like to pursue?
I just want to be good at what I do because it’s a junior role, and I’m very much a beginner still learning. I’m learning about SQL and getting data from the warehouse, and I want to be good at that. AI and ML fascinate me, and I’d like to see how I can tackle that in the future, making models that predict answers. Once I’m good at what I do, I’m interested in exploring AI and ML.
What is your favourite tech product/invention?
Anything Apple! I’ve got the whole collection, and anything new that comes out excites me. It stresses me out because it’s so expensive, but I swoon over it. I still have the iPhone 10 Max because I’m trying to justify the next phone, but I’m definitely getting the next one for sure!
Thank you for sharing Anu!
It’s been great getting to know your story Anu! if you’d like to connect with Anu then you can click here, or explore more of our CFGdegree experience blogs here.
