Skip to main content

Speakers

  • Anna Gromovich Headshot

    Anna Gromovich

    DataCamp Competition Winner, Aspiring Data Analyst

  • Javier Escudero Marroquin Headshot

    Javier Escudero Marroquin

    DataCamp Competition Winner, Business Control & Data Analytics Specialist at KAUST

  • Umer Anzar Headshot

    Umer Anzar

    DataCamp Competition Winner, Artificial Intelligence Engineer at Covalent

  • Muhammad Faizan Headshot

    Muhammad Faizan

    DataCamp Competition Winner, Data Analyst at MLSA UOK

For Business

Training 2 or more people?

Get your team access to the full DataCamp library, with centralized reporting, assignments, projects and more
Try DataCamp for BusinessFor a bespoke solution book a demo.

How to Win a DataCamp Competition

January 2024
Share

Learning new data skills is only half the learning journey. To truly master your new skills, you need to be able to apply them. DataCamp provides several opportunities for this, from Projects and Code-alongs to hone your ability to run an end-to-end analysis, to Workspace templates that provide a code playground.

The final test of your new expertise is a DataCamp Competition. By competing against - and learning from - others you can achieve expert level abilities and build a portfolio to show off to employers.

In this session, you'll hear the stories of past DataCamp Competition winners. You'll get tips on how to take part, learn secrets on how to top the leaderboards, and discover how winning a competition can change your career.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn what participating in a DataCamp Competition involves.
  • Learn secrets and best practices to help you win.
  • Learn how participating in a DataCamp Competition can help your career.
Additional Resources:

Summary

Data science competitions are an excellent platform for learners to practice and demonstrate their capabilities. Central to these competitions is the ELPA loop framework, which highlights the significance of applying learned skills. Competitions do not just offer participants the chance to win prizes but also assist in building a portfolio, which is vital for a career in data science. The webinar included insights from former competition winners, who shared their strategies and experiences. They emphasized the necessity of understanding the problem statement, adhering to instructions, and incorporating storytelling into their dashboards. The speakers also pointed out the importance of understanding the end-user and adapting analyses to meet their distinct needs. By taking part in these competitions, data enthusiasts can gain valuable experience and confidence, making them more prepared for real-world challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Competitions are a main component of the ELPA loop, emphasizing the application of learned skills.
  • Building a portfolio through competitions can significantly improve career prospects.
  • Storytelling in data presentations is vital for engaging the audience and conveying insights effectively.
  • Understanding the end-user's needs is crucial for adapting data analyses.
  • Competitions provide a platform for both learning and networking with like-minded individuals.

Deep Dives

The Role of Competitions in the ELPA Loop

Competitions play an important role in the ELPA loop (Assess, Learn, Practice, and Apply), a framework designed to reinforce learning through practical appl ...
Read More

ication. As highlighted by Martin van den Brock, competitions are an excellent way to apply what learners have learned in courses, providing a real-world context that enhances their skills. "Applying skills can actually win you some nice prizes," Martin noted, highlighting the dual benefit of skill enhancement and tangible rewards. These competitions are not only about winning but also about building a significant portfolio that showcases one's analytical abilities, which is vital for those pursuing a career in data science.

Building a Portfolio Through Competitions

Participating in data science competitions allows individuals to create a portfolio, showcasing their expertise in various data-related tasks. This aspect was highlighted by Anna Gromovic, who pointed out that having a public record of participation and success in competitions is invaluable during job applications. "A lot of employers want to see examples of work that you've done," she remarked. Competitions provide a way to demonstrate one's skills in a structured and recognized format, making it easier for potential employers to assess a candidate's capabilities.

The Art of Storytelling in Data Science

Effective storytelling is a key component of successful data presentations. As highlighted by multiple speakers, including Mohammed Faizan, storytelling helps in creating a narrative that keeps the audience engaged while making complex data more accessible. "Create this story and don't lose perspective of who is going to be the user," Faizan advised, stressing the need to adapt presentations to the audience's level of understanding. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also ensures that the insights are actionable and relevant to the stakeholders.

Understanding the End-User's Needs

One of the recurring themes in the webinar was the importance of understanding the end-user's needs. Anna Gromovic shared her experience, emphasizing the need to address the specific questions that the company or stakeholders want answered. This user-centric approach ensures that the analysis is not only technically sound but also practically useful. By focusing on the end-user's requirements, data analysts can provide insights that drive decision-making and add tangible value to the organization.

Related

white paper

How to Win the Competition for Data Professionals in 2022

What are the challenges of hiring data professionals and how DataCamp can help

webinar

Live Training: Participating in DataCamp Competitions

See what DataCamp competitions involve and work your way through a competition.

webinar

How Business Leaders Can Win with Data Science

This session, run by the authors of "Winning with Data Science", covers stories of Kamala and Steve, two fictional professionals collaborating with data science teams to achieve their business goals

webinar

Running Data Hackathons with DataCamp Workspace

Tune in to cover all key steps involved in organizing hackathons using DataCamp Workspace: picking a dataset, defining the business question, organizing teams, providing feedback, and grading.

webinar

How DataCamp Portfolios Will Help Your Career

This session is designed to empower aspiring and seasoned data and AI professionals alike in crafting compelling data portfolios that stand out in the competitive job market.

webinar

How to Get a Job in Data

In this session, you'll learn what hiring managers look for in candidates for data analyst and data scientist roles, and get tips on how to prepare yourself for the hiring process and your first weeks on the job.

Hands-on learning experience

Companies using DataCamp achieve course completion rates 6X higher than traditional online course providers

Learn More

Upskill your teams in data science and analytics

Learn More

Join 5,000+ companies and 80% of the Fortune 1000 who use DataCamp to upskill their teams.

Don’t just take our word for it.