By Calden Radhakrishna, Junior Data Consultant at Insight Consulting.
My journey with Insight Consulting began when I reached out through the company website. To my surprise, I received a response the very next day. That immediate engagement stood out to me because it showed how proactive and people-focused the company is from the very beginning.
My first conversation with HR was welcoming and insightful. We discussed my academic background, my interests, and the type of career path I wanted to pursue. At the time, I was open to exploring different areas within IT, whether it was software development or data analytics, as my main goal was to grow, learn, and gain meaningful industry experience.
I was then given two company assessments, one focused on development and the other on analytics. After performing strongly in the analytics assessment, I had a follow-up discussion around my results, and shortly after, I was offered an internship opportunity with Insight Consulting. It was an incredibly rewarding moment for me. All the hard work, sacrifices, long study sessions, and dedication throughout university finally felt worth it.
My internship experience was exceptional and played a major role in shaping my passion for data analytics. I had the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals across the business, including the Head of Consulting, the Training Manager, and many supportive team members who invested their time in helping me grow.
One of the technologies I was introduced to was Qlik, a powerful analytics and business intelligence platform used to transform raw data into meaningful insights and interactive dashboards. I really enjoyed learning how data could be visualised in a way that helps businesses make smarter decisions. It opened my eyes to how impactful analytics can be in solving real business challenges.
I was also included in the Cape Town team’s weekly knowledge-sharing sessions, where I learned a great deal and always felt welcomed and encouraged to contribute. The culture of collaboration and support at Insight Consulting made a lasting impression on me.
As part of my development journey, the Head of Consulting encouraged me to explore the Microsoft Fabric ecosystem and work toward the DP-700 certification. This was a significant challenge because the certification is typically pursued by professionals who already have industry experience with Microsoft Fabric technologies.
Despite the challenge, I committed myself fully to learning the platform. Through countless hours of studying, I developed a strong understanding of concepts such as data engineering, cloud-based analytics, data integration, and modern data solutions within the Microsoft Fabric environment. The more I learned, the more passionate I became about the field.
When exam day finally arrived, I was proud to successfully achieve the DP-700 certification. It was one of the proudest moments of my life, and the support and encouragement I received from the Insight Consulting team made the achievement even more meaningful.
The very next day after receiving my certification, I was informed that I had an interview scheduled for a Junior Data Consultant role. Regardless of the outcome, I was already grateful for the opportunity and the belief the company had shown in me. I prepared as thoroughly as I could, drawing from everything I had learned during my internship experience.
Although I was nervous during the interview, I gave it my all and answered every question to the best of my ability. Shortly afterward, I received the news that I had been selected for the role of Junior Data Consultant.
It was an unforgettable moment for me, going from a university graduate with no industry experience to achieving a challenging certification and securing a permanent role in a field I am truly passionate about.
What makes Insight Consulting different is the genuine investment they make in people. The company creates opportunities for growth, learning, and development, regardless of your level of experience. They recognise potential, support hard work, and provide an environment where people are empowered to succeed.
I am incredibly excited and grateful to officially begin my journey as a Junior Data Consultant at Insight Consulting, and I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to the team in the years ahead.
This article first appeared in Insight Edge, our newsletter on LinkedIn.