Introduction
Hello, I’m Maja Strawinska, and I joined Butterfly Data as a Data Science Consultant as a recent graduate. I’m excited to share my journey and accomplishments during my first three months here.

Starting My Role
As a Consultant, I was responsible for the creation of a dashboard using Power BI and coding in SAS for our clients, focusing specifically on data quality assessments. From day one, I focused on developing my skills in SAS as this is the heart of the business..

How easy was it to settle in/fit into company culture?
The company was extremely welcoming and I felt a part of the team from day one,  morning social time being one of the key factors making this new transition a lot easier. 

Key Achievements
In my first three months, I’ve been fortunate to take several SAS courses and partake in some amazing projects. Here are some highlights:

• Completed dashboard for the client: on a project along with Cardiff University I was able to create two dashboards for the client along with the team, one aiming to replicate their assessments of school data and the other for informative analysis of data for the whole of Wales. The client is thrilled with the ease of navigation and our ability to comply with their design brand guidelines. 

• Part of Hackathon winning team: I was able to join just in time to participate in the SAS hackathon where I developed regression models with SAS and another semi-developed using Python. This experience has helped me develop my SAS skills which now i feel confident using in my daily work tasks. My team also won four awards during the hackathon, Modelling, Transparent AI, Channel Readiness, and overall EMEA Region. I am unbelievably proud to be a part of this team that contributed to the grey area of assessing Fake news. 

• Published my first blog: titled “AI: A Game-Changer in Combating Corruption in Public Procurement” where I explore current uses of AI in fighting corruption in procurement and introduce a company analysis tool Butterfly Data is creating in collaboration with Oxford Insights. This experience has helped me develop my writing skills to ensure a clear transfer of information in a concise way. We aim to publish a white paper on this topic in the coming months. 

Challenges and Solutions
Transitioning into a new role came with its challenges, including learning new systems such as SAS, PowerBi and handling multiple projects at once. To address these, I spoke to my mentor to prioritize my learning and guide me to the best courses to help me learn which have been a great way to keep track of my progress, I have been able to apply the skills I've learned almost immediately on my projects. I ensured to plan each day how long will be spent on each task to not fall behind on others.

Learning and Development
These first three months have been a period of significant learning and growth. I’ve developed skills in SAS for the interpretation of Data, and modelling through SAS Viya as well as PowerBi courses that have helped me understand the basics of the software. Key lessons include; DAMA principles and how to apply these in SAS creating rules to assess the data complies. I have also become very proficient with PowerBi and I can comfortably transform data ensuring the data is not manipulated in a way that may cause significant bias. 

Looking Ahead
As I move forward, I am excited about becoming part of the business development team and working closely looking through bids and learning the process for application. My goals include developing my skills through SAS even further by completing courses in personal development time, I also aim to take on more responsibility with the blog aiming to publish three blogs in the upcoming year. I am committed to ensuring constant development and seeking new opportunities within the company.

Advice for New Joiners
Reflecting on my experience, I would advise new hires to make the most of the buddy and mentor system. I have to gain as much knowledge not only about project processes but the company itself and take constructive feedback in a respectful way; we all make mistakes and this is a learning curve. 

Conclusion
My first three months at Butterfly Data have been incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had so far and look forward to continuing to contribute to our team’s success. Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey.