Business Intelligence Overview: Pavel Shteling

I’m Pavel, from St. Petersburg, Russia. My educacional path started with earning a bachelor's degree in law, economics and compliance and subsequently I spent several years practicing as a corporate lawyer. However, I eventually transitioned into a project management career. During this time, I had the chance to engage with data analytics within my team and projects. After a few years, I realized I needed to enhance my understanding of data analytics and delve deeper into the subject. In 2019 I applied for a master's degree in business analytics and was accepted at one of the schools in Boston, MA, which led to my relocation to the United States. After graduation in 2020, I started interning and subsequently working as Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce Developer.   Subsequently, I started interning at a software startup, where I took the role of Data Administrator. This was a unique chance for me to dive into practical knowledge in the tech field and renewable energy. I would definitely recommend you all not to wait until after graduation to start looking for internship opportunities. Having an internship early in your career will give you a huge competitive advantage in the future job search or land a job in the same company as it happened to me.   After my internship, I was offered to work as a full-time employee as Salesforce Administrator. What I like about this job is that it gives you the opportunity to develop a very diverse skill set and tooling. It also allows you to choose from a great number of different paths you can develop your career in. My workday varies based on the org. needs and stage of ongoing project. Throughout the day I do user support, including troubleshooting errors or bugs, providing training. Also handling data-related tasks, such as data imports, updates, ensuring data accuracy and integrity by resolving duplicate records, validating data entries, and maintaining clean datasets. Work on configuring and customizing Salesforce based on business needs, this could involve creating new fields, updating page layouts, modifying workflows, or adjusting permissions. Collaboration with stakeholders to gather requirements for new features, enhancements, or changes. Create and manage automation processes using tools like Salesforce Flows, or Apex code. This might involve automating lead assignment, approval processes, or sending notifications. Test newly implemented features, changes, or system updates to ensure they work as intended and do not disrupt existing processes. Throughout the day I interact with various stakeholders, including users, managers, developers, and business analysts.  Beyond my professional pursuits, I enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, SUP boarding, rowing, and listening to audio books.

In times of uncertainty, your passion for learning and your determination to succeed will be your guiding lights. I learnt the following: Adaptation to Challenging Circumstances: When I graduated in 2020, the job market was historically low due to COVID-19 pandemic and the unique challenges I posed as an international student with limited work authorization. What important is - your determination to overcome these or different challenges. Networking: You should leverage your relationships with professors and peers to uncover job opportunities that might not have been publicly advertised. This is one of the most important elements in finding a job opportunity. Learning Attitude: always highlight your eagerness to learn and adapt. Take the initiative to enhance your skillset or knowledge to align with potential job requirements. Resilience: persevere through the setbacks and uncertainties of the job search process. Your resilience and positive attitude can demonstrate your ability to handle challenges in a professional setting.  Stay curious, continue networking, and seek out mentors who can provide guidance along the way. Your professors, peers, and industry professionals are your allies, offering insights and support.  Ultimately, your journey showcases the reality that job hunting is a process that involves multiple steps, emotions, and strategies. The combination of networking, learning, and determination significantly contributes to your success in landing a job that aligns with your goals.