Introduction

Hello, I’m Amber, and I joined Butterfly Data as a Data Consultant in September 2025. I’m excited to share my journey and accomplishments during my first six months here.

Starting My Role

As a Data Consultant, I was responsible for working on the dashboard and backend code on the DPS DQ project. From day one, I focused on becoming familiar with the codebase while completing my SAS training and other upskilling.
I found it easy to fit in at Butterfly since everyone was so friendly. By the end of my second month, I had already started my own social group, the weekly album club.

Key Achievements

Here are some highlights of my first six months at Butterfly Data:
- Data source config automation: took the lead on a new custom tool aimed at saving time when configuring new data sources by automating their creation using internal HMRC APIs.
- Power BI dashboard DevOps: reworked the DevOps process for the main data quality dashboard, including promoting and gathering evidence for a change in Git tools used.
- Presenting at a conference: attended a HMRC data analyst conference, and was tasked with presenting by the product owner at the last minute, which I successfully did.

Challenges and Solutions

Transitioning into a new role came with its challenges, including becoming accustomed to a corporate environment coming from a background of academia and retail. To address these, I sought guidance from my mentor and other senior colleagues, and practiced interacting with stakeholders at events such as conferences.

Learning and Development

These first six months have been a period of significant learning and growth. I’ve developed skills in SAS programming. Key lessons include writing code involving macros and understanding the mechanics of a large-scale data processing framework.

Looking Ahead

As I move forward, I am excited about continuing to develop my programming skills. My goals include improving my software development skills, continuing to organise the album club, and presenting at a conference. I am committed to meeting performance expectations for project work, and undertaking a personal development project to improve my Python coding.

Advice for New Joiners

Reflecting on my experience, I would advise new hires to get to know your colleagues by arranging 1-on-1 introductory meetings with all of them, and attending dedicated social calls. My journey has reinforced that getting along with your coworkers makes work more enjoyable but also more productive as it supports smooth collaboration.

Conclusion

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

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