learning-goals.md

Define Your Learning Goal

1. Select a Skill/Certification Focus

Power BI, DAX, SQL, SSRS, Business Acumen

Job Posting: Data Analyst

About the job

Responsibilities

• Responsible for creating new reports and updating existing reports.
• Prepare requirements specifications.
• Prepare report summary documentation when new reports are published.
• Assist with projects that include a reporting component.
• Manage pipeline of open report requests and deliver reports on time.
• Troubleshoot data discrepancies.
• Analyze and report on data.
• Understand business needs.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience with Power BI and willingness to learn DAX
• Knowledge of SQL and SSRS
• Ability to work with DAX formulas
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Eagerness to grow and learn
• Business Acumen expertise

2. State Your “Why”

I chose Data Analysis because I enjoy working with data, uncovering insights, and using analytics to support business decisions. This role aligns with my technical background, including SQL experience from college and my Google Data Analytics certification. Additionally, learning Power BI and DAX will make me more competitive in the job market and expand my ability to work with business intelligence tools.

3. Outline Your Learning Path

To meet the job qualifications, I will focus on strengthening my Power BI, SQL, and SSRS skills while developing business acumen.

Resources

• Power BI & DAX
  • Microsoft Learn: Power BI Learning Path
• SQL & SSRS
  • Mode Analytics SQL Tutorial: SQL Tutorial
  • Microsoft Learn: SSRS Documentation
  • Kaggle: SQL practice datasets
• Business Acumen
  • Coursera: Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Network with professionals in data analytics via LinkedIn

Hands-On Practice

• Build a Power BI dashboard using sample business datasets.
• Write SQL queries for data cleaning and analysis on a real dataset (Kaggle or a public database).
• Create and publish an SSRS report using dummy data.

Mentorship/Peer Learning

• Join a Power BI & SQL LinkedIn group for industry insights.
• Find a Data Analyst mentor through LinkedIn or tech communities.
• Participate in online Power BI and SQL challenges (Kaggle, LeetCode, or Data.World).

4. Set Measurable Milestones

Phase 1: Power BI & DAX (Weeks 1-8)

🎯Goal: Gain proficiency in Power BI and DAX
🗝️Key Focus: Power BI fundamentals, hands-on dashboard creation, and Microsoft PL-900 certification prep.

• Week 1-2: Complete Microsoft Power BI modules (Intro & Data Modeling).
• Week 3-6: Start Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Specialization.
• Week 7: Work on analyzing a dataset in Power BI with visuals.
  • Step 1: Select a dataset from Kaggle or Power BI Samples.
  • Step 2: Load the data into Power BI and perform data cleaning & transformation.
  • Step 3: Build 3-5 meaningful visualizations using charts, slicers, and KPIs.
  • Step 4: Summarize key insights (What does the data tell you?).
• Week 4: Build and publish a Power BI dashboard.
  • Step 1: Design the dashboard layout (Arrange charts, KPIs, and filters for clear storytelling).
  • Step 2: Add filters & slicers (Enable user interaction by filtering data by date, category, or region).
  • Step 3: Apply final formatting & styling (Consistent colors, labels, and alignment for a polished look).
  • Step 4: Publish the dashboard

Phase 2: SQL & SSRS (Weeks 9-14)

🎯Goal: Strengthen SQL skills & learn SSRS for reporting
🗝️Key Focus: SQL fundamentals, advanced queries, SSRS fundamentals.

• Week 9-14: Start CS50’s Introduction to Databases with SQL.
• Week 12: Start writing advanced SQL queries for real datasets.
• Week 13-14: Apply SQL queries to a real business problem.
• Week 15: Learn SSRS fundamentals, create a simple report.
• Week 16: Design and publish a professional SSRS report.
  • Step 1: Use Microsoft Learn & Tutorials to get comfortable with SSRS.
  • Step 2: Pick a dataset from Kaggle or a self-made SQL database.
  • Step 3: Create a Professional Business Report (Example: “Quarterly Sales Performance” or “Employee Productivity Analysis”).
  • Step 4: Publish your SSRS report and add it to your portfolio.

Phase 3: Business Acumen (Weeks 17-21)

🎯Goal: Develop analytical thinking & decision-making skills
🗝️Key Focus: Business analytics, networking, case studies, and applying insights.

• Week 17-20: Complete Business Analytics Specialization.
• Week 19: Read and summarize 3 case studies.
  • McKinsey & Company Insights
• Week 20: Network with 3 Data Analysts to discuss business analytics.
• Week 12: Write a report analyzing a business dataset and present findings.

5. Draft Your Success Criteria

✔️ Technical Competence

• Can confidently build Power BI dashboards with DAX formulas.
• Can write complex SQL queries for data analysis.
• Can create and publish reports using SSRS.

✔️ Hands-On Application

• Completed 1 Power BI dashboard and shared it on LinkedIn/GitHub.
• Completed 1 SSRS report using sample business data.
• Completed a data-driven business report to demonstrate business acumen.

✔️ Job Readiness

• My portfolio includes a Power BI dashboard, SQL queries, and an SSRS report.
• I meet all technical requirements for the Data Analyst job posting.
• I feel confident applying for remote Data Analyst roles.

6. Reflection & Next Steps

Blockers

🕒 Limited Time (Balancing Work & Study)
💡 Solution: Dedicate 1 hour daily for focused learning, use time-blocking.
📉 Staying Motivated
💡 Solution: Set up an accountability group (friends, LinkedIn, or Discord).
😵 Overwhelm from Learning Multiple Skills
💡 Solution: Focus on one skill at a time (Power BI → SQL → Business Acumen).

Immediate Next Step

🔹 Sign up for Microsoft Learn Power BI course and complete the first module this weekend.