Scottish Careers Week 2023 - My Career Change with Adam Hudzik, Data Engineer.

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#ScotCareersWeek23

It’s the final day of our Scottish Careers Week series. All this week, we’ve heard the stories of Quorumites that have embarked on a big career change on the way to their role at Quorum.

The aim of #ScotCareersWeek23 is to offer career guidance, information, and resources to those looking to make informed career decisions. We hope that this week we’ve inspired even one person to make the leap into a career that will make them happier.

Meet Adam Hudzik, a former Project Manager who worked in retail while he was upskilling to pursue a career in data. Adam can now be found as a Data Engineer in our Data and AI team.

What did you do before Quorum?

After graduating in Business Management, I worked in a project management team at a consultancy company in my home country of Poland for six years.

I was involved in two large projects about strategic planning and one about implementing green energy solutions in businesses. These projects were for SME companies across different industries and provided tailored business advisory and training for managers.

What prompted your career move?

After a few years, I started thinking about a career change because I felt that I had lost satisfaction in what I was doing at that time and wanted to work on something that brought me more joy.

A change toward the data industry sounded like a natural choice as it was a perfect match for my strengths (analytical thinking and a detail-oriented approach), along with the enjoyment I had in using VBA in Excel and programming in Turbo Pascal (in the old times!). I was aware that getting my foot in the door might not be easy without previous experience and having a different knowledge background, so, I decided to focus on improving my skills by taking programming courses (hello SQL!) and polishing my English.

This journey led me to Scotland, where I took on various roles, from retail to the banking industry to pay the bills while I continued to upskill.

The turning point was enrolling in an Applied Data Science CPD postgraduate program the Highlands and Islands University, where I delved deep into the R programming language, big data analysis, and data science techniques. It wasn’t a piece of cake, but I really enjoyed what I was doing there and had that gut feeling that I was on the right path.

After a couple of years, I was fortunate enough to start my new career as a Junior Data Engineer at Quorum. The key to my success? Supportive colleagues who willingly shared their knowledge, a work environment that encouraged growth, and a strong commitment to continuous learning.

What advice would you give anyone thinking about a career change?

If you’re considering a career change, here’s the advice I would offer:

First, take a moment to understand yourself better. Identify your strengths, interests, and skills. This self-reflection can help you figure out where your heart truly lies.

Next, embrace the spirit of constant learning. Invest in yourself through relevant courses and programs. Education is your gateway to a smoother transition.

Networking is gold. Attend industry events, connect with professionals, and make the most of platforms like LinkedIn to build meaningful connections. Sometimes, it’s not just what you know but who you know.

Be proactive in your job search. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Reach out to potential employers, introduce yourself, and showcase your skills and projects. A proactive approach is often highly appreciated.

Lastly, find a workplace that supports your growth and learning. A nurturing work environment can make all the difference during a career change.