Rediscovering confidence and purpose in Data 

Shea planned to find work in advertising and marketing after completing her studies. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and wider economic downturn made it difficult to secure opportunities in her field. 

Before joining Generation in 2025, Shea was in a 5 year-long job search period. 

“During that time, I worked part-time in a supermarket and a bubble tea shop to support myself. Alongside these roles, I took the initiative to build my own experience by doing small marketing and data analysis projects, which helped me gradually realise that I was more interested in data.”

Shea found that most roles required prior experience, but there were limited opportunities to gain it. Over time, repeated rejections began to impact confidence and made the process of applying for jobs increasingly challenging.

“After sending many applications without getting responses, it was sometimes hard to stay confident and keep applying. I also found interviews quite challenging, as I wasn’t very confident in my English. It became a difficult cycle. The longer I couldn’t find a job, the harder it was to stay positive and keep trying. ” 

Shea discovered Generation while actively searching for opportunities to break into the data field.

“I found Generation while I was looking for jobs. My partner saw a BBC story about someone who struggled to get interviews after graduation but later joined the Generation bootcamp and secured their first role. That really interested me. When I looked into the programme and saw there was a data analysis pathway that matched my career goals, I decided to apply straight away.”

Shea joined a Generation’s Data Analytics bootcamp in London when she was 30. This marked a turning point.

“The bootcamp gave me a clear pathway into data. It felt like a chance to turn what I had been learning on my own into something more structured and practical that employers would recognise.”

The programme proved to be transformative, both in building technical skills and reshaping Shea’s mindset.

“At first, I thought the focus would mainly be technical. But after going through the programme, I realised the sessions focused on behaviours and mindsets were actually the most valuable part. Before, I focused too much on results, and if things didn’t go well, I would feel like I failed. I now understand that success takes time, and I focus more on learning and improving, rather than just outcomes.”

Working alongside other learners also helped rebuild a sense of connection and momentum. Mock interviews and interview training also helped Shea demystify the recruitment process and provided a safe space to practise. 

“The mindset training helped me think differently, and working with others made me feel more connected. Finishing projects successfully gave me more confidence and I really enjoyed the interview training and mock interviews. It helped me understand how interviews work, instead of just memorising answers”. 

After graduating in December 2025, Shea secured a role as an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Specialist at PageGroup, a global recruitment company. In the role, Shea manages and analyses carbon emissions data across international offices. She collects, cleans, and validates data to support ESG reporting. This includes maintaining data platforms, building trackers to monitor submissions, and working with regional stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

“What I enjoy most is the support from my team. My manager and director understand that I’m still learning and give me the space to develop step by step. They are happy to give me chances to learn and improve. Because of that, I’ve been able to settle in without feeling too much pressure.”

For Shea, the journey into data has brought structure, confidence, and excitement about the future. The impact of securing this role has been significant, both professionally and personally.

“Getting a job has made a big difference in my life, especially mentally. Before, I depended a lot on my partner and family, which made me feel pressure, and I often felt behind compared to others. Now I feel much more stable. I can support myself financially, and I feel more confident in both work and life. I’m also more positive about the future and motivated to keep improving.”