A Conversation with Ariel Mbekwe on SAS Skill Builder for Students
In the ever-evolving data and technology landscape, mastering the right skills can be the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ariel Mbekwe, a seasoned data engineer, to delve into his journey and how SAS Skill Builder for Students played a pivotal role in shaping his expertise.
- Crafting a Learning Plan for Success
Ariel emphasizes the importance of having a roadmap when diving into the vast sea of knowledge offered by SAS Skill Builder for Students. He reflects, "I first developed the skills to know how to look for what I need because SAS Skills Builder for Students is an e-learning platform developed by SAS to help students or learners to learn at their pace."
He shares his experience of initially wanting to absorb everything, only to realize that specialization is the key to our competitive domain. Ariel's advice? "Develop a learning plan. What do you want to learn? Is it analytics? I mean statistics, machine learning. Or is it platform development, like SAS administration platform, or data management?"
- Mastering SAS Technologies through Certification
Ariel attributes his success as a data engineer to the six certifications he acquired through SAS Skill Builder for Students. "SAS Skill Builder for Students helped me to upgrade my knowledge because they are setting aspects of the data analytics skills that I didn't know," he explains.
He stresses the impact of these certifications on his career, stating, "The fact that I have six certifications in different aspects of the SAS, from programming, machining and forecasting, is a way to show my employer that I was able to master the technology I use here."
- Adapting to New Technologies and Problem Solving
A key takeaway from Ariel's journey is the adaptability fostered by SAS Skill Builder for Students. He notes, "If he's not using SAS, I will be able to use and adapt myself to new technologies and understand different problematics." Ariel underscores the importance of being versatile in a dynamic tech landscape. "We live in a very competitive world so we don't need people that know everything but we need people that master what they know. So the end is to be very specialized and able to have a mastery of what you know."
Conclusion: In a world driven by data, Ariel's journey stands as a testament to the impact SAS Skill Builder for Students can have on one's career. His advice to students? Develop a focused learning plan, master key technologies through certifications, and embrace adaptability. SAS is not just a skill; it's a pathway to success in the data-driven era.
