How Citi is becoming data-first by upskilling teams across the bank.
Tags: Apprenticeship Levy, Python, Lifelong Learning, Data Analytics, Data Science

Last year, Citi partnered with Decoded to build an in-house Data Academy, where employees could enrol and learn cutting-edge data skills on-the-job.

Stuart Riley, Global Head of Operations and Technology for the bank’s Institutional Clients Group, has said that “the delineation between traders and technologists in markets is disappearing.”

When Citi partnered with Decoded to set up a Data Academy programme, they did it with the vision to become a much more data driven organisation. As an organisation that produces reams of data, how it’s analysed and processed is vital in being able to provide their clients with the top insights. As well as hiring externally, there was a desire to upskill within.

We spoke to Sisi Liu, Project Manager, about how Decoded helped her gain confidence in data, take on new ambitious projects and find unexpected patterns in real business data.

What do you do for your main job?

“I am a project manager in technology, in an area related to regulation.”

What did you think of data before you enrolled on the Data Academy?

“Before the Data Academy, data was just numbers to me. I wouldn’t have been able to find the relationship between data points. I decided to do the Data Academy because I was managing a lot of projects requiring data, but I didn’t have any background in data analysis, which was difficult when I talked to the wider business. Also, I just don’t manage Excel well and sometimes it breaks.”

Have you ever tried to learn data analytics before?

“I was very nervous because I thought you had to have a background in data, and I thought I would be the worst [on the Decoded Data Academy]. Small data is fine — but if you’d given me data and asked me to solve a problem, I never thought I’d be able to. I wanted to understand why people were interested in big data. We are surrounded by data so it’s a good thing to understand.

“Data is for everyone. Before I did the Data Academy I thought it would be hard to understand the data, but it is designed in a very good way, even for those who don’t have a degree in Data or Mathematics you can still get a lot from the Data Academy.”

How did you get selected for the Decoded Data Academy?

“It was quite funny, when the cohort was advertised, the application closing date was when I was on annual leave. I was pinging HR saying can you make the link available right now! Loads of people applied and there was a lot of interest, but there were only 20 people selected. There was so much interest they opened up more places for the next one.”

Was it helpful knowing you had a dedicated Decoded mentor during the course?

“Yes, certainly. Rosalind from Decoded was really helpful — when I ran out of ideas, she suggested ‘you can try this’ or ‘focus on this’ and it immediately gave me ideas. I can really see the difference between having a mentor and not having one — especially the monthly catch ups. Getting a Decoded mentor has definitely helped”.

Has enrolling in the Data Academy changed your role at all?

“Lots of new projects for 2021 are data related, and my boss wanted me to handle those projects, largely because I’m doing the Data Academy. It has allowed me to take on broader projects because I now have the knowledge of dealing with data. Before that I wouldn’t have felt comfortable.”

What was the hardest part of the Data Academy?

“There was a point where I wrote to Rosalind [Decoded mentor] saying it’s quite difficult. Knowing that I do have some support — rather than being on my own — meant I tried to do the work rather than saying no. That’s why a mentor is very important.”

What was the most rewarding part of the Data Academy?

“We prepare projects based on real business data — so one of the most interesting and satisfying things was to be able to use something we learned and be able to find something interesting in the business data. When I presented my analysis to my manager, she was quite surprised, she found it very interesting.”

Has the Data Academy impacted you in any unexpected ways?

“I have been paying more attention to data related stuff after I started the Data Academy. I was watching a TV Series called Numbers, which is related to the FBI and crime, but is ultimately all about data science and probability. It is so interesting to see how he used big data to solve crimes — to help something much bigger. When you don’t have enough data, your projection can be wrong and in this case, you get the wrong suspect. The first thing you need to do is check the data quality.”

What’s next for you?

“The reason I didn’t originally say I wanted to work with data was because I didn’t think I had enough skills or the tools to do data analysis. After the Data Academy I’m now happy to expand my career or areas of interest into analysis.”

Sisi enrolled on the Decoded Data Academy programme at Citi.

The Decoded Data Academy upskills employees in cutting-edge data analytics. We guide these employees to apply new skills in real-time business data for immediate impact on your business. To see more about the programme click here.

Or drop us an email here if you have any questions about how Decoded can help to upskill your teams.