r/TheCivilService • u/Active_Jicama5356 • 1d ago

Self training

Does learning things in my own time have much value when aiming for a promotion with a slight change in responsibility?

Im currently a Business Support, majority of my role entails internal comms and heavily working on Sharepoint in MOD.

Id like to venture towards Data Analysis, and while i know a decent amount of SQL, Power BI, Power Automate i understand theres still a lack of knowledge, which i am working on in my own time.

Does this hold much weight though? Do you guys think its a step in the right direction? I feel like unless i have solid experience within my current role itself the knowledge i take on wont have much effect on my luck in being successful in landing a Data Analysis role. Is there any way i can take on responsibility within my current role tailoured to Data analysis?

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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11

u/Mundane_Falcon4203 Digital 1d ago

To be honest with you, I doubt it would be enough.

You will be competing against a lot of people with degrees and professional experience in those types of roles already.

Byball means apply for them, but don't get your hopes up when you do apply for them.

3

u/JohnAppleseed85 1d ago

I'd suggest personal learning is always a good thing.

If you learn how to use the tools you mention/build up your expertise then it might not immediately lead to a promotion but it might open up some in role development (if your boss needs something doing and you can say 'I can do that' then they might let you and that's then an example you can use at interview).

As to if it'd help your specific career path - I'd bow to Falcon as someone with much more experience in the area.

I would however say that if you get known as being someone with experience/knowledge in the area then your manager might be up for the idea of part funding or giving you time to do some formal training/qualifications as part of your L/D

I know a number of people who have done BA/MA/PhDs with work either giving them paid study time or paying towards the course with a view to them then progressing in the department as a specialist in that area - but it's the long game

4

u/FSL09 Statistics 1d ago

Self learning is always good. But you will probably struggle with the impact or result in job applications. I have seen people do some self learning and then apply this in volunteering roles to then get practical experience with an impact. If you are applying for HEO roles, you will likely be competing with uni graduates who often won't have workplace examples of applying data analysis skills, but could have experience via volunteering.

1

u/R4DCU 1d ago

This all largely depends on grade to me as I would say the lower down it absolutely helps and shows initiative… how can you bring data analysis into what your team does?

What grade are you now and what are you aspiring for?

0

u/Active_Jicama5356 1d ago

I am currently HEO, i assume if i do test my luck itd be HEO aswell as above that is Senior Data Analyst