What's your job about?

Quantium is a Data Science and AI firm that offers data-driven solutions to clients across a plethora of different industries, including Retail, Banking, and Telecommunications.

As a Graduate Analyst in the wiqConsumer division, I work with Woolworths and its Trade Partners (also known as suppliers) such as Coca Cola, Pepsico, Arnott’s, Unilever, etc. to help solve commercial problems. Through bespoke analytics, our team answers key business questions such as “What promotions should I run on my products?”, “Which products should I delete from Woolworths?” or “What types of customers are buying my products?”. 

Given the nature of my team, projects are extremely fast paced, lasting around 3-5 days each. Once a project is assigned to me, the first step is to understand the business context and the problem the client is trying to solve. I then use SQL to summarise millions of rows of Woolworths customer transaction data into useful insights. This is the part I enjoy the most, as the required data manipulations can be a fun challenge to solve. The next step is usually to visualise the data using either Microsoft Excel or PowerBI. In addition to the technical problem solving, the role is quite client-facing, and you often get the opportunity to create slide decks and take on a more consulting role. Ultimately, when someone buys their favourite snack on special at Woolworths, there's a chance that decision was influenced by insights our team helped uncover, and I think it’s exciting to be part of that process.

What's your background?

I was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Australia when I was eight years old, subsequently attending both school and university in Sydney. During high school, I gravitated naturally toward STEM subjects, particularly Mathematics and Physics, though like many students, I wasn't entirely sure about my career path. I was extremely close to studying Space Engineering, but in the end, chose Actuarial Studies at UNSW, attracted by its blend of mathematical rigor and business applications.

During my time at university, I completed a few actuarial internships at PwC, NDIA, and Suncorp, and had amazing experiences. Out of these, the work I enjoyed the most was a Natural Perils Pricing project at Suncorp – a project that used Python and was extremely technical with a focus on code optimisation. This experience helped me realise that the part of the job I enjoyed the most was the more technical, data-driven side of things. This was also reflected in the courses I enjoyed the most at UNSW, including courses on Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and even an Introduction to Computer Science (which I took as an elective). Ultimately, these opportunities helped develop my passion for coding.

Looking back - from those initial STEM subjects to my current role as a Graduate Analyst at Quantium, where I've spent the past year - it has been an organic progression toward data analytics. While I'm still early in my career, I'm grateful for how these experiences have shaped my understanding of what truly energizes me professionally.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, definitely! A lot of people starting out as a Graduate have never coded before and the onboarding process does a great job of catching you up to speed. One of the things that I love about Quantium is the comprehensive training program, setting you up for future success. The company invests heavily in developing talent, providing resources like DataCamp licenses for technical upskilling. The main qualities you should have are an interest in numbers, the curiosity to ask why, and an eagerness to learn.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is how the firm embraces change and uncertainty. In particular, I think our adoption of GenAI has been extremely impressive, with a clear company focus on upskilling. This has been done through a variety of pathways, whether it be a GenAI Hackathon, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) where you can work on projects you’re interested in, or even meetings focused on how other team members are using GenAI to work more efficiently. It really makes you feel like you’re able to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technological advances in the industry.

What are the limitations of your job?

The biggest limitation, in particular for my team, is that while we have access to vast datasets, our project scope is often constrained by commercial realities and client priorities. Most engagements focus on picking the low hanging fruit rather than exploring cutting-edge AI solutions. This pragmatic approach makes sense - clients typically prefer proven methodologies that address immediate challenges over more experimental, resource-intensive initiatives. If you're keen to work with cutting-edge machine learning, you'll need to create those opportunities yourself, often emerging through self-initiated projects or extracurricular initiatives. 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Have fun and enjoy life: Pick up hobbies and spend time with your friends! One of the best times of my life was when I went on Exchange to Edinburgh in my final year. Remember that there’s no point in earning money, if you don’t have anything to spend it on.
2. The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding: Just do the work.
3. Look forward: Life's too short to replay old mistakes or stress about things beyond your control. Focus on what you can shape today, not what you wish you'd done differently yesterday.