Can you start a Data Internship without a technical degree?
Hajira entered her internship without a technical background and left with practical data skills, greater confidence and an exciting new perspective.
Read time:
5 min
No, you do not need a tech degree to begin exploring a career in data. Grab a drink and read my whole journey below!
I joined binary10 with an Economics degree, an interest in data and very little practical experience with SQL or Power BI. Four weeks later, I had completed two data migration projects, developed new technical skills and discovered that data is about much more than numbers. - Hajira Asghar, Data Services Intern at binary10
I didn’t come from a heavily technical background…
If you had asked me a few years ago whether I could see myself completing a Data Services internship, I probably would not have been certain.
I recently graduated from the University of Reading with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Although my degree introduced me to data analysis, most of my studies were not focused on the technical world. I was interested in data, but I did not have the same background as someone who had spent years studying Computer Science or software development.
My interest in data began during the second year of my degree, when I took an econometrics module and completed an individual project using RStudio. It stood out from my other modules because it involved coding, which was something different and new for me. I enjoyed using data to explore questions and reach conclusions, and it made me curious about what else I could do with those skills.
That university experience built my confidence and made me want to learn more!
Why did I apply for a Data Services internship?
I applied for the binary10 Data Services Internship because I saw it as an opportunity to develop both my professional and technical skills.
My Economics degree had given me some exposure to data, but only a smaller glimpse into the technical side of working with it. I wanted to understand how coding worked in a business environment and gain experience with tools such as SQL and Power BI.
But the main thing was their culture on the website caught my attention.
One of the values that stood out to me was “people working with people.” That was important because I believe strong relationships matter, whether you are collaborating with colleagues, working as part of a team or building trust with clients.
I was not applying because I already knew everything about data. I was applying because I wanted the chance to learn.
Expectations vs Reality: What a data internship is really like
Expectations | Reality |
I’d spend all day coding. Before starting, I imagined a Data Services internship would involve sitting behind a screen, writing complicated code and staring at numbers all day. Coding was definitely part of it, but the reality was much more varied | Data is about more than numbers. I learned SQL, created visual reports in Power BI and worked on real data migration projects. But I also planned tasks, presented my findings, solved problems and saw how different roles across binary10 work together. |
I needed to be a technical expert. I was slightly nervous about learning SQL because I didn’t come from a heavily technical background. | I was there to learn. I didn’t need to know everything on day one. By asking questions, practising and learning from the team, I gradually became more confident using SQL. |
The biggest lesson? You don’t need to start as an expert. Curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn can take you a long way.
Why small details make a big difference in data.
One of the things that surprised me most was the level of detail involved in data migration.
There are numerous tools and stages within the process, and even a very small issue can affect the final result. Incorrect code or a missing column can create an error and prevent the data from working as expected.
This showed me why data quality is so important.
When you first look at a table containing hundreds of rows, a small formatting issue might not seem significant. However, a target system needs the information to follow particular rules. Paying attention to the smallest details can therefore have a major impact on the result
I learned that data migration is not simply moving information from one system to another. It involves:
• Analysing the source data
• Cleansing inaccurate or unwanted information
• Mapping fields between the old and new systems
• Testing whether the transformed data works correctly
• Reconciling the results to identify any discrepancies
Learning to present, not just submit.
At university, I used to complete an assignment and submit it online or sit for an exam. I did not have as many opportunities to stand in front of other people and explain the work I had completed.
At binary10, we were regularly encouraged to present our findings and describe the steps we had taken. For almost every task, we needed to explain what we had done, what we had discovered and why we had made certain decisions. This did more than develop my presentation skills. It also showed me whether I had truly understood the task.
When I could explain something clearly, I knew that I understood it. When I struggled to explain it, I could recognise that there was still more work to do.
The support made it easier to learn.
One of the biggest surprises about binary10 was how supportive the team was.
1. Danny White supported our morning check-ins and guided us through the projects.
2. Steve Smales provided detailed teaching on SQL and recorded Microsoft Teams sessions so that we could revisit the explanations while working on our tasks.
3. Julia Carvalho helped us with meeting information and programme updates whenever we were unsure.
If I had to describe the binary10 culture in three words, I would choose:
Interconnected.
Professional.
Collaborative.
My advice for anyone considering a data internship.
If you are interested in data but do not come from a deeply technical background, please do not let that stop you from applying!
You do not have to know everything before your first day. Your enthusiasm, willingness to ask questions and openness to feedback will help you progress throughout the journey.
I would also encourage future interns to learn about the wider company, not only the tool directly in front of them.
- Ask how the organisation works with clients.
- Learn about the challenges that can arise during real projects and how the team responds to them.
Those conversations can teach you a lot about professional life and help you understand how technical work fits into a much bigger picture.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy the experience!
On my first day, the team encouraged us to gain new skills and work hard, but they also told us to have fun. That became some of the best advice I received. An internship is about the work you complete, but it is also about the people you meet, the questions you ask and the memories you create along the way.
Four weeks that changed how I see data:
I started the internship thinking that working in data would mostly involve coding.
I finished it understanding that data work is also about planning, problem-solving, communication, presentation, teamwork and attention to detail.
My internship at binary10 was challenging, practical, supportive and, most of all, memorable.
If you are thinking about applying for a data internship but are worried that your background is not technical enough, my advice is simple:
Apply anyway. You may be more capable than you realise!
Interested in starting a career in data?
Explore opportunities at binary10 and discover how you could develop practical experience across data migration, data quality and technology consulting. Follow binary10 on LinkedIn.