John Ferro
John Paul is a Data Analyst and Instructor whose focused on passionately supporting and enabling Data Analytics students. When JP started working at Microsoft he supported various projects from the digitalization of their retail space to enabling large Azure stakeholders. Nowadays he is supporting and facilitating students in the fields of Data Analytics here at GA and helping arm the next generation of data professionals with the tools and understanding needed in our evolving educational landscape. When he isn't teaching he enjoys painting miniatures, doing 3d modeling, writing, or keeping informed on the latest in the medical and tech world.
IN CONVERSATION WITH JOHN FERRO:
What is your favorite technical skill to work with on your own projects and why?
My favorite technical skill to leverage is Power BI and Tableau customization and formatting. I find it so much more engaging to find material that is made bespoke for each and every project as opposed to materials that are the default.
What is your favorite technical skill to teach to students and why?
I deeply enjoy teaching students the fundamentals of data visualizers and engaging with a focus on data stories and how to express and explain the complications of visual medium, through artistic consideration as well as an examination into what makes something visually engaging.
What is most important to you about teaching technical skills at General Assembly?
It's deeply important to prepare and arm students moving into a modern educational and work landscape in the wake of this class with the tools and understanding needed to deal with AI, and growing tech fields. It's something I'm deeply passionate about because I grew up in times of great change and it's only going to get faster and faster.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to learn technical skills to reach new career goals?
I think the best way to gain new skills and capacities in the field is by enacting new projects as well as constantly immersing in the bleeding edge of the subject.
What would you like to highlight about your experience in your technical domain outside of teaching?
One of the best things to be aware of outside of being involved with the subject material outside of working is that data is in everything and engaging with it in all matters of your life will help you frame your world in a new lens and make you all the better at the work itself.
WHAT JOHN’S STUDENTS ARE SAYING...
”John is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever had. He really knows how to push students just enough to get them (and myself) to show their best potential.”
”He constantly encouraged the class to approach each project so to make it portfolio-ready. This helped all of us to level-set and give our best effort. JP was always kind, approachable, humorous and engaging. I think that this style of teaching is invaluable. He, like the other instructors shared a ton of industry-related experience and helped to shift our minds from "school" to "real-world" experiences.”