How data analytics consultants work with clients to deliver outcomes | What does a data analytics consultant do in complex organisations? | FAQs about data analytics consulting and careers
TL;DR
Notitia Analytics Consultant Jessica Molina Calabrese shares how her global engineering background shapes her approach to data analytics. Her work focuses on transforming complex data into practical, scalable solutions that support real-world decision-making.
Working in data and analytics is rarely just about the data. For Jess it’s about understanding the full system behind it, the business, the constraints, and the decisions that need to be made.
“Now I mostly work with data that helps clients make decisions for the future. We transform, model and visualise data so leaders can clearly understand what's happening in their organisation," she says.
Jessica recently wrote an article for TechDay Australia article, reflecting on her journey from global engineering roles into data analytics in Australia, and how that experience shapes the way she approaches complex problems.
A global path into data and analytics
Jessica’s career spans multiple countries, industries and technical environments. From early work in Argentina’s oil and gas sector to engineering roles in the United States, and now consulting in Australia, her experience has been shaped by systems that need to work reliably at scale.
“Moving countries mid-career became an opportunity for me to apply a decade of global engineering experience in a new context," Jess says.
These environments demanded precision. They were often tied directly to operations — where data wasn’t just informative, it was critical to performance.
“Starting out in the oil and gas industry as a software engineer, I built transactional systems that processed real-time data to manage production environments," she says.
That foundation continues to influence how she approaches data today.
From engineering to analytics: understanding what matters
Transitioning into data analytics didn’t mean leaving engineering behind, it meant applying it differently.
“Software engineering and data analytics are complementary. In both roles, you must deeply understand the requirements before building something useful," Jess says.
This principle sits at the core of her work, she says. Before building dashboards, reports or data models, the focus is on understanding what the organisation actually needs — and why. At Notitia, this translates into work that goes beyond surface-level reporting, helping organisations interpret data in a way that supports decision-making.
Why systems thinking changes everything
One of the biggest shifts in Jess’ approach has been moving from solving isolated technical problems to understanding entire systems.
“Earlier in my career, I would focus very closely on solving the immediate technical problem. Now I step back and look at the full system," she says.
This shift is critical in modern data environments. Data rarely sits in one place. It moves across systems, teams and processes. Without understanding how those pieces connect, even technically correct solutions can fall short, she says.
“Look at the bigger picture. Sometimes focusing on five per cent of the problem means you miss the other 95 per cent.”
Solving complex problems with simple solutions
In many data projects, complexity builds quickly — multiple data sources, changing requirements and evolving business needs. Jess’ approach is to simplify where possible.
“I’m challenged to find simple solutions to complex problems. Clients are often surprised when something that feels complicated can be addressed with a straightforward and scalable approach," she says.
This is where experience plays a key role. Understanding patterns, constraints and system behaviour allows problems to be broken down into manageable parts — often revealing simpler paths forward.
The reality of working in data projects
Data and analytics work isn’t static. Projects often involve tight timelines, shifting dependencies and multiple stakeholders.
Success depends on how well teams anticipate and manage that complexity, Jess says
“When you understand the tools and the data environment well, you can anticipate potential risks. That allows you to create workarounds early, or at least clearly communicate those risks.”
This proactive approach reduces disruption and keeps projects moving. It also builds trust with clients — something Jessica consistently emphasises in her work.
Why collaboration drives better outcomes
Working closely with clients is central to Notitia, Jess says.
“What I like most about it is the opportunity to collaborate closely with our clients, to understand their challenges, and find solutions that drive their success," she says.
"This direct engagement allows solutions to be tailored, not just technically, but operationally.
"It ensures the work delivered actually fits within the organisation and can be used effectively."
From data to real-world impact
At its core, Jess says the work is about turning data into something useful.
“I love technology and the challenge of solving problems… creating something new from data… genuinely helps someone to do their job better," she says.
This is where data analytics moves beyond reporting.
It becomes a tool for:
- Understanding performance
- Identifying opportunities
- Supporting decisions
- Improving outcomes
How Notitia supports data-driven outcomes
At Notitia, consultants like Jessica work across complex environments where data is often fragmented across systems.
Projects typically involve:
- Data transformation and modelling
- Building scalable data pipelines
- Designing dashboards and reports
- Supporting executive and operational decision-making
Across industries including healthcare, government, not for profit, private and FMCG, the goal remains consistent: Make data usable, meaningful and actionable. That requires both technical capability and a strong understanding of how organisations actually operate.
Looking ahead: building confidence through experience
Jess' journey reflects a broader theme seen across Notitia’s team, confidence comes from experience, not certainty. Her advice for those entering data or engineering roles is grounded in that reality.
“Zoom out, understand the system, and build something that truly solves the problem," she says.
FAQs about data analytics careers
What does a data analytics consultant do?
A data analytics consultant helps organisations transform raw data into insights by building models, reports and visualisations that support decision-making.
What skills are important in data analytics?
Strong problem-solving, systems thinking, communication and the ability to understand business requirements are key.
How do you approach complex data problems?
By stepping back to understand the full system, identifying the real problem and then breaking it into manageable parts.
Why is systems thinking important in data projects?
Because data exists across multiple systems and processes. Without understanding how they connect, solutions may not deliver meaningful outcomes.
