Meeting Sidra Ali, BI Developer at The ai Corporation
Tell us about your journey with ai and what made you choose this area of work?
My journey with ai Corporation began three years ago when I joined this organisation as a BI Developer. From day one, I was excited by the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies that drive data-driven decision-making and innovation.
How has your role changed over the years at ai?
I was hired as part of the Solutions and Innovation Team. Over time, my role has evolved as I have taken on more responsibilities, including optimising large-scale data warehousing solutions and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful results. This growth has allowed me to deepen my expertise and contribute more strategically to solving business challenges.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually start my day with BI team standup calls, where all team members come together to discuss the status of the current sprint. During these calls, we address any blockers, outline plans of action, and identify areas where collaboration may be needed on the development side.
Once the standup is complete, I focus on checking the status of ETL processes, ensuring data pipelines are running smoothly, and validating data quality to keep everything on track. This is a critical part of my day, as it ensures the foundation of our data operations is stable and reliable.
Mid-morning is often dedicated to team meetings or brainstorming sessions. These are opportunities to discuss project goals and refine solutions to tackle business challenges more effectively. Collaborating with my colleagues in these sessions is always exciting, as it sparks innovative ideas and enhances our strategies.
In the afternoons, I dive into hands-on development work. This includes designing and optimising data models, crafting insightful dashboards, and working on the technical aspects of integration. This part of the day allows me to truly immerse myself in the work I am passionate about.
Every day is a blend of teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation, and that is what makes my role so engaging and fulfilling.
What is your team like?
I work closely with Lead BI Developer as a dynamic team for aiSmartIntelligence®. Our team thrives on collaboration and mutual support. Whether it is brainstorming innovative ideas, troubleshooting complex issues, or celebrating project milestones, we foster an open and approachable environment.
How do you ensure you keep your training and knowledge up to date?
ai provides access to leading online learning platforms such as Pluralsight and ESI: Microsoft, which have been instrumental in supporting my professional development. The organisation actively encourages certification pursuits and offers valuable training resources while fostering a culture of continuous learning and personal growth.
One notable example is my achievement of the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals Certification. With team support, I was able to allocate dedicated time to study and directly apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios, particularly in managing data pipelines and leveraging cloud-based analytics solutions.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part about my job is the variety and the opportunity to work on end-to-end data flow support in a highly collaborative team. I get to be involved in every stage of the process—from development and deployment to testing, QA’ing, and documentation. This holistic involvement not only keeps my work interesting but also gives me a deeper understanding of how everything connects, ensuring the solutions we create are seamless and efficient.
Another aspect I truly enjoy is providing training and support to extended team members. Sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and helping them grow adds a sense of fulfilment to my work. It also fosters a collaborative and learning-focused environment, which is vital for innovation.
What is your proudest moment at ai so far?
My proudest moment is still a goal towards which I am working. While I have not reached it just yet, I am continually striving to make a significant impact through the projects I am involved in.
How would you describe ai in 3 words?
Innovative, Transformative, Qualitative.
What do you enjoy most about working for ai?
One of the aspects I truly appreciate about working at ai is the non-toxic, inclusive work environment. The culture here is built on respect, transparency, and mutual support, which creates a space where everyone feels valued and encouraged to contribute their ideas.