As part of our university outreach campaign, we spoke with Manuela Posso Baena from Datamine’s Data & Reporting team about her experience combining academic learning with practical industry training.
Currently completing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Manuela brings a background in engineering administration and customer experience analysis, alongside a strong interest in how data can support business performance across industries such as mining.
Interview – Manuela Posso Baena
Operations Support – Data & Reporting | Datamine
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your background?
My background combines management engineering and data analytics, with a strong interest in how data supports business decisions and operational performance.
I hold a degree in Engineering Administration from the National University of Colombia, and I am currently completing a Master’s in Data Analytics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia. My professional experience includes working in customer experience and data analysis, which helped me develop a strong understanding of how data can improve business processes and customer outcomes.
What motivated you to complete technical training with Datamine?
I realised early on that data plays a critical role across many stages of the mining value chain, starting from extraction. Mining operations generate a large amount of operational and business data, and understanding how to analyse and interpret that information can help organisations make better decisions.
This motivated me to strengthen my technical skills and gain more practical experience working with data in an industry context.
What were the key technical skills you developed during your training?
During the training, I developed skills related to data analysis and business reporting, working with different data management and reporting tools. These tools help transform operational data into insights that can support decision-making and improve business visibility.
I also strengthened my ability to structure and interpret data, which is essential when working with complex operational environments.
How did the apprenticeship complement what you learned at university?
The apprenticeship allowed me to apply what I was learning at university to real projects in a professional environment. Being involved in practical work helped me better understand how data is used in real business situations.
It also encouraged me to be more careful and mindful in how I approach data and analysis, knowing that the work can have a real impact on operations and decision-making.
What did you find most valuable about the experience?
One of the most valuable aspects was understanding the customer perspective. Working with data that reflects how customers experience services can help organisations identify areas for improvement.
By analysing this information, it becomes possible to support customer success and improve overall performance.
How do you plan to apply this knowledge in your career?
I would like to continue developing my skills in data analytics and business reporting, helping organisations use data more effectively to understand their operations and improve decision-making.
My goal is to work at the intersection of data, business insights, and customer experience, where analytical insights can create real value for organisations and the people they serve.
