How to Apply for Black Swan Data Ltd Internship 2022-2023

Insights Intern

at Black Swan Data Ltd (View all jobs)

In a turbulent and fast-changing marketplace, the old world of traditional consumer research is no longer enough. Where there were slow and pre-emptive questionnaires and surveys, now there’s big data, machine learning and predictive analytics. For some, it’s unknown territory. For Black Swan Data, it’s unprecedented possibilities.

Black Swan Data is on a mission to revolutionize Insights & Innovation through the power of Social Prediction. Using sophisticated data science and AI techniques, we unlock social data’s potential to understand, connect and predict consumer behavior more accurately and further ahead than before.

Our TRENDSCOPE SaaS platform enables brands to apply Social Prediction to their business and deliver faster, better, and more successful new product innovation launches. It puts the power of trend prediction at our user’s fingertips and is central to how we turn trend intelligence into a competitive advantage for global giants like PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, P&G, Danone, and Coty.

We’re fast movers. Since 2011, we’ve spread our wings across the UK, Hungary, USA, and South Africa. Today our team of around 150 Swans (and counting) includes data scientists, developers, insights consultants, analysts, designers, engineers, and marketers.

But first, we’re entrepreneurs and champions of change who thrive on moving fast and breaking new ground. In 2015 we were awarded the Sunday Times #1 Fastest Growing Start-Up. In 2016 we were named the UK’s Fastest Growing Exporter. And in both 2017 and 2018, we ranked high in the Financial Times 1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies. Since we’ve been recognized by Deloitte Fast 50 and the London Stock Exchange for our cutting-edge technology and innovative approach.

Now is a great opportunity to join our rapidly growing data and technology SaaS business which is led by an experienced and inspiring management team. We’re passionate about what we do and committed to disrupting and driving industry change, so if you’re an enthusiastic team player and go-getter we want to hear from you.

“The best way to predict your future is to invent it.” 

Peter Drucker

The Role:

An exciting internship opportunity has opened at Black Swan Data. The internship is part of Black Swan Data’s Accelerator Programme. The Accelerator Programme provides top talent with an aptitude for data analysis and delivering consumer insights an opportunity to pave a career path within the Insights team. 

The program facilitates a 3-year career trajectory within the team. The Accelerator Programme starts off with the internship phase and if successfully completed, there is great potential to move to the next phases of the program, which sees the team member moving into the Insights Associates phase (levels II and III), and finally onto the final phase, the Insights Consultants phase (levels I, II and III).  The diagram below shows the trajectory of the program:

As an Intern on the Accelerator Programme, you will work across some interesting client issues and expand your knowledge of how social research and data science can be used to replace traditional research approaches with Black Swan. 

During the six months, you spend as an intern in the Insights team, you will get to experience a unique research approach that allows us to gain a truer understanding of consumers. Expect to engage in a creative research process where analytical rigor is almost equally as important as curiosity about the world. You will be part of an engaging, fast-paced environment, working within a dynamic and social team. 

During the internship you will primarily be working on market research projects, answering client briefs on consumer attitudes and behaviors by applying quantitative and qualitative research techniques to our social datasets to analyze data, identify trends, understand consumers’ interests and present the findings. You will also support the Insight Consultants and Directors on projects and tasks across a large client range.

What you will be doing and learning:

• Working with large datasets to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Identifying data trends and consumer behaviors that our clients can act on.
• Learning how to articulate insights and produce reports.
• Supporting the Insights associates, consultants, and directors with internal and external client meetings debriefs, and presentations.
• Playing an active role in sharing key learnings and best practices both informally and in a team sharing sessions.
• Working with Trendscope (our software product) to be able to navigate and articulate its purpose and be able to use the tool for analysis and reporting.
• Learn and work with an array of data tools to produce outputs, troubleshoot, and be able to provide the necessary support and analysis.

About you:

• Recent under or post-graduate in Business Science/management, Marketing/marketing management, BCom, Social Sciences, or relevant academic or work experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Strong computer skills including expertise in Excel and MS office. 
• Feel comfortable working with large volumes of Excel data.
• Strong analytics, report writing, and the ability to narrate data. 
• Interest in understanding consumer attitudes & behavior, and wider cultural trends
• The ability to deliver and put together professional and visually compelling presentations.
• Feel comfortable and confident in delivering presentations to clients.
• Interest in product innovation and new technologies.
• Able to learn and pick up new tools and processes quickly.
• Curious and asks the right questions.
• Take accountability and ownership for the tasks assigned to you.
• Proactive and know when to ask for help.
• Great time management skills.
• Passionate and committed to the team and the work you’ll engage in.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Ability to work in a flexible and agile work environment.

What makes a Swan? 

We want people fanatical about creating innovative solutions inspired by data. We know Black Swan’s DNA is different, it’s what helps us find new perspectives on our clients’ problems. Working in a fast-paced, energized environment, our bar is set high, and an ability to build long-lasting partnerships both internally and externally is vital.

We have made a difference at our core and that is embedded in our values.

• We believe in long-term partnerships through transparency and honesty
• We believe in leaving the world in a better place than we found it
• We believe anyone can achieve great things. We do not put people in boxes
• We listen more than we talk
• We think 10% crazy is just about right!
• Most importantly, and because you spend 60% of your waking time at work, we believe you should enjoy it

What do We offer?

Hybrid Working – up to 60% of your working hours every month can be done remotely and the other 40% in our Cape Town Hub. 

Exciting Clients and Projects - Working with Black Swan Data we promise to provide an exciting and ever-changing industry within Data Science and Predictive Analysis innovative and challenging projects with some of the leading Brands using the industry’s latest technologies.

Talented Teams - We ensure we have the best talent in the market – We hire the best of the best as a swan you are exposed to highly skilled and multi-disciplined teams over the world. We have 8 offices across 4 countries!

Career Development - Regardless of which area of the business you work in you can expect to collaborate on all aspects of Black Swan Data’s projects gaining the exposure you need to develop your expertise. No matter what stage you are in your career your development is our priority.

Working environment – Because you spend 60% of your time at work, we try to make it enjoyable! You will benefit from our global benefits: Share options, staff referral scheme, wellness day, flexible and remote working, internal and online training initiatives, volunteering opportunities at the white swan, birthday lie-in, Christmas gift cards, quarterly staff events, sunshine hours and Flexible Leave Policy.

As well as the benefits unique to our Cape Town office - Pension & Risk benefits, medical aid contribution, enhanced maternity & paternity leave, parking, breakfast, drinks & snacks, fun Fridays, yoga, and meditation sessions. 

We want to positively change the future through technology and the power of prediction. How about you?