Intersecting Industries: How Leah Stucky Upskilled and Applied Data Analytics to Property Management

After working in the restaurant industry and property management for a number of years, Leah Stucky was well versed in customer-facing roles. But when data analytics started trickling into her work as an assistant portfolio manager at a property management company, she knew it was time to pivot in her career. 

“Very basic data analytics started coming my way, and I discovered how much I enjoyed it,” she said. “I had always wanted to pursue a different career — and it made me realize I wasn’t satisfied with customer-facing environments anymore.”

Determined to waste no time making the change, Leah enrolled in the University of Denver Data Analytics Boot Camp.

Switching gears 

“I hadn’t done any coding prior to the program, so it was one of the biggest leaps I’ve taken in my life,” Leah said. She decided to keep working full-time in property management until she was better equipped to pursue a new role. 

At first, learning new material proved challenging with a full-time job. “I felt like I was just trying to stay afloat,” she explained. With support from her instructors and TAs, Leah made the most of the transition. 

“My instructor was very engaging and knowledgeable. The TAs were particularly helpful, considering they were all industry professionals with first-hand experience.” 

Their insight encouraged her to practice her new skills in her existing job. 

“My company didn’t require this knowledge, but I kept finding projects for myself anyway,” she said. “I was fascinated by web scraping, so I built a little market survey tool for myself. I realized it could expand to help the company on a global level.” 

By taking initiative in her current role, Leah exemplified leadership qualities that the boot camp quickly noticed. 

Emerging as a leader 

“The instructional team reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be a TA. I was still working in property management and beginning my new job search with little success. I was excited to use my skills and help others do the same,” she said.

While promoting a comfortable learning environment for students, she also fine-tuned her own understanding of the material. “Helping students troubleshoot their code made me stronger,” she noted. 

Leah continued pursuing new roles, equipped with the knowledge and support of the boot camp. 

“One-on-one talks with the career advisors were so motivating, especially at the height of [the COVID-19 pandemic] when the job market wasn’t particularly encouraging,” she said. 

Her perseverance and patience were rewarded when she landed a new data analyst position at Monarch Investment and Management Group, a company that specializes in acquisition and management of income-producing real estate. 

Coming full circle 

Ironically, Leah’s new job marked a return to property management. Her prior knowledge of the industry, combined with her new understanding of data analytics, made her the ideal candidate for the role. 

“I was not expecting to get a job right away, so I am very excited to have made it this far,” she said.“ This is the first career path I have chosen specifically for myself and my interests rather than the need to make money.”

Leah’s journey is an essential reminder that it’s never too late to start fresh. With help from the University of Denver’s Data Analytics Boot Camp, Leah emerged as a leader and found her way back to property management in a new, more energizing capacity. 

Interested in pivoting your career? Explore University of Denver Boot Camps in coding, data analytics, UX/UI, and cybersecurity today.