Michelle Delves

Analytics Engineer at Air New Zealand
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at University of Auckland

Working at Air New Zealand offers the unique opportunity to understand the 'why' behind the various elements that make an airline function, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how my contributions help achieve broader business goals.

What's your job about?

Air New Zealand is the national carrier with the ambition to be the world’s leading digital airline. I am proud to be an Analytics Engineer in the Analytics and AI Chapter that helps make this ambition a reality. My role is to ingest and clean data sets to end users, modelling data in a way that empowers end users to answer their own questions.

My day-to-day responsibilities are to ingest data from different business applications and platforms into our modern data platform on Snowflake via a variety of ingestion patterns. Once the data is available, I build data products in Snowflake which deliver value by helping people make informed decisions that drive business growth. There are many different methods that can be used so I also help conduct crucial analyses to ensure that any new and existing solutions maximise business value.

In addition to the day-to-day, the graduate programme organises familiarisation experiences that provide us with valuable insights into various parts of the business that we might not encounter in our everyday roles. Furthermore, the employee networks host a diverse array of events that foster a welcoming atmosphere for all. Coupled with flight perks and the flexibility of work locations and hours, these aspects not only contribute to a great work-life balance but also highlight how the work I do has a real impact on the broader business landscape and world.

What's your background?

I am English/Taiwanese, was born and raised in the UAE, and moved to New Zealand in 2017. At university, I studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) specialising in Engineering Science while also working part time as a Music Tutor. With travelling since childhood igniting my love for new cultures & adventures, and the aviation world connecting us to often distant family, stumbling upon the 2024 Digital Graduate Role Advertisements at Air New Zealand felt like destiny calling. My aim is to make a real difference, and I believe my work at Air New Zealand is the way to do it, just as it once inspired me.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Absolutely! Analytics Engineering is very different from what I learnt at university so I had to do a lot of upskilling, and I will need to continue to do so with the ever-evolving nature of the technology landscape. If you have a background in technology, are interested in data/software, enjoy collaborative problem-solving, and can see the big picture, you'll excel in this role.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

Working at Air New Zealand offers the unique opportunity to understand the 'why' behind the various elements that make an airline function and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how my contributions help achieve broader business goals. Engaging directly with stakeholders, receiving firsthand feedback on my works impact in the field and observing how data can improve people's lives is truly rewarding. Knowing my work has a national and sometimes international reach is an extraordinary feeling too.

What are the limitations of your job?

The challenges of my role include a steep learning curve and a fast-paced environment. When technical issues arise, such as application downtime or data ingestion and product issues, they can significantly impact business operations and customer satisfaction. Building brand loyalty is a time-intensive process that can be undermined incredibly quickly by such incidents. Adapting to these high-pressure situations requires an adaptable, ambitious, and perseverant mindset, coupled with a commitment to continuous learning.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

Seize any opportunities you can. If you don’t vouch for yourself no one else will.
Give everything you take on your all, nothing is worse than looking back and wondering.. ‘what if’.
You are your own worst critic. Be kinder to yourself, you are doing the best you can.