How Luis Broke Into Sports Analytics Through the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator 

Luis Cantu is now a Data and Insights Analyst at Leeds United Football Club – a role he moved into from independent commercial consulting, with no prior background in data analytics.

The six-month LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator gave him the credibility and problem-solving mindset to help him make that shift. 

“I was looking for a strong credential, since I was moving into an area where it was not only completely new to me, but where I didn’t have experience doing data analytics.”

In a recent Ask Me Anything session, he shared the story behind his career transition, offering a candid look at the challenges and decisions that shaped his journey.

From commercial experience to a career crossroads

Luis began his career in commercial strategy and business development, working with small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK. With more than 10 years of experience, he had built a strong foundation in understanding how businesses grow and generate revenue.

But as an independent consultant, he reached a point of uncertainty. He wanted to move into a full-time role while also gaining an edge in a changing job market.

At the same time, he recognised a challenge: moving into a new field like data analytics meant starting without direct experience. That created a credibility gap he needed to close.

He explored several options, from data science to user experience, but data analytics stood out. It offered a way to combine his commercial background with a technical skill set that employers increasingly value.

Luis needed structured learning with real application built in – not just new tools, but the chance to prove he could use them.

The turning point: Learning to think like a problem solver

Enrolling in the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator marked a shift in how Luis approached his career.

While the programme introduced new tools like Tableau, Python and SQL, what stood out most was the focus on application and thinking.

He learned how tools work and how to apply them to solve real business problems. The programme encouraged reflection at every stage, helping him connect new skills to real-world contexts.

“The course is structured for you to reflect along the journey. What I’m learning here is just the first step towards learning how to use tools that I can leverage as part of my career.” 

He began to see himself as a problem solver, noting that employers value people who deliver outcomes beyond dashboards and code. 

“What people are going to be looking for is what problems you can solve…” 

That mindset was reinforced throughout the programme, especially during the Employer Project. Working on a live business challenge for six weeks, Luis had to apply everything he had learned under real-world constraints and expectations.

At one point, his team was asked to automate a key part of their solution with less than a week to deliver. Taking ownership of the task, he worked through the problem, found a solution and delivered results that impressed both the employer and his peers. 

“I made something valuable out of everything that I learned through the programme.” 

That experience proved to him that he could take on unfamiliar, complex challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes.

The outcome: A new role in sports analytics

After completing the programme, Luis successfully transitioned into a new industry. He secured a role as a Data and Insights Analyst at Leeds United Football Club, moving into the highly competitive world of sports analytics.

In his current role, he is responsible for helping the club make better commercial decisions through data.

His work includes building the data infrastructure needed to support decision making, identifying the right tools for different teams and analysing fan behaviour to drive revenue.

He described his role in simple terms: the objective is to generate value. 

For example, by analysing customer data, Luis can identify which fans are most likely to purchase different types of tickets, from general admission to premium hospitality packages. These insights help the club target the right audiences and improve commercial performance.

This is where his combined skill set makes a difference. Luis’ background in commercial strategy allows him to understand business goals, while his data skills enable him to uncover the insights needed to achieve them.

The LSE credential also played an important role in his transition.

“LSE is a strong brand, and brands still matter…It doesn’t guarantee you an interview, but it is a positive.” 

In a competitive job market, that signal helped him stand out.

Luis’s outcome reflects a broader trend among learners. According to the FourthRev Completers’ Survey, 87.5% of graduates achieved a desired career goal within six months of completing their Career Accelerator. 

More than skills: Support, confidence and community

Luis’s journey combined technical learning with structured support. 

Throughout the programme, he worked with a Success Manager, a Career Coach and Course Facilitators. He also collaborated with a global cohort of peers.

This combination created an environment where he could ask questions, test ideas, and stay motivated.

“I didn’t really feel alone at any point. You do feel that you have someone you can just send a message to.” 

Career coaching was particularly valuable. Luis’ coach challenged him to think critically about his goals, positioning, and strategy. 

When interviews did not go as planned, they worked together to analyse what happened and improve his approach.

This process helped him build not just skills, but resilience and confidence.

A new mindset for a changing world

One of the most important lessons Luis took from the programme is how to approach problems in a modern, data-driven environment.

He sees tools like AI as part of a broader toolkit that supports critical thinking. 

For him, the real value lies in asking the right questions, testing ideas, and interpreting results.

“If you go for this programme, think of it that way, that it’s going to make you a more attractive person in terms of how capable you are at dealing with challenges that come your way.” 

His advice: Invest in becoming a problem solver

For anyone considering a similar path, Luis’s advice is clear: focus on what tools enable you to do. 

“Think of it as an investment…not just in getting new skills, but building your brand towards becoming someone that can solve problems.” 

That perspective is what ultimately enabled his career transition.

Luis developed data analytics skills, along with the ability to think, act, and communicate like someone who can deliver data results. 

Ready to take the next step?

Luis’s story shows what’s possible when you combine experience with the right learning environment and support.

The LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator is designed to help you build practical technical skills, create a portfolio of real-world work, and develop the confidence to move forward in your career. If you’re ready to position yourself as a problem solver in today’s data-driven world, download the programme brochure to learn more.