Prepared, Not Panicked: How One Analyst Builds Confidence Through Presentation Prep

From sari-sari store interviews to script rehearsals, this alum shares how she transformed public speaking into a strength

Some people are born confident presenters. Others build the skill—slide by slide, draft by draft, moment by nerve-wracking moment.

For this FTW alum, preparation is everything.

“Thorough preparation is my key to confidence,” Julia says. And after hearing her process, you’ll understand why.

Why Preparation Became Her Superpower

As a career shifter and a woman entering the male-dominated world of data, Julia knew she was stepping into rooms where few looked or spoke like her.

“I’m that girl in the room without 10+ years of programming or data experience,” she says. “So I arm myself with a lot of studying.”

English didn’t come naturally to her as a child either, so being spontaneous during presentations felt more like a setup for failure than a display of flair.

“Especially on topics na baguhan ako, I just learned to prepare a lot. I couldn’t feel down or sulk about it—that’s part of the journey.”

Julia admits she wasn’t always this intentional. In fact, she used to be a crammer. “But throughout many presentations, I had to learn the hard way—if I don’t prepare, waley talaga. Haha.”

The Art of Going All In

She doesn’t just skim her slides. She dives deep—studying the data, understanding the formulas, writing a full script (and editing it multiple times), and even anticipating the Q&A.

Once, when presenting to a cigarette company, she realized she had zero knowledge about the product. So she did what any self-respecting data professional with a storytelling goal would do:

“I went to around 10 sari-sari stores to interview tinderas about their yosi. I studied the packs per brand, interviewed my relatives who smoked—just so I could connect with the audience’s world.”

Some might call that over-the-top. She calls it necessary. “OA? Maybe. But I never want to waste the opportunity to tell a clear, powerful story.”

Failing Forward

Julia remembers a moment at FTW when things didn’t go as planned.

“I did so badly during the impromptu speaking activity. Maybe I was nervous or just having a bad day? I could’ve sulked, but instead I learned something valuable: I don’t do well when I’m thrown into things unprepared. And that’s okay.”

That experience stuck. “Not everyone’s super gifted. But if I want to succeed, I need to prepare. Thankfully, that mindset has taken me to places.”

Her Advice for Terrified Presenters

“Know the difference between talent and skill,” she says. “Talent is inborn. Skill is built. Just because you’re bad at something now doesn’t mean it’s not for you.”

For those who feel like public speaking isn’t in their cards, she offers both empathy and encouragement:

“I didn’t have the talent, but I had the perseverance to make up for it. You can build the skill over time. It’s a fun and fulfilling journey.”

And even if you mess up? “Worst case, you’ll do poorly on a certain presentation. But that’s still better than being too scared to try. People move on. They forget. And you get better.”

What Makes a Data Story Stick

A great presentation, she says, isn’t about dazzling with charts. It’s about clarity and connection.

“Make the boring numbers relatable,” she explains. “Tailor the story depending on who’s listening. A CEO, a marketer, a fellow analyst—they all need different things.”

But the most important piece?

“Know the action you want from your audience before you start. Otherwise, your presentation won’t answer the ‘so what now?’”

Help More Women Find Their Voice in Tech

Julia’s story is one of courage, clarity, and a lot of practice. With your support, FTW can continue opening doors for women to break into tech, find their voice, and tell the stories that move industries forward.

Donate today and help write the next story:

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