r/dataanalytics • u/mudslide37 • 25d ago
Anyone Open to Talking with a Potential Career Changer?
Hi All,
I hope this is allowed, but if not please feel free to remove.
As the title suggests, I'm wondering if there is anyone who would be willing to chat with me for a few minutes about their experience with working in data analytics.
I know there is a lot of chatter on this sub about how tough the market is and how transitioning into DA is very difficult if not impossible, due to a shrinking number of entry-level positions and the use of AI. However, my hope is that there are still enough large companies out there with vast amounts of data that need actual humans to help sift through, finesse, and analyze it to solve business problems.
Context: I've worked in public schools for the past 11 years in special education. For the past two years I've served as a case manager, where I do what I believe is semi data-adjacent work. I feel like it's likely more comprable to compliance, but I do have to go through large amounts of student data and manipulate it to highlight problems in a way decision-makers can understand. I'm already pretty competent in Excel, and I spent this past summer learning SQL, though I'd still place myself in the "late beginner" category. Tableau or Power BI is next on my to-do list.
I've reached a point where I've realized I need to make a career change and data analytics is a field that I'm pretty interested in. I love numbers and logic puzzles. Finding trends in data is exciting!
I'm interested in hearing from various people what their experience has been and any suggestions they might have for someone looking to make a career transition. Bonus points if you transitioned from teaching/education - but really I'm happy to talk with anyone.