The Grand Mistake I Made

Morning guys,

If there’s one idea you’ll hear on the LinkedIn data community (Idk how else to describe it haha) it’s something like this:

‘get a data analysis job to get your foot in the door’

‘it’s easier to get data analysis job than a data science job’

‘Albert is so handsome and I love his tailored projects approach’

Ok maybe the last one I made up…

But you know what I mean.

Everyone thinks its easier to get into Data Analysis than Data Science.

And I can see why.

Before I wised up, I thought there was a big difference between data analysts and data scientists.

I thought technical skills had the biggest impact on your success in the job.

That’s what I focused on the most – doing Coursera courses, coding well and fun model diagnostics.

But my recent project slapped me in the face.

The whole thing made Will Smith’s incident tame.

My Job title says data scientist sure.

But I’ve become a data analyst.

Mic Drop

Yes, I still work with machine learning models.

But I mainly analyse model outputs, ask questions about them and delve into weird data issues.

Ngl my manager is an absolute pro at this.

And it’s taken me a while to catch-up.

Nobody’s perfect.

It shows the problem you’re working on is more important than your technical skills.

You need to care enough about the problem to get curious about it.

To ask the right questions about it.

To stick it out when times get tough.

That’s why the whole ‘get a data analysis job to get my foot in the door’ is bollocks.

Sure, you don’t need to learn machine learning (even though it only takes a few hours).

But you’re not working backwards from the end goal – using data to solve problems.

You need a tailored approach.

Pick problems you wanna work in, then build your ‘data analysis’ or ‘data science skills’.

None of this ‘applying for hundreds of jobs’ crap.

Dial down on the ones you love and put some effort into them.

Rant over.

Now let me enjoy my overpriced Gail’s coffee in peace.

P.S.

If you’re looking to make more connections on LinkedIn I’ve just built my value-based networking guide.

I’m giving 3 of you aspiring data professionals the chance to test it out for free.

The first 3 people to reply ‘LinkedIn friends’ will get their free copy.