Entry-level positions for aspiring Data Analysts at University of San Diego
Christian, a Data Analytics and Reporting Manager at University of San Diego, admits that the data field is tough to break into due to saturation from diverse backgrounds and recommends aspiring data analysts pursue internships to gain experience and showcase their work through a portfolio to demonstrate competence. They suggest "be able to show, showcase your work" like through a portfolio "so the employer knows that you know what you're talking about".
Entry-Level Data Analysis, Internship Opportunities, Skills Portfolio, Job Market Competition, Cross-Disciplinary Career Paths
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christian Guerra
Data Analytics and Reporting Manager
University of San Diego
Cal State University Los Angeles
UC Riverside - PhD
Anthropology, Sociology, Criminal Justice
Education
Data and Analytics
Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level data analyst roles are limited and competitive due to the popularity of data science and the diverse range of academic backgrounds of applicants.
2. Internships are crucial for gaining experience and potentially leading to entry-level positions; shadowing experienced analysts is highly recommended.
3. Building a portfolio with data visualizations and projects on platforms like GitHub or a personal website is essential to demonstrate competence to potential employers.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider?
Unfortunately, there aren't that many opportunities. The job market is tough, and some would say the industry is saturated.
Data analysts are everywhere, and data science has exploded in the last five to ten years. It's a very hot career to get into.
The money is good, which attracts many people, and it attracts people from various majors. That's another issue. You'll find people from finance, computer science, statistics, and engineering entering this field.
If I had to give advice for an entry-level position, I'd recommend doing an internship, specifically a summer internship as a data analyst. Try to shadow someone in the role and learn as much as you can.
If you do a good job, you might get hired at an entry-level position. Also, be able to showcase your work with a portfolio. This could include your data graphs or projects you've completed on GitHub or your own website.
This allows employers to see that you know what you're talking about and are competent enough for the role.