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David, Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company: Advize Career Interview

A career path unexpectedly leading from economics at UCLA and wealth management at Wells Fargo to a Data Solutions Analyst position at The Walt Disney Company, highlights the value of adaptability.

This role involves partnering with sales teams, understanding client data needs, and preparing data offerings using various sources.

A typical day includes addressing data capabilities, collaborating with advertisers to achieve advertising goals, and numerous meetings.

Success requires simplifying complex technical information, strong communication, and an ability to navigate a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

The most rewarding aspects include working with diverse advertisers, early access to new releases, and contributing to successful campaigns. The industry's tech aspect and constant evolution are also appealing.

Ambition, salesmanship, and a constant learning mindset are key traits. Balancing client-facing and technical skills is crucial. Entry-level positions often begin in campaign planning, building a foundation in advertising fundamentals.

Being coachable and developing strong networking skills through diverse involvement, as seen through participation in college clubs and organizations, are invaluable.

Finally, a strong work ethic, perhaps inspired by family's hard work, fuels career success, although achieving work-life balance is an ongoing learning process.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

David Villalobos

Data Solutions Analyst

The Walt Disney Company

UCLA

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Economics

Advertising, Communications & Marketing

Data and Analytics

Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student

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Career Path of a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company

David's career path took an unexpected turn; after studying economics at UCLA and working in wealth management at Wells Fargo for two years, a "bit of luck" led to a Data Solutions Analyst position at The Walt Disney Company, requiring a significant "learning curve" and the acquisition of entirely new skills. This demonstrates the value of adaptability and open-mindedness in navigating a career.

Main Responsibilities of a Data Solutions Analyst at Disney

As a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, David's main responsibility is partnering with the sales team to understand client data needs. This involves preparing data offerings using "proprietary data, using third party syndicated data or even using their own data," ensuring clients receive the necessary resources for their advertising campaigns.

A Day In The Life Of A Data Solutions Analyst At Disney

A Data Solutions Analyst at Disney Advertising spends the day addressing questions about data capabilities, specifically concerning "what we can and can't do from a data perspective," and collaborating with advertisers, understanding "their KPIs," to help achieve advertising goals on Disney's digital platforms. This involves numerous advertiser meetings and second-party data activations.

Most Important Skills for a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, emphasizes the crucial skill of simplifying complex technical information "in the easiest way possible to understand," catering to audiences with varying data literacy levels—a skill especially valuable in communicating data insights to clients and sales teams. This highlights the importance of effective communication and bridging the gap between technical expertise and business understanding in their role.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Data Solutions Analyst At The Walt Disney Company

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, most enjoys "work[ing] with all different types of advertisers across all industries," gaining early access to "new movie[s]" and product launches before public release to understand their marketing strategies. This provides unique insight into upcoming campaigns and allows David to contribute significantly to their success.

Biggest challenges faced by a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, cites the fast-paced nature of the industry as a significant challenge, noting that campaigns often have "very little margin for error" due to tight deadlines requiring technical solutions to be implemented in a short timeframe. This highlights the pressure to ensure accuracy and efficiency within demanding project timelines.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Industry as a Data Solutions Analyst

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at Disney, appreciates the "tech aspect" of the advertising industry, citing the constantly evolving digital landscape and new platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. This allows David to witness firsthand and contribute to adapting to the changing market with new products and solutions.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry According To A Data Solutions Analyst At Disney

Data Solutions Analyst David at The Walt Disney Company highlights ambition and salesmanship as crucial traits for success in advertising, noting that the "ever-changing industry" demands a constant learning mindset. The ability to articulate one's capabilities is key, even when, as David suggests, "Disney sells itself a bit".

What A Data Solutions Analyst At The Walt Disney Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Data Industry

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, learned the importance of balancing "client facing" and "technical" skills in the role—a crucial aspect that wasn't initially apparent. This highlights the need for a blended skillset in data analysis roles, requiring individuals to be both technically proficient and adept at communication and collaboration.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Advertising Campaign Planners at Disney

Entry-level Data Solutions Analysts at The Walt Disney Company often begin in campaign planning, "setting up these campaigns for advertisers," learning the fundamentals before advancing to more strategic roles. A foundational understanding of the advertising world, including programmatic, direct, and PMP advertising, is beneficial for those seeking such positions.

Significant Career Lesson From a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company

David, a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company, emphasizes the importance of being "coachable" as a significant career lesson, particularly given a career change. This ability to accept and learn from feedback has been instrumental in David's career progression.

College Experiences That Helped a Data Solutions Analyst at The Walt Disney Company Succeed

David's success stemmed from UCLA involvement in "different clubs, different organizations," fostering broad networking and communication skills. This ability to connect with diverse individuals, "people a lot older than you, maybe people a lot younger than you," proved invaluable in navigating the collaborative nature of the career at The Walt Disney Company.

How Identity Has Influenced a Data Solutions Analyst at Disney's Career

David's Hispanic and Latino heritage instilled a strong work ethic, stemming from observing the hardworking nature of his parents' service jobs and their sacrifices. This has driven David's career, though the analyst is still learning "that on and off switch," balancing the ingrained drive with the need for work-life balance.

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