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Dennis, Data Analyst at Fortune 100 Tech Company: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career journey, starting with a business management degree and unexpectedly leading to a data analyst position at a Fortune 100 tech company, is detailed in this interview.
The path included diverse roles at a law firm, production company, and Teach for America, showcasing adaptability and a non-linear career progression.
The interviewee's current role involves market compensation analysis, SQL querying, and insightful presentations, highlighting crucial technical skills and the importance of problem-solving and independent learning.
A key takeaway is the surprising variability in compensation practices across companies, and the vital lesson of recognizing when a role no longer supports growth.
Success in the tech industry, the interviewee suggests, stems from curiosity, a growth mindset, and proactive networking, lessons learned both professionally and through student organization involvement.
Finally, the interviewee shares how navigating perceptions of identity shaped their authentic leadership style and provided a valuable lesson in self-advocacy.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dennis Pham
Data Analyst
Fortune 100 Tech Company
San Diego State University 2009
None
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin
Technology
Data and Analytics
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Data Analyst At A Fortune 100 Tech Company
Dennis's career path is notably non-linear, starting with a "records clerk" role at a law firm after graduating with a business management degree from San Diego State University and including various roles such as an internship at a production company and eight years at Teach for America, where Dennis progressed from "finance coordinator" to the analytics team; this eventually led to roles at Meta and Cisco, culminating in Dennis's current position as a data analyst on Cisco's competition team.
Main Responsibilities of a Data Analyst at Cisco
Dennis, a Data Analyst on the Market Intelligence team at a Fortune 100 tech company, analyzes market compensation data to ensure alignment with company strategy, pulling "reports and survey data" and comparing it to current staff pay. This role also involves technical responsibilities such as building "SQL queries" to provide specific data cuts for client teams.
A Day In The Life Of A Data Analyst At A Fortune 100 Tech Company
A data analyst's day-to-day tasks vary greatly, depending on the "season" and client requests; some days involve quickly answering questions with a "direct message," while other days require compiling extensive analyses into presentations for "a bigger decision-making team." The overarching goal is to use available data sets to provide insightful answers and support client needs.
Most Important Skills For A Data Analyst At Fortune 100 Tech Company
Dennis, a data analyst, highlights Excel navigation and SQL query writing as crucial technical skills, noting that even basic "select statements" and "join queries" are valuable. The ability to learn independently, driven by "curiosity," is equally important, as demonstrated by their self-taught expertise.
Favorite Parts of Being a Data Analyst at a Tech Company
Dennis, a data analyst, most enjoys the "problem-solving aspect" of the role, appreciating that there is no single "right answer" and that each analyst's approach, while differing, yields valuable insights. This autonomy and the opportunity to provide "different cuts and different perspectives" are key aspects of the work that Dennis finds rewarding.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Data Analyst At A Fortune 100 Tech Company
A major challenge for Dennis, a Data Analyst at a Fortune 100 tech company, is data availability, stating that "sometimes the question that you have to answer requires a level of data maturity that a lot of companies don't have". This necessitates problem-solving skills, including determining if "can I get that data? ... is there some sort of source to pull from and then merge everything?", and potentially advocating for improved company resources to better support data analysis.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Industry as a Data Analyst
Dennis enjoys the tech industry because data is highly valued, making the work "impactful," and because there are "always new projects" and questions to answer, keeping the work fresh and engaging. This constant influx of new challenges aligns well with their career as a data analyst.
What Type of Person Thrives in Tech According to a Data Analyst at a Tech Giant
Dennis, a data analyst, suggests a "general curiosity to learn and progress" is key to thriving in the tech industry, emphasizing a desire for self-improvement and challenging the status quo, noting that this growth mindset translates to company success and can manifest in various roles, from individual contributor to people leader.
What A Data Analyst At A Big Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Tech Industry
Dennis, a data analyst, found the compensation practices varied significantly across companies, noting "things are done totally differently here," a surprising aspect of the role. This experience highlights the importance of understanding the diverse approaches within even sub-sectors of an industry for career development and adaptation.
Significant Career Lesson From A Data Analyst At A Fortune 100 Tech Company
Dennis's most significant career lesson is recognizing when a role no longer facilitates growth, noting that "if you feel like you have the space...to grow, um, but you're not getting it, then that would be a good time to start looking elsewhere". This necessitates actively networking and taking advantage of opportunities, even if already content in their current position, to build beneficial relationships which can lead to future career advancement.
College Experiences That Helped A Data Analyst At Fortune 100 Tech Company Succeed
Dennis's involvement in the CSU Ambassadors student organization at San Diego State University proved pivotal, leading to connections that shaped their career path; this experience taught the importance of networking and building relationships, highlighting that "people are willing to help each other," and demonstrating the value of proactively building a professional network.
How Identity Has Influenced a Data Analyst's Career at a Fortune 100 Tech Company
Dennis's experience as an Asian American male in the tech industry challenged initial perceptions of "hard worker, but not necessarily a leader," prompting an initial overcompensation to fit stereotypical leadership molds. However, Dennis ultimately discovered a more authentic leadership style, defining success on their own terms and advocating for themselves while recognizing that "leadership looks different in so many ways."
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