Podcast
Data Career Podcast: Helping You Land a Data Analyst Job FAST
Hosted by Avery Smith - Data Career Coach · EN
The Data Career Podcast: helping you break into data analytics, build your data career, and develop a personal brand
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
202: I'll Admit: Becoming a Data Analyst Isn't Sustainable Now
Mar 1700:13:26Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! The data analyst job market in 2026 is broken. Here are 5 ways to simplify the journey and land a role without burning out.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 01:02 – Fastest Way to Get Hired03:00 – Get Paid to Learn Data05:08 – Tools You Should Learn06:49 – How to ACTUALLY Land Interviews08:22 – Other Cheat Codes🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:May Cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator — Now Open🔗 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa The May cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator is officially open for enrollment. This is my comprehensive data analytics bootcamp that takes you from wherever you are to landing your first data job. Doesn't matter your background, your degree, or your experience level — we're going to help you get there. What you get: 📊 Full curriculum covering Excel, SQL, Tableau, Python, and R 🛠️ 9 real-world projects across different industries to build your portfolio 💼 LinkedIn, resume, and interview prep so you actually stand out to recruiters 🤝 Weekly office hours, coaching, and a community of 900+ aspiring analysts who are in it with you 🎓 Lifetime access — go at your pace, come back anytime May enrollment deal: 🔥 20% off when you enroll now 🎁 6 free months of my unreleased Data Portfolio Builder tool — this isn't publicly available yet, and every May cohort member gets early access The live kickoff call is with yours truly on Monday, May 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern. Make sure you're enrolled before then so you don't miss it. 👉 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa Or just click the link in the show notes down below. See you on May 11th.https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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201: What I ACTUALLY Do as a Data Analyst
Mar 1000:13:51Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! I'm a senior data analyst with 10+ years of experience and I'm breaking down exactly what I did, what tools I used, and what problems I solved across very different industries.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – What nobody tells you about data analyst work01:00 – Predicting refinery outcomes with math models04:05 – When data analytics meets machine learning07:00 – Finding needles in millions of log files09:23 – How one analysis ended up driving marketing & sales🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:May Cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator — Now Open🔗 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa The May cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator is officially open for enrollment. This is my comprehensive data analytics bootcamp that takes you from wherever you are to landing your first data job. Doesn't matter your background, your degree, or your experience level — we're going to help you get there. What you get: 📊 Full curriculum covering Excel, SQL, Tableau, Python, and R 🛠️ 9 real-world projects across different industries to build your portfolio 💼 LinkedIn, resume, and interview prep so you actually stand out to recruiters 🤝 Weekly office hours, coaching, and a community of 900+ aspiring analysts who are in it with you 🎓 Lifetime access — go at your pace, come back anytime May enrollment deal: 🔥 20% off when you enroll now 🎁 6 free months of my unreleased Data Portfolio Builder tool — this isn't publicly available yet, and every May cohort member gets early access The live kickoff call is with yours truly on Monday, May 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern. Make sure you're enrolled before then so you don't miss it. 👉 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa Or just click the link in the show notes down below. See you on May 11th.https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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200: I Owe You An Honest Update
Mar 300:27:36Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! I wanted to give you a real update. I talk openly about the struggles, lessons, and decisions happening behind the scenes and where I want to take the podcast next. If you have been listening for a while, this one is for you. 💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 01:39 - Moving to Spain and recording challenges 04:11 - Being a dad and my ADHD diagnosis 07:39 - Hiring disasters and production struggles 14:18 - The thumbnail problem: negativity gets more views 20:21 - What's next for the podcast and YouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:May Cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator — Now Open🔗 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa The May cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator is officially open for enrollment. This is my comprehensive data analytics bootcamp that takes you from wherever you are to landing your first data job. Doesn't matter your background, your degree, or your experience level — we're going to help you get there. What you get: 📊 Full curriculum covering Excel, SQL, Tableau, Python, and R 🛠️ 9 real-world projects across different industries to build your portfolio 💼 LinkedIn, resume, and interview prep so you actually stand out to recruiters 🤝 Weekly office hours, coaching, and a community of 900+ aspiring analysts who are in it with you 🎓 Lifetime access — go at your pace, come back anytime May enrollment deal: 🔥 20% off when you enroll now 🎁 6 free months of my unreleased Data Portfolio Builder tool — this isn't publicly available yet, and every May cohort member gets early access The live kickoff call is with yours truly on Monday, May 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern. Make sure you're enrolled before then so you don't miss it. 👉 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa Or just click the link in the show notes down below. See you on May 11th.https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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199: The Data Job Scams Are Out of Control
Feb 2400:25:08Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! There’s a massive data job scam happening right now, and most applicants don’t realize they’re being targeted. I break down how these scams work, what scammers want, and the biggest red flags so you don’t waste time or lose money.🚀 Premium Data Jobs 👉 https://www.premiumdatajobs.com/📊 Data Career Jumpstart Bootcamp 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daaData Fairy:💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Data job scams are everywhere right now01:00 - Fake recruiter emails exposed06:00 - LinkedIn scams and identity theft12:55 - Real story: the fake check trap17:00 - Red flags you need to know🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:May Cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator — Now Open🔗 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa The May cohort of the Data Analytics Accelerator is officially open for enrollment. This is my comprehensive data analytics bootcamp that takes you from wherever you are to landing your first data job. Doesn't matter your background, your degree, or your experience level — we're going to help you get there. What you get: 📊 Full curriculum covering Excel, SQL, Tableau, Python, and R 🛠️ 9 real-world projects across different industries to build your portfolio 💼 LinkedIn, resume, and interview prep so you actually stand out to recruiters 🤝 Weekly office hours, coaching, and a community of 900+ aspiring analysts who are in it with you 🎓 Lifetime access — go at your pace, come back anytime May enrollment deal: 🔥 20% off when you enroll now 🎁 6 free months of my unreleased Data Portfolio Builder tool — this isn't publicly available yet, and every May cohort member gets early access The live kickoff call is with yours truly on Monday, May 11th at 7:00 PM Eastern. Make sure you're enrolled before then so you don't miss it. 👉 datacareerjumpstart.com/daa Or just click the link in the show notes down below. See you on May 11th.https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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198: You're not ready for the next phase of data analytics
Feb 1700:12:51Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! AI is advancing fast, and most data analysts aren't ready for what's coming. But here's the thing: AI won't replace you, it'll just change how you work. I break down what the future of data analytics actually looks like and how you can prepare yourself to thrive in it.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 AI is changing data analytics faster than we can keep up01:00 Claude Code and the AI revolution in software development03:00 Why AI won't take your data analyst job (it's just a tool)06:20 From individual contributor to AI manager - the mindset shift08:08 Focus on the "what" and "when", not just the "how"🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:✨ Find A Data Job 2.0 is Here ✨Just released a BRAND NEW version of FindADataJob.com. ✅ Skills highlighted on every job — scan a posting in seconds and know if it's a fit ✅ Seniority ranking 1–10 — see how senior a job actually is, no more guessing ✅ Save jobs — bookmark roles to come back to later ✅ Salary reports — see what data jobs are actually paying right now ✅ Skills reports — find out which skills are in demand in today's market ✅ Work arrangement reports — remote vs. hybrid vs. on-site breakdowns ✅ Feedback button — tell us what to build next GO CHECK IT OUT!!! FindADataJob.com
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197: How to Become a Sports Data Analyst in 2026 (starting from 0)
Feb 1000:46:40Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! If you’ve ever dreamed of working in sports analytics, this episode is for you. Nick walks through how he got hired by doing the work first, plus advice for breaking into the field and hopes for a strong Reds season.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 02:00 — Nick's role with the Cincinnati Reds and how his work fits into the organization 05:00 — Pivot into sports analytics and early career decisions 17:00 — How personal projects and initiative directly led to getting hired 21:00 — What the day-to-day really looks like beyond "just baseball data" 35:00 — Advice for aspiring sports analytics professionals on standing out🔗 CONNECT WITH [GUEST]🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NickWan🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:✨ Find A Data Job 2.0 is Here ✨Just released a BRAND NEW version of FindADataJob.com. ✅ Skills highlighted on every job — scan a posting in seconds and know if it's a fit ✅ Seniority ranking 1–10 — see how senior a job actually is, no more guessing ✅ Save jobs — bookmark roles to come back to later ✅ Salary reports — see what data jobs are actually paying right now ✅ Skills reports — find out which skills are in demand in today's market ✅ Work arrangement reports — remote vs. hybrid vs. on-site breakdowns ✅ Feedback button — tell us what to build next GO CHECK IT OUT!!! FindADataJob.com
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196: I wish I knew this before I learned SQL
Feb 300:14:27Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! I spent a lot of time learning SQL the hard way. Knowing a few key ideas sooner would have changed everything.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:03 - #1 It’s Both Super Simple & Insanely Complex 03:48 - #2 You Don’t Have to Memorize Everything 05:39 - #3 Most Beginner SQL Commands Are a Waste of Time 07:25 - #4 You Can Do More Without SQL Than You Think 09:01 - #5 Being Good at SQL Will Not Get You Hired🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:💙 Thank you for subscribingYouTube Channel🚀 April Cohort — Data Analyst Bootcamp (Starts April 13th)Ready to break into data analytics? Our April cohort kicks off with a live call on April 13th at 7pm ET where you'll meet your peers and mentors on day one. Save 20% when you enroll now, plus get LIFETIME access to our premium data job board. Join Today → https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daahttps://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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195: If I Wanted To Become a Data Analyst in 2026, This Is What I'd Do
Jan 2700:11:44Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! Here is how I would approach becoming a data analyst in 2026 if I were starting over. Focusing on the right fundamentals early changes everything.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – How I’d Become a Data Analyst in 202602:00 – Learning the Right Skills Through Projects04:30 – Why Certificates Don’t Matter06:30 – How to Stand Out and Build Trust With Hiring Managers07:32 – Creating a Portfolio and Networking to Land the Job🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:💙 Thank you for subscribingYouTube Channel🚀 April Cohort — Data Analyst Bootcamp (Starts April 13th)Ready to break into data analytics? Our April cohort kicks off with a live call on April 13th at 7pm ET where you'll meet your peers and mentors on day one. Save 20% when you enroll now, plus get LIFETIME access to our premium data job board. Join Today → https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daahttps://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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194: I Asked 3 Data Analysts How They ACTUALLY Got Hired
Jan 2000:42:28Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! Over the past few years, I’ve interviewed some of the smartest people in data. You’ll hear three real stories of people with no experience landing their first data job, and exactly how they did it.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Three real stories of breaking into data with no experience00:38 – Thomas: From high school teacher to data role in 61 days13:52 – Kadesha Bryant: From warehouse work to senior data roles through networking24:35 – Rachel Finch: Escaping the night shift and landing a BI role in 95 days39:45 – The shared pattern behind all three data career pivots🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:🚀 March Cohort — Data Analyst Bootcamp (Starts March 9th)Ready to break into data analytics? Our March cohort kicks off with a live call on March 9th at 7pm ET where you'll meet your peers and mentors on day one. Save 20% when you enroll now, plus get two free bonuses: 6 months of Data Fairy (your AI co-pilot through the bootcamp) and a bonus course — "The AI-Proof Analyst: Why Thinking Still Wins." Claim Your Spot → https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daahttps://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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193: My HONEST Thoughts on The Data Job Market in 2026
Jan 1300:12:09Tap to summarizeHelp us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away! Breaking into data feels harder than ever right now. I break down the real trends shaping the data job market in 2026 and what they mean for your career.💌 Join 30k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter 🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulatorSpecial thanks to Live Data Technologies for the data.Learn more about them: https://www.livedatatechnologies.com⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – The real state of the data job market in 202602:18 – Why data engineering keeps growing while other roles slow down05:41 – Who is actually hiring data analysts right now07:56 – Why big tech layoffs don’t tell the full story🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY 🎥 YouTube Channel 🤝 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 💻 Website Mentioned in this episode:🚀 March Cohort — Data Analyst Bootcamp (Starts March 9th)Ready to break into data analytics? Our March cohort kicks off with a live call on March 9th at 7pm ET where you'll meet your peers and mentors on day one. Save 20% when you enroll now, plus get two free bonuses: 6 months of Data Fairy (your AI co-pilot through the bootcamp) and a bonus course — "The AI-Proof Analyst: Why Thinking Still Wins." Claim Your Spot → https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daahttps://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa
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