Help 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.

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👔 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

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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/daa

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Help 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.

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Data Fairy:

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🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/training

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👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Data job scams are everywhere right now

01:00 - Fake recruiter emails exposed

06:00 - LinkedIn scams and identity theft

12:55 - Real story: the fake check trap

17:00 - Red flags you need to know

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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 up

01:00 Claude Code and the AI revolution in software development

03:00 Why AI won't take your data analyst job (it's just a tool)

06:20 From individual contributor to AI manager - the mindset shift

08:08 Focus on the "what" and "when", not just the "how"

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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.

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🆘 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

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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.

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🆘 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

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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 2026

02:00 – Learning the Right Skills Through Projects

04:30 – Why Certificates Don’t Matter

06:30 – How to Stand Out and Build Trust With Hiring Managers

07:32 – Creating a Portfolio and Networking to Land the Job

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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 experience

00:38 – Thomas: From high school teacher to data role in 61 days

13:52 – Kadesha Bryant: From warehouse work to senior data roles through networking

24:35 – Rachel Finch: Escaping the night shift and landing a BI role in 95 days

39:45 – The shared pattern behind all three data career pivots

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help 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/interviewsimulator

Special 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 2026

02:18 – Why data engineering keeps growing while other roles slow down

05:41 – Who is actually hiring data analysts right now

07:56 – Why big tech layoffs don’t tell the full story

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away!

Unsure if data analytics is still worth it in 2026? These 3 predictions explain what’s actually happening.

💌 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 – 3 predictions for data analysts

00:25 – Prediction #1

02:48 – Prediction #2

07:00 – The truth about AI replacing analysts

09:24 – Prediction #3

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Help us become the #1 Data Podcast by leaving a rating & review! We are 67 reviews away!

Most aspiring data analysts struggle with knowing what projects to build. This list of 5 projects spans beginner to advanced levels and is designed to impress recruiters and hiring managers.

💌 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 – From construction to Senior Financial Analyst (no applications)

03:06 – Why his non-data background actually helped

08:24 – The projects + portfolio that made recruiters reach out

10:27– How LinkedIn led to a job offer

23:03 – Biggest lessons for breaking into data

🔗 CONNECT WITH JORDAN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtemplemba/

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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/daa

https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa