Break into data analytics EVEN without a degree, just like our guest for today's episode! He's Ryan Ponder, a Data Analytics Accelerator program student who transitioned from Loan Officer to Data Analyst within his company-- without a degree. He shares how he leveraged internal opportunities and attained his new role. Tune in and learn actionable steps for making an internal pivot and overcoming career challenges!

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

05:49 - The Internal Pivot: A Unique Pathway to Data Analytics

09:57 - Networking and Overcoming Challenges

15:47 - Imposter Syndrome

23:02 - Final Thoughts and Advice

🔗 CONNECT WITH RYAN

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtponder/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Struggling to break into data analyst roles because you have no experience? In this episode, I reveal 6 overlooked, easier-to-land entry-level data jobs that can kickstart your data career. I also provide 7 reasons why these roles are worth considering!

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

01:43 - Six overlooked data jobs

02:09 - Reason 1: Domain-focused

03:18 - Reason 2: Easier to qualify for

04:26 - Reason 3: Less competition

05:34 - Reason 4: Still provide real data experience

06:42 - Reason 5: Often remote or hybrid

07:49 - Reason 6: Internal pivot

09:03 - Reason 7: Decent pay

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Melody Santos has successfully transitioned from a physical therapist to a revenue analyst in a few months! In this episode, she shares three main steps that expedited her journey, her struggles with imposter syndrome, and offers valuable advice for anyone looking to pivot into a data career.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

04:16 - Melody's Google Data Analytics Certificate Experience

06:41 - Job Application Challenges

15:43 - Landing the Charge Integrity Analyst Job

23:16 - Advice for Career Changers

🔗 CONNECT WITH MELODY

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodyusantos/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

If you're thinking about doing the Google Data Analytics Certificate, you need to hear this: DON'T. In this episode, I list five reasons why it is a waste of time.

The ONLY Framework to Become a Data Analyst in 2025 (SPN Method): https://youtu.be/XUxWQgh3soo?si=v3SQV3zJ4h0jH1uQ

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

00:11 - Reason 1: Certificates Don't Matter in the Data Industry

02:45 - Reason 2: The Course Teaches the Wrong Skills

06:32 - Reason 3: The Course is Slow and Theoretical

09:21 - Reason 4: Lack of Projects and Portfolios

14:15 - Reason 5: No Career or Networking Support

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

🎯 I analyzed 2,893 data analyst job postings so you don’t have to, and here’s what I found: **You might be wasting your time learning the wrong skills.** Find out how to pivot your career the data-driven way and stay ahead of the game.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

02:28 - FindADataJob.com.

04:04 - Most In-demand skills in 2025.

06:22 - Live Data at DataAnalystSkills.com

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Megan Bowers took an unconventional path to break into the data world. Starting from a self-guided Data Science Bootcamp, she shared her journey through blogging and gained millions of views, and then BOOM! Job offers and monetization opportunities flooded. This is her story.

📌 Interested in blogging for my publication? Get on this interest list: https://tally.so/r/3l4xQW

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

03:28 - Gaining traction and recognition through blogging.

07:08 - Career Growth and transition to Alteryx.

14:18 -  Leveraging and advertising your domain expertise.

19:25 - What is a Data Journalist?

22:21 - Writing content.

24:29 - What is Alteryx?

🔗 CONNECT WITH MEGAN

🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfSLx4WE4q501UZjL3Hx-DiS4zyeePEN2

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megandibble1/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alteryx/

💻 Alteryx Website: https://www.alteryx.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

YOU want to break into data analytics but not sure where to start? This interactive choose-your-own-adventure episode will help you! Get ready to make real-life decisions that will shape your data career. Play now and see where your choices take you.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ Control this audio using these timestamps:

1:54 - 1 - Data Scientist

3:48 - 2 - Data Analyst

5:42 - 3 - Python

7:36 - 4 - SQL

9:30 - 5 - Keep Learning

11:24 - 6 - Browse Some Jobs

13:18 - 7 - Move On

15:12 - 8 - Apply

17:06 - 9 - Try to Network

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Cindy Clifford, a seasoned educator of 25 years, refused to let age or past career define her. She used her skills honed as a teacher and pivoted to data analytics! If you feel you're too old to pivot and become a data analyst, it's never too late-- dive into Cindy's story.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

01:26 - Burnout with teaching.

11:34 - Cindy's first data role.

13:04 - FindADataJob.com and PremiumDataJobs.com.

19:14 - Cindy's second data job.

30:10 - Advice for teachers who want to become a data analyst.

🔗 CONNECT WITH CINDY

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-a-clifford/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

Jen Hawkins went from delivering pizzas to becoming a six-figure data analyst at a FAANG company in just 17 weeks. In our chat, she shares her Data Accelerator Program journey, how she used her background and new skills to stay motivated, land job offers, and eventually achieve her dream role.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

Jen Hawkins' Confessions of an Accidental Delivery Driver: Tableau Supply Chain Project:

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

00:30 - The Struggles and Turning Points

07:49 - Transitioning to a Data Analyst Role

19:46 - Life as a Data Analyst at a FAANG Company

🔗 CONNECT WITH JEN:

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeandriska/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

I talk with job search expert Steve Dalton about his radical approach to landing your dream job-- WITHOUT applying online! As the author of 'The Job Closer' and 'The 2-Hour Job Search, Steve advocates for a networking-based strategy and explains the importance of asking for advice rather than referrals.

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

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

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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

⌚ TIMESTAMPS - How to Become a Data Analyst w/o Applying 1000 Jobs

00:00 - Introduction

02:18 - Steps to effective job searching

05:06 - The 2-Hour Job Search

10:54 - Asking strangers for advice vs. applying online

18:35 - Earned referrals vs. online referrals

20:24 - PremiumDataJobs.com and DataFairy.io

24:37 - Effective outreach messages

27:18 - The Role of AI in Job Searching

28:16 - The 6-Point Email

34:00 - Ed Bernier's "Three-Hour Rule"

38:57 - Advice for job seekers

🔗 CONNECT WITH STEVE

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daltonsteve/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalton_steve/

🎵 X: https://x.com/dalton_steve

💻 Website: https://2hourjobsearch.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🎉 The 2026 Cohort of The Data Analytics Accelerator 🎉

Ready to land your data job in 2025? We're starting the 2026 Cohort on January 12th. This bootcamp is everything you need to land your first data job. Check out our New Year's sale & bonuses: https://datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa