I can try! 😂 I do marketing analytics for growing tech companies and am usually their first data hire. It’s so fun! My ug is in business and I have a grad degree in the humanities so I also like both people and data. My first job was as a marketing analyst, and I also started a side business with a big Insta presence that allowed me to test and learn things I wasn’t doing at work yet. The skills I learned in the business got me my second job, where I learned how to use data to support strategic decisions. From there I’ve changed industries, changed roles, and focused on learning as much as possible. Everything you say about learning and exploring and trying things and taking on projects and sharing your work has been true for me as well!
I once had a lengthy conversation with someone very early in my career change journey and he advised that I follow my curiosity. This meant speaking to people, doing the research, finding out as much as possible and by doing this a path would form.
"Her story demonstrates that you don’t need a set plan but instead need to listen to yourself, your interests, and give yourself enough time really develop in your career (instead of putting the expectation on yourself to land the dream job right out of college)." <— this is exactly how I've put it to my younger cousins who are right out of college and going through It themselves. I've had a weird career trajectory (financial PR to tv production to au pair to service industry to writing) but each job has taught me a lot and helped me get to the next stage. As long as you're learning something new and getting the chance to grow, you're right where you're supposed to be!
I always feels so scared and insecure because I know the job I want doesn’t exist and I’ll have to create it. So much shame and burden. But from a Birds Eye, I know it’ll be worth it
So many "ideal" jobs come about from a combination of job experience and skills (learned and acquired), that there is seldom a straight line to the outcome. Great advice here! Also, love Sigourney!
thank you so much for writing this post, i was just about to ask you the same thing haha!! been working in PR lately but i've always wanted to pivot to data analytics for consumer research. i already do qualitative analysis but it would be neat to learn how to scrape more data to back me up
Currently in a (maybe similar?) position of having entered fashion sideways with no formal education, and trying to build my own thing at the same time <3
Your take on career advice giving is so refreshing to hear. Maybe research field I want to go into not being super established is even a good thing?
Totally! There is so much more room to grow when the landscape is still new
Your path is so similar to mine (tho you have more coding chops than I do!) Your advice is spot on!
Oh cool!! What is your current job? (And path, if you’re open to explaining)
I can try! 😂 I do marketing analytics for growing tech companies and am usually their first data hire. It’s so fun! My ug is in business and I have a grad degree in the humanities so I also like both people and data. My first job was as a marketing analyst, and I also started a side business with a big Insta presence that allowed me to test and learn things I wasn’t doing at work yet. The skills I learned in the business got me my second job, where I learned how to use data to support strategic decisions. From there I’ve changed industries, changed roles, and focused on learning as much as possible. Everything you say about learning and exploring and trying things and taking on projects and sharing your work has been true for me as well!
Great essay! Your approach is refreshing and interesting!
I once had a lengthy conversation with someone very early in my career change journey and he advised that I follow my curiosity. This meant speaking to people, doing the research, finding out as much as possible and by doing this a path would form.
This was so insightful! Thank you
"Her story demonstrates that you don’t need a set plan but instead need to listen to yourself, your interests, and give yourself enough time really develop in your career (instead of putting the expectation on yourself to land the dream job right out of college)." <— this is exactly how I've put it to my younger cousins who are right out of college and going through It themselves. I've had a weird career trajectory (financial PR to tv production to au pair to service industry to writing) but each job has taught me a lot and helped me get to the next stage. As long as you're learning something new and getting the chance to grow, you're right where you're supposed to be!
I always feels so scared and insecure because I know the job I want doesn’t exist and I’ll have to create it. So much shame and burden. But from a Birds Eye, I know it’ll be worth it
So many "ideal" jobs come about from a combination of job experience and skills (learned and acquired), that there is seldom a straight line to the outcome. Great advice here! Also, love Sigourney!
thank you so much for writing this post, i was just about to ask you the same thing haha!! been working in PR lately but i've always wanted to pivot to data analytics for consumer research. i already do qualitative analysis but it would be neat to learn how to scrape more data to back me up
So often the case behind a trailblazer is an unconventional path, it’s so inspiring!
Currently in a (maybe similar?) position of having entered fashion sideways with no formal education, and trying to build my own thing at the same time <3