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Trying to change careers
I have a degree in Neuroscience and a job history in the medical field (mostly administrative). I am really trying to shift gears into data analytics, but even entry-level positions require some experience. I have taken courses to build technical skills however most employers don't understand why I qualify given my educational and professional experience. Any advice on how to make a career shift or how to bridge the gaps?
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4 answers
Updated
Simona’s Answer
Hi Destinee,
Changing careers can be pretty tough. However, the good news is that you've already done some of the work by getting training in the new career you want. To make a big splash, I would recommend taking further action in the steps below to make your transition work for you. Training is great but practical knowledge is needed. Employers want to know you can perform the duties. So how can you do that?
Part time work: Gain experience with part time work in the career you want when not working your current job
Volunteering: If you can't get paying work, try to volunteer in the career you want to gain hours of experience
Resume: Change up your resume to highlight skills you have in the career you want
Mentor: Get a mentor or shadow staff that currently work in the career you want; they may advocate for you when jobs open up
I've looked up some articles that can offer some additional advice and added the links below:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/career-change-jobs-with-no-experience
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/successful-career-change-2058452
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Career%20Change%20No%20Experience&start=10&mna=5&msclkid=1755752728091c62bf8e16357b71de5e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Dynamic%20Search%20Ads_q&utm_term=www.indeed.com%20jobs%20q%3D&utm_content=DSA&vjk=0d3658cfbe7a1dde
Hope these are helpful.
Try to get part time work to gain experience
Try to volunteer to gain experience (if you can't get part time work)
See if you can get a mentor in this career path to offer advice or even ways to get experience with their employer
Research more options and remain open to different options
Changing careers can be pretty tough. However, the good news is that you've already done some of the work by getting training in the new career you want. To make a big splash, I would recommend taking further action in the steps below to make your transition work for you. Training is great but practical knowledge is needed. Employers want to know you can perform the duties. So how can you do that?
Part time work: Gain experience with part time work in the career you want when not working your current job
Volunteering: If you can't get paying work, try to volunteer in the career you want to gain hours of experience
Resume: Change up your resume to highlight skills you have in the career you want
Mentor: Get a mentor or shadow staff that currently work in the career you want; they may advocate for you when jobs open up
I've looked up some articles that can offer some additional advice and added the links below:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/career-change-jobs-with-no-experience
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/successful-career-change-2058452
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Career%20Change%20No%20Experience&start=10&mna=5&msclkid=1755752728091c62bf8e16357b71de5e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Dynamic%20Search%20Ads_q&utm_term=www.indeed.com%20jobs%20q%3D&utm_content=DSA&vjk=0d3658cfbe7a1dde
Hope these are helpful.
Simona recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Destinee,
Your degree in Neuroscience shows that you have an analytical mind. Since you are already have exposure by working in the medical field, it will be to your advantage to look for internal opportunities dealing with healthcare and medical analytics. Shadowing is a great way to meet professionals who have backgrounds in the field of work that you want to get into. This method allows you to learn from them, understand the pathway they took to get into their fields and to develop your own career journey.
LinkedIn is a great medium to search for professionals, especially in the analytics field. You can learn about their backgrounds and experiences, connect with them, ask them questions and to develop and build your own professional profile. Here is the website: www.linkedin.com.
To build your analytics library, it is highly recommended to learn SQL as well as visualization tools like Tableau, Qlik or Thoughspot. There are learning modules at each one of these websites. Professional certifications can be earned, are valuable and will showcase your knowledgebase.
www.teradata.com / www.tableau.com / www.qlik.com / www.thoughtspot.com
Best wishes in your career journey in analytics!
Shadow with analytic professionals
Professional Certifications - SQL, Tableau, Qlik or Thoughtspot
LinkedIn Connections
Utilize the Career Center at your college for additional assistance and leads
Your degree in Neuroscience shows that you have an analytical mind. Since you are already have exposure by working in the medical field, it will be to your advantage to look for internal opportunities dealing with healthcare and medical analytics. Shadowing is a great way to meet professionals who have backgrounds in the field of work that you want to get into. This method allows you to learn from them, understand the pathway they took to get into their fields and to develop your own career journey.
LinkedIn is a great medium to search for professionals, especially in the analytics field. You can learn about their backgrounds and experiences, connect with them, ask them questions and to develop and build your own professional profile. Here is the website: www.linkedin.com.
To build your analytics library, it is highly recommended to learn SQL as well as visualization tools like Tableau, Qlik or Thoughspot. There are learning modules at each one of these websites. Professional certifications can be earned, are valuable and will showcase your knowledgebase.
www.teradata.com / www.tableau.com / www.qlik.com / www.thoughtspot.com
Best wishes in your career journey in analytics!
Michael recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Pooja’s Answer
Hi Destinee - Based on your degree this switch makes perfect sense as data analytics need industry knowledge which I believe is what you already have in medical field so its a good segway into health care and life sciences industry where organizations are trying to become more data driven. I would suggest try to search internship positions in data analytics and get hands on experience to kickoff your journey in data field. I would recommend learning SQL and at least one visualization tool like Tableau/DOMO/Quicksight etc. There are various resources out there that can help you in building skills in these technical areas and with your functional knowledge and blend of these technical skills you have a great future ahead. Create a professional resume which reflects your analytics skills both functional and technical and then look for internship positions via career fairs/job portals. I wish you all the best and I know you will do great. Thanks!
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Hi Destinee! I've done something very similar, and the first job in a career shift was definitely the most difficult. The folks who have already answered this question have a lot of great ideas. One thing that helped me a lot was making a slower transition by looking for analyst roles in the field I was working in (marketing). If you can find an analyst role in the neuroscience or medical industry (where you have experience and domain expertise) that can help in those interviews. Providing examples of how that expertise helps you uncover more meaningful insights can help people see past the "1-3 years experience in SQL."
And there will always be some folks who can't see past that, and that's probably not the employer you're looking for.
And there will always be some folks who can't see past that, and that's probably not the employer you're looking for.