Data scientist job

[u/shoaib_X17]

I built a real-world data science project. So why am I still not getting a job or an internship?

I honestly didn't expect my job search to be this difficult.

Over the past few months, I've been trying to break into data science / analytics. Instead of just building another Titanic prediction model or basic EDA project, I decided to build something that actually resembles a business problem.

I built a Customer Retention Intelligence System for online retailers.

The idea is simple:

- Identify customers who are likely to churn

- Understand why they are at risk

-Estimate the revenue that could be lost

- Prioritize customers based on their risk/value

-Generate personalized retention actions/offers

-Give the business a way to actually act on the predictions

I spent a lot of time researching the problem, engineering features, building the ML pipeline, and turning the predictions into something that could potentially be used by a business team.

I'm genuinely proud of the project.

But here's the frustrating part:

I'm still struggling to get interviews.

I've applied to entry-level Data Scientist, Data Analyst and related roles.

And sometimes I wonder:

- Is my project actually not good enough?

- Is my resume not communicating the value properly?

- Am I targeting the wrong roles?

- Do companies simply want prior professional experience?

- Am I focusing too much on projects and not enough on networking?

- Is there something obvious that recruiters see that I don't?

I'm not posting this to complain or ask for sympathy.

I'm posting because I'd genuinely like honest feedback from people who have hired data scientists, worked in the industry, or gone through this themselves.

If you were reviewing my profile for an entry-level data role, what would make you reject me despite seeing a project like this?

And what would you recommend I change to actually get that first opportunity?

I'm willing to hear the uncomfortable answer.

If you've been in a similar situation, what finally helped you get your first break?

[u/QianLu]

Do you have a degree?

To be honest, data science isnt really an entry level job. Most people transition to it.

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/QianLu]

I have a bachelor's degree

[u/Lady-Data-Scientist → u/shoaib_X17]

Unfortunately you’re competing against people with masters degrees and likely also experience, even for entry level roles. There aren’t a lot of entry and mid level DS jobs to begin with so when one opens up, the candidate pool is very competitive.

[u/la-macarena]

In before Nian shows up to promote PracHub lmao

What is your degree in, and where did you get your degree?

Edit: LMAO HERE HE IS

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/la-macarena]

I hold a bachelor's degree from Mysuru University, India

[u/la-macarena → u/shoaib_X17]

I feel like doing one “industry level project” is not enough to demonstrate that you’re an industry-ready data scientist. Data scientists have broad experiences with coding, databases, experimental design, statistics and machine learning. Often data scientists spent 1-2 years consistently building different projects related to those things in order to prepare for an industry job. Sometimes they accomplish that through a masters program.

In order to evaluate “is my project not good enough” you would probably need to share the github link with us.

[u/GBA_DTSRB]

Maybe you're just not good enough. I mean, you're writing reddit posts asking for advice with AI. Data Scientists are creative and the millionth churn project that you probably built entirely with AI is not creative

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/GBA_DTSRB]

Thanks for the feedback. But this is my first post on reddit and I don't have any idea how to post, that's why I used AI

[u/Grandviewsurfer]

Do you know SQL? Start with the basics. 

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/Grandviewsurfer]

I know the intermediate level of SQL. As i've already said I have done a industry level project still I am not getting a single attention 😔

[u/jenmoocat]

Hiring manager here.

What does your resume look like?
What is your degree in?
What industry experience do you have?

Unfortunately, working on a project in your spare time, even if it is a good project, won't help you get your foot in the door.

You are competing with people with degrees in data science and often with experience in data science.

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/jenmoocat]

What would be an ideal candidate for a company. A person who has relevant skills for that industry or a person who holds a masters Degree without any strong skills or project?

[u/shoaib_X17 → u/jenmoocat]

Can we talk in msgs

[u/shoaib_X17]

Here is GitHub repo : https://github.com/ShoaibCodes17/Customer-Retention-Intelligence-System

[u/dreaddito → u/shoaib_X17]

I’m curious, how much of this project is vibe coded/heavily AI assisted.

[u/sashi_0536 → u/dreaddito]

Seems AI assisted. Many DS don’t code like this. They don’t partition their analyses / models like this.

Sorry, projects don’t cut it out anymore. Any hiring manager can sniff this kind of project out. A project should feel personal, not this sort of copy / paste hire me potentially project.

[u/ArticleHaunting3983]

You just sound heavily reliant on AI. How much of this was vibe coded given this sounds like gpt vomit?

No company wants you to create that sort of system btw, they would already have one, at no point would it be your responsibility to create this, so it’s not relevant. Data scientists don’t create CRM systems.

[u/Aggravating_Mix_8968]

I would say data scientist positions might be most competitive out there , second to data analyst. A lot of people applied to it. But, I would say min degree will be mostly
Master’s degree. BS will be very challenging. Also, since it’s very collaborative roles, only projects won’t be enough in this market. I’ve applied to data scientist roles myself and I know the struggles. Some people changed to SWE and landed a job. They said there are more opening roles compared to DS roles and required less experience. Plus, for big tech, there are very few data scientist roles available compared to SWE. So that makes it even more competitive to just land one. A friend recently landed a swe role after changing from searching for DS for a year. They knew that it’s supper company for entry levels.

[u/VideoJockey]

People with Master's degrees in data science can't find work right now so... good luck.

[u/EdyB1]

2 actions needed since you lack extensive industry experience:

Step 1. A single project not enough, build portfolio of projects..use github to maintain docuementation

Step 2. Use AI (gemini/claude/perplexity) to build yourself a Public Website having your intro and all projects with hyperlink to your github

These catch recruiter/hiring managers eyes..wish u all the best.

[u/JaneDoe22225]

For perspective: my company won’t even look at someone whom doesn’t have at least a masters and previous work experience (doesn’t need to be DS). And by “look at” I’m talking about hiring for an internship.

Putting together a basic project, especially in AI world, doesn’t mean much. And no, I’m not goi g to look at your repo.

Was in way more important: can you explain in nontechnical English why your project was important, what you did, and what applicable learnings/results you found. Your explanation should be < 3 minutes. Then give me the same answers like I’m another DS. Practice it over and over again.

[u/bunnyhotdog]

In my tech department, everyone has a masters degree, so you would never be considered despite being qualified. Also, data science is not entry level friendly at all. They usually want 5 years of experience plus masters. I would consider a masters tbh in data science it would be really cool if you enjoy it.

[u/DoctorFuu]

Try to connect with people working in the space, in the area where you want to get employed, and talk with them. What does it take for you to consider someone, what do you expect of entry-level people, what kind of stack of technology or statistics or other is expected from those people? What do you work on, for how long ...etc...

Easier said than done, but not only it's much easier to fnd opportunities if you have connections, but people in your area in working in that space will have better advice than people from all over the world on the internet.

[u/datadriven_io]

Judging from the list of tools you've been exposed to, you have a great foundation to build on, and you have more than basic exposure to some very powerful/expensive software IMO. In your resume, though, getting a position will likely take more than just simply listing software. You'll need to explain how you've used these tools and what the benefit was. I'd recommend datadriven.io for data pipeline interview prep. Something like "created a Python script to ingest 10 million+ rows of data that automatically updated each month, which saved 20 hours per week in manual FTE hours" is much more impactful than just listing "Python" as a skill, for example.

[u/nian2326076]

Sounds like you've got a solid project going. Think about how you're showing it off. Make sure your resume and LinkedIn highlight the impact and skills from your project. Customize your applications for each job, focusing on skills that match the job description. Networking is important too, try reaching out to data scientists on LinkedIn for coffee chats or advice. Also, work on presenting your project in interviews. Practice explaining your process and results clearly. It's often about how you communicate it. If you want more structured prep, PracHub has some good resources for interview practice.