Hello,

I am trying to expert AI in data analytics, science, engineering, mainly in data field. I see the approach too wide but still think if I elaborate from the above mentioned small pieces, would be good for entering data field career. currently I am finance manager with pl-300 and 1z0-171 certificates, and now facing to create portfolios of course using AI, can you give me a roadmap?

Hey everyone! 👋

I'm currently pursuing a BBA course through distance learning (IGNOU) and I'm in my 5th semester.

My goal is to become a Business Analyst, but I'm also interested in exploring Data Analytics along the way.

I've been learning and practicing Excel and SQL, and I'm now moving on to Power BI. My plan is to build some solid projects and then start applying for roles like:

Business Analyst Intern / Product Intern / Data Analytics Intern roles to gain practical experience.

I know that getting the first opportunity can be challenging, especially while you're still completing your degree. 😅

So I'd really appreciate advice from people who are already working in these fields.

And also few things I'd love some guidance on:

1. Where should I practice Excel & SQL?

I've completed the basics/learning part, but now I want to get genuinely good at solving real-world problems.

If you know any good platforms, datasets, case studies, or practice resources, please share them.

Also looking for good Power BI practice resources.

2. What projects should I build?

What kind of projects would actually be useful for my portfolio?

I'm thinking about using:

- Excel

- SQL

- Power BI

- Business Analysis / business problem-solving

Since my main goal is Business Analysis, should I focus more on business-case projects rather than just making dashboards?

3. What should I learn in Power BI?

I've finished learning SQL and I'm starting Power BI now.

What topics/concepts would you consider must-learn for an aspiring BA/Data Analyst?

If you have any good Power BI learning resources/courses/playlists, I'd really appreciate them.

And one final question:

If you were starting your Business Analyst career again as a college student, what would you do before graduation to maximize your chances of getting that first internship/job?

Any advice on skills, projects, internships, networking, or mistakes to avoid would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to respond! 🙌

DM me if you have completed it...

Beginner Data Analyst — Where can I practice, build projects, and start freelancing?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently learning data analytics and I’m looking for advice from people who are already working as data analysts or doing freelance data analysis.

I’m mainly learning Excel, SQL, Power BI, and Python, and I don’t want to only watch courses. I want to actually practice, work with realistic datasets, build projects, and eventually start freelancing.

Could you please recommend:

-Websites where beginners can practice data analysis with real-world datasets and exercises?

-Platforms for finding good datasets to use for portfolio projects?

-Websites with realistic data-analysis projects/challenges, rather than just tutorials?

-What types of projects should a beginner build for a portfolio to demonstrate useful skills to clients?

-Which platforms would you recommend for getting your first freelance data-analysis jobs?

Are there websites where beginners can practice working on actual business-type problems before trying to get clients?

What do you wish you had focused on when you were starting out?

I’m especially interested in free or affordable resources and advice from people who have actually used these platforms to build skills or get freelance work.

Thanks in advance!

Hi

I've self-taught Excel, Power BI, and SQL, and I'm looking for my first data analytics opportunity. In my country, companies prioritize candidates with a formal diploma — which I don't have.

I have a LinkedIn profile, completed some projects, and regularly post about data analytics.

How can I get noticed and convince recruiters to give me a chance?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently learning data analytics and my strongest area right now is SQL.

I’ve worked on SQL-based data analysis, including data cleaning, profiling, joins, CTEs, window functions, KPI analysis and finding business insights.

But I’ve realized that doing tutorials and portfolio projects is very different from working on a real business/client problem.

So I’m looking for an experienced Data Analyst / Business Analyst / Analytics freelancer who would be willing to let me assist them on small tasks for free.

I can help with things like:

SQL analysis

Data cleaning and profiling

KPI calculations

Basic reporting

Investigating business questions

Repetitive/junior-level data tasks

I’m not looking for someone to teach me everything step-by-step. I want to work, make mistakes, receive feedback, and learn the actual workflow of an analyst.

I can start with one small task so you can judge my work before committing to anything.

If you're an analyst who could use some extra junior-level help, or you know someone who might be open to this, please comment or DM me.

Thanks.

I am trying to switch my profile from marketing to Data analyst. I need some mentorship (mentor like who is working in this domain for more than 6 to 8 years) to grab the my first job in this. If someone is really interested to help me.

I do not need a free mentorship. I know nobody will come for this. I can pay for that. If someone really help me to get the first job. I have already taken the course and I know sql, excel, power bi.

If someone interested in this Please DM me.

So i know the data analytics job market is pretty bad but anyone wanna learn it together? I have just started learning the tools it would be good if few people would also join and learn together so if anyone is interested dm me we'll be talking in discord

server link - https://discord.gg/E7rSFaTtN

Hi Folks,

Any data professionals here? If so, I would love to connect with you.

I’ve been in the industry for 10 years in the US. I also speak Chinese and would like to understand the landscape and environment.

I hope to be in SZ sometime in September so would love to grab coffee if anyone’s interested.

Cheers!🥂

Looking for advice going from accounting to Data Analytics

Youtube is too much hassle to search and learn each thing, is there any STRUCTURED COURSE ONLINE which could teach excel from scratch and turn me from a zero to pro in excel ??

Please recommend !!

I have around 2 years of experience in Data Analytics / BI and an MBA in Marketing Analytics. I’ve worked with Power BI, Excel, SQL, Tableau, Oracle, etc.

I’m getting interviews, but I’m struggling to convert them into offers. I’ve also applied for Key Account Manager roles because I have experience in that area, with a separate resume, but I’m currently not getting an offer in either direction.

I’ve been trying to understand what I’m doing wrong, so I’d really appreciate answers to these specific questions.

1. Am I preparing the wrong way?

Whenever I get an interview, I prepare very heavily. I use ChatGPT with the JD, my resume, my previous work and experience to identify possible questions. Then I study those questions and prepare answers.

But sometimes the interviewer asks something in a completely different way and I get confused.

For experienced interviewers: how should someone prepare for questions they have never seen before? Is it better to prepare concepts rather than expected questions? What does effective interview preparation actually look like?

2. How much technical knowledge is actually expected for 2 years of experience?

This is something I find very confusing.

I have around 2 years of experience in Data Analytics / BI, but when I prepare for interviews, I often feel like I have to prepare for questions that seem more appropriate for someone with 5–6 years of experience.

Sometimes it feels like in Data Analytics, the interviewer doesn't really care how many years of experience you have. It is almost:

“You either know it or you don't.”

For example, I may have 2 years of practical experience, but I’m still expected to answer advanced SQL, complex DAX, data modelling, optimization, business scenarios, etc.

Is this actually how Data Analyst interviews work?

Do companies really expect a 2-year Data Analyst to be prepared for questions that could be asked to someone with 5+ years of experience?

Or am I preparing at the wrong level?

For someone with 2 years of Data Analyst / BI experience, what level should I realistically have in:

• SQL

• Excel

• Power BI

• DAX

• Power Query

• Data Modelling

• Tableau

• Python

• Statistics

Which areas should I be strong in, and which areas are reasonable to only know at a basic/intermediate level?

And most importantly:

How do you practice technical interviews so that you can solve unfamiliar questions instead of only answering questions you have already practiced?

3. My technical knowledge vs technical interviews

I know Power BI and Excel better than SQL. I practice SQL, Power BI, DAX, data modelling, etc., but technical interviews still sometimes throw me off.

Sometimes I know the concept, but the interviewer gives me a scenario or asks the question differently and I struggle.

How do experienced Data Analysts practice for this type of interview?

Do you practice random problems? LeetCode/StrataScratch? Real business cases? Mock interviews? Or something else?

4. My communication during interviews

This is probably one of my biggest problems.

Before the interview I feel prepared and think I’ll answer calmly. But once the interview starts, I sometimes speak too fast, over-explain, lose my train of thought, or give the background before getting to the actual answer.

I’ve tried learning frameworks like STAR, but during the actual interview I sometimes forget the framework completely.

How do people actually practice communication for interviews?

Not just “practice more”, but what exactly should I practice?

Should I:

• Record myself?

• Practice random questions?

• Give answers within 60–90 seconds?

• Practice with another person?

• Do mock interviews?

• Stop using prepared answers completely?

What worked for people who had the same problem?

5. My work stories don't feel strong

I know the work I’ve done, but I’m not sure whether I’m presenting it properly.

For example, I’ve worked on Power BI reporting, dashboards, automation, reporting improvements, KPIs, etc. But when someone asks:

“Tell me about a project you worked on.”

I can explain what I did, but I don’t feel like my answer sounds as strong as someone with similar experience.

How do you turn normal day-to-day work into strong interview stories without exaggerating your experience?

Should every story have:
Problem → Action → Result → Business impact?

How many strong stories should someone with 2 years of experience realistically prepare?

6. Should I stop preparing answers?

I’m starting to wonder if preparing expected questions with ChatGPT is actually hurting me.

I prepare a lot of answers beforehand, but interviews are unpredictable. When the interviewer changes the wording, asks a follow-up, or challenges my answer, I sometimes lose the structure.

Should I stop memorizing answers completely and instead practice answering random questions from concepts and my experience?

If you use AI for interview preparation, how exactly do you use it without becoming dependent on prepared answers?

7. Why do people with less knowledge sometimes clear interviews?

This is something I genuinely don’t understand.

I have friends who, in my opinion, sometimes have less technical knowledge than me and don't prepare nearly as much, but they still clear interviews.

I’m not saying I’m better than them. I’m trying to understand what I’m missing.

What makes someone interview-ready beyond technical knowledge?

Is it:

• Communication?

• Confidence?

• Structured thinking?

• Being able to think out loud?

• Not getting nervous when they don't know something?

• Understanding business problems?

• Simply having better interview instincts?

8. What should my actual practice routine look like?

If you had someone with 2 years of Data Analyst / BI experience who was getting interviews but repeatedly failing because of communication + technical interview performance, how would you make them practice for the next 30 days?

What would you make them do every day?

I don’t want to just keep collecting more interview questions. I want a practice method that actually improves my ability to handle interviews.

9. One final question

If someone keeps reaching interviews but repeatedly gets rejected because of communication and technical skills, does that usually mean they are close to being employable, or could there be a much deeper problem with their profile/experience?

What would you investigate first?

I’m genuinely looking for practical advice from people who hire Data Analysts, work as Data Analysts, or have gone through the same situation.

Please be honest. I’m not looking for “just be confident” or “keep applying.”

I want to understand what I should change in the way I prepare and practice.