Insider Tips from a Spotify Data Scientist for Making Smart Career Decisions in Today’s Tough Job Market
Does the tough job market make you feel like you’re fighting for your life in the Hunger Games, instead of for a job?
If you’ve reached the stage where you’re thinking about throwing in the towel and just taking any data job you can get, hold onto that towel. You are about to make a big mistake.
I started my career in data science in the midst of COVID-19, a crazy time similar to today’s where companies are laying off people en masse and barely hiring anyone. (except it was worse).
At the time, I was a student who felt like a total imposter with $50,000 in debt breathing down my neck. In a moment of desperation, I did what most of us do. I threw my standards in the trash and began hysterically applying to any data job I could find.
But then a data scientist told me something that changed everything: Getting off on the right foot in this field is crucial.
Why is this so critical in data science? Because in this field not all roles are equal. The diversity of the field means that skills and experiences valued in one sector may not be as relevant in another; It can make the difference between a company hiring you or passing you by.
Now, as a data scientist at Spotify, I can confidently say that waiting for the right job instead of just desperately jumping into any data role was the smarter decision.
Settling for less would have led me down the wrong career path or delayed my path to landing my dream job. One thing is for sure; I wouldn’t be where I am now.
This story is a guide to help you make smart career decisions, even when the job market has you by the throat. I’ll show you:
- How giving in to the pressure of taking a job that doesn’t meet your aspirations is a terrible step that can derail your career.
