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How I’m building my career

Tara Fard
4 min readNov 6, 2024
Photo by Shridhar Gupta on Unsplash

A year ago, I was lost and unsure about where my career was going. I’d spend my days watching random tutorials online, trying out different topics, hoping I’d find something that felt right. Then I discovered data analytics, and it was like finding the path I’d been looking for — a field that was both challenging and rewarding. Now, I’m fully committed to building a career in data analytics. Every day, I dedicate myself to learning new skills and preparing for a future that, just a year ago, I could only imagine.

Since then, I’ve completely changed my routine. Instead of just watching random videos, I now have a structured learning path that includes SQL, Python, and data visualization. I wake up early, dive into my courses and projects, and aim to create something every day that I can add to my portfolio. It’s not always easy — sometimes, I hit roadblocks that make me want to close my laptop and walk away. But I treat these moments like “game over” screens in a video game. Each challenge pushes me to keep going, knowing that I’m building up the skills I’ll need for a real career.

To take things further, I go to a tech park every day, from 9 to 5, as if I already have a job there. I wanted to place myself in a technology-focused environment, surrounded by data analysts, data scientists, and other professionals who are at or beyond the level I aim to reach. This daily exposure makes me believe I’ll succeed, knowing that just being in this environment has an impact. Staying at home would feel unproductive, but here, I have the chance to meet people from different companies, recruiters, and potential mentors — exactly the connections I need to find an internship. It’s in valuable to be able to expand my network, exchange ideas, and develop my technical skills. Seeing people actively working in the roles I aspire to, sharing ideas with them, and getting their feedback are key points that keep me going. I get to see firsthand how others think and work, and honestly, what could be better than this?

One of the best decisions I made was placing myself in a community surrounded by people who are already data analysts and data scientists — people at every level of this field. Having previously worked as a data visualizer, I already had a taste of what I wanted. Now, being around those who are further along in their analytics careers makes me feel like I’m one step closer to my goal. I can ask questions, get advice, and even learn about internship opportunities. I’m also networking with companies and recruiters who might help me get my foot in the door. Immersing myself in this environment gives me confidence that my path is clear; it’s just a matter of time and persistence.

My routine doesn’t stop there — I’ve also committed to going to the gym three times a week after leaving the tech park. I started this habit two months ago, and it’s been a game-changer. I feel stronger, more energized, and mentally sharp. It’s a reminder that I need to be resilient not just mentally but physically to succeed in my career and in life. Along with this, I’ve adopted a healthy diet full of protein and vegetables, though I let myself enjoy some meals out with friends on weekends. These routines keep me balanced, and I feel like I’m building up the strength and stamina to take on whatever challenges come my way.

While I’m still searching for my first internship, I’m treating every new project as a step closer to that opportunity. I’ve created a portfolio on Notion where I document everything I’m learning, from data wrangling to building dashboards. I use this as a way to show my progress to recruiters and mentors who can guide me on what I need to improve or add. And with each new project, I feel like I’m leveling up, collecting the skills I need to make my mark.

I’m still early in the journey, but every day I see growth and potential that I hadn’t noticed before. Getting up early to study, staying focused, and consistently working toward my goal has taught me that the path to success isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. The more I learn, the more confident I feel that I’ll not only find an internship but eventually land the full-time role I’ve been working toward.

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Tara Fard
Tara Fard

Written by Tara Fard

Data Analyst | AI Enthusiast

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