

Data Career Podcast: Helping You Land a Data Analyst Job FAST
Avery Smith - Data Career Coach
The Data Career Podcast: helping you break into data analytics, build your data career, and develop a personal brand
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
179: How I Use PRIVATE Data ETHICALLY In the New Era of AI
There is an impossible choice most organizations face. Companies building modern AI face a brutal, binary-feeling decision: either ship a privacy-first model that “kinda low key sucks,” or ship a high-performing model that likely exposes sensitive personal data. Luckily, there's a third option, and that's what I will share with you in this episode!Check out Tonic Textual here: 👉 https://www.tonic.ai/products/textual💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction: The Ethical Dilemma in AI Development01:21 - The "A Very Smith Health Solutions" LEAKED Zoom debate!02:45 - Sensitive Data Discovery and Synthesis03:41 - Redacting and Synthesizing Data with Tonic Textual04:30 - Applications and Benefits🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/Mentioned in this episode:💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weeklyIf you enjoy this podcast, you're going to LOVE my newsletter. Every week, I send you 1 email jam-packed with tips, tricks, and resources. Don't miss it! 💌 Subscribe To My Newsletter✨ Try Julius!This episode is brought to you by Julius – your AI data analyst companion. Connect to your database and/or business tools, pull insights in minutes–no coding required. Thanks, Julius, for sponsoring this episode. Try Julius at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCPhttps://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCP💙 Thank you for subscribing & leaving a reviewThanks to YOU we recently became the most popular data podcast out there. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't subscribed yet, hit subscribe. It costs $0.
If you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple. It helps people like you find the show AND it helps us land better guests. Thank you so much for your support.

Sep 23, 2025 • 37min
178: The One Skill That Makes You More Valuable Than Senior Analysts (ft. Mike Cisneros)
Join Mike Cisneros, a Harvard-trained data storyteller and co-author of 'Storytelling with Data,' as he dives deep into the art of data storytelling. Discover why clear communication can make you more valuable than seasoned analysts. Mike shares practical tips to enhance your data presentations, like removing clutter and using color strategically. He also discusses a fascinating case study on call-center data, illustrating how effective visuals can drive action. Learn how to transform your analyses into impactful narratives!

11 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 18min
177: I Built a Pokémon Card Analytics App That Prints PASSIVE Income w/ AI (step-by-step guide)
In this episode, the host builds a Pokémon card analytics tool, guided by audience votes. Discover how she uses Replit to create the app quickly, even without technical skills! Features like price tracking, charts, and a deal finder are integrated using real data sources. Watch as she navigates API integration and backend databases to optimize the app. Finally, she deploys the MVP and unveils the domain, inviting listener feedback for future development. A must-listen for aspiring data analysts!

Sep 9, 2025 • 19min
176: I Asked 7 Data Analysts What Tools They ACTUALLY Use
Before you start cramming tools to land a data job, ask yourself this: What tools are data analysts actually using every day? In this episode, I went straight to the pros—analysts at Google, Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Humana, Veterans United, 7-Eleven, and more—to hear which tools truly power their work.✨ Try Julius today at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-YT💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction00:22 - Sundas Khalid (Google and Amazon)03:10 - Jen Hawkins (Apple)06:17 - Ryan Ponder (Veterans United)07:32 - Alex Sanchez (7-Eleven)09:37 - Jason Bryll (Healthcare Analytics Expert)12:47 - Erin Shina (Humana)14:54 - Lily BL (Tesla)🔗 Watch my interviews and connect with our data experts!Sundas🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sundaskhalid/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/e53U55HbBog?si=_hQkB2EuuD1pFsg7Jen 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeandriska/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/f-BWp_IJZ-I?si=llWBc5hIW80SmeEdRyan🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtponder/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/bH0wfE342R0?si=iN1ftUN31LbstdRwAlex 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ale-san/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/VfrTaw27rDc?si=IlwL7FJLdUvlbbmsJason🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-bryll/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qh4RBY5GwUY?si=HCvF80qw7gVbL0dcErin🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinshina/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/5gSUqk1AiWM?si=MPF3oRY45B2DTQ2PLily🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilybl/🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/AB2McisjPTM?si=yw_2gCWtBcQDFGWf🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/Mentioned in this episode:💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weeklyIf you enjoy this podcast, you're going to LOVE my newsletter. Every week, I send you 1 email jam-packed with tips, tricks, and resources. Don't miss it! 💌 Subscribe To My Newsletter✨ Try Julius!This episode is brought to you by Julius – your AI data analyst companion. Connect to your database and/or business tools, pull insights in minutes–no coding required. Thanks, Julius, for sponsoring this episode. Try Julius at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCPhttps://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCP💙 Thank you for subscribing & leaving a reviewThanks to YOU we recently became the most popular data podcast out there. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't subscribed yet, hit subscribe. It costs $0.
If you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple. It helps people like you find the show AND it helps us land better guests. Thank you so much for your support.

10 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 20min
175: 5 Unique Data Analyst Projects (beginner to intermediate)
Here are 5 exciting and unique data analyst projects that will build your skills and impress hiring managers! These range from beginner to advanced and are designed to enhance your data storytelling abilities.✨ Try Julius today at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-YTWhere I Go To Find Datasets (as a data analyst)👉 https://youtu.be/DHfuvMyBofE?si=ABsdUfzgG7Nsbl89💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction00:24 - Project 1: Stock Price Analysis03:46 - Project 2: Real Estate Data Analysis (SQL)07:52 - Project 3: Personal Finance Dashboard (Tableau or Power BI)11:20 - Project 4: Pokemon Analysis (Python)14:16 - Project 5: Football Data Analysis (any tool)🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/Mentioned in this episode:💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weeklyIf you enjoy this podcast, you're going to LOVE my newsletter. Every week, I send you 1 email jam-packed with tips, tricks, and resources. Don't miss it! 💌 Subscribe To My Newsletter✨ Try Julius!This episode is brought to you by Julius – your AI data analyst companion. Connect to your database and/or business tools, pull insights in minutes–no coding required. Thanks, Julius, for sponsoring this episode. Try Julius at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCPhttps://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCP💙 Thank you for subscribing & leaving a reviewThanks to YOU we recently became the most popular data podcast out there. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't subscribed yet, hit subscribe. It costs $0.
If you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple. It helps people like you find the show AND it helps us land better guests. Thank you so much for your support.

16 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 47min
174 : He was unemployed for 1,000 days. Now he’s a data analyst. (Josh Gledhill)
In this engaging conversation, Josh Gledhill, a data analyst at Staffordshire County Council, shares his inspiring journey from a music professional to a data analyst after 1,026 days of unemployment. He discusses the challenges of overcoming dyslexia and highlights effective study techniques. Josh emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand on Threads and reveals his SPN Method for job success. He also dives into the differences between data jobs in the UK and US, providing invaluable insights for aspiring analysts.

13 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 16min
173: 13 Signs You’re on the Right Track to Landing Your First Data Job
Feeling lost in your data journey? Discover the 13 surprising signs that you're actually making progress. From mastering Excel and SQL to creating visualizations in Tableau, each skill builds your confidence. Learn how sharing your journey and actively applying for jobs can boost your chances. Networking, optimizing your LinkedIn, and getting real interview experience are key steps. Embrace not knowing everything yet—it's all part of the learning process on the way to landing that first data job!

Aug 12, 2025 • 34min
172: Tesla Data Analyst: This is how to land a data job (Lily BL)
What does it take to land a data analyst job at Tesla, and what challenges await you once you're there? Join me as I interview Lily BL, a former Tesla data analyst, who reveals her exhilarating journey in the world of data at one of the world's most innovative companies.💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/training👩💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator⌚ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction00:31 - Working on Data Projects at Tesla01:45 - Was it challenging working at Tesla?08:34 - Hiring Process and Employee Evaluation11:56 - Tools and Technologies Used13:38 - Lily Landing the Job at Tesla15:42 - Advice for Aspiring Data Professionals19:36 - How the Data Analytics Accelerator helped Lily25:11 - Data Analyst Titles Matrix29:50 - Linking Business Needs to Data Solutions🔗 CONNECT WITH LILY BL🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilybl/🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/Mentioned in this episode:💙 Thank you for subscribing & leaving a reviewThanks to YOU we recently became the most popular data podcast out there. Thank you so much for listening. If you haven't subscribed yet, hit subscribe. It costs $0.
If you enjoy the show, leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple. It helps people like you find the show AND it helps us land better guests. Thank you so much for your support.💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weeklyIf you enjoy this podcast, you're going to LOVE my newsletter. Every week, I send you 1 email jam-packed with tips, tricks, and resources. Don't miss it! 💌 Subscribe To My Newsletter✨ Try Julius!This episode is brought to you by Julius – your AI data analyst companion. Connect to your database and/or business tools, pull insights in minutes–no coding required. Thanks, Julius, for sponsoring this episode. Try Julius at https://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCPhttps://landadatajob.com/Julius-DCP

7 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 15min
171: 7 Habits That (Quietly) Helped Me Break Into Data (with no experience)
Discover seven essential habits that can help anyone break into data analytics without prior experience. Learn the importance of building real-world projects monthly and consistently sharing your insights on LinkedIn. Embrace the power of reading daily to deepen your knowledge and understand real applications of data. Network effectively by applying for jobs regularly and sending cold DMs. Plus, attending monthly data events can greatly enhance your career opportunities. A free habit tracker is also offered to help track your progress!

26 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 25min
170: Brutally Honest Advice About Landing a Data Job in 23 Minutes
Dive into essential insights for landing a data job with real-world advice. Discover that your skills aren't the only hiring factor; who you know plays a huge role. Learn about the value of hands-on experience and how job rejections shouldn't deter you. Networking and domain expertise can outshine technical prowess. Plus, mentorship is highlighted as a game changer, emphasizing that continuous learning is key in the ever-evolving data landscape!