Out of Box Ideas to Get a Data Gig: Part 2

This article follows part 1 of Out of Box Ideas to Break Into Data (linked below)

Out-of-the-Box Ideas

Here are some non-traditional ideas that can be utilized to get a foot in the door for a data gig

1.Contract for Smaller Companies: Understand How to Work with Data and Stakeholders

Startups and smaller companies operate on lean structures, emphasizing flexibility and efficiency. Engage on a contractual or part-time basis for such companies can be a strategic move for early grads, especially in the early stages of their career.

Working on a per-project basis or even an hourly basis with these SMEs will offer you a unique vantage point. It allows you to witness and contribute to the foundational phases of a company, understanding the intricacies of its growth trajectory.

The collaborative nature of startups also ensures that even contract or part-time roles have significant visibility and impact. Such experiences not only enrich one's portfolio but also provide invaluable networking opportunities, paving the way for future collaborations and career advancements.

2.Build Tools & Resources: Build in Public on Reddit, Twitter

One of the fastest ways to get noticed in any industry is to build a tool or a resource that provides value to several important people. Crafting a tool or resource that caters to the specific needs of influential figures and decision-makers can swiftly catapult one to the forefront.

These tools or resources could potentially become more than just utilities; they transform into vital assets, enhancing productivity, streamlining processes, or offering insights that were previously elusive. Few examples are:

• A data dashboard displaying web scrapped metrics for industry competitors

• An interactable data web app built with streamlit or dash

More importantly, aside from building, marketing should consist of 50% of the remaining effort of the project. By allocating a substantial portion of effort to marketing, one ensures that the product doesn't just exist in a vacuum but thrives, resonates, and achieves its intended impact in the real world.

This ultimately establishes a domain authority for you in your data career and hopefully is pivotal for the journey ahead.

3.Start a Newsletter for Your Data Niche

• Determine Your Niche: Identify a specific area within data analytics that you're passionate about.

• Content Creation: Regularly write articles, case studies, or tutorials related to your niche.

• Engage with Subscribers: Encourage feedback, run polls, and possibly host Q&A sessions.

• Promote: Share your newsletter on various platforms and encourage sharing to grow your subscriber base.

Launching a niche-focused newsletter in the data analytics realm can be a game-changer. It not only positions you as a thought leader in that specific domain but also connects you with an audience that shares your passion.

Regular content, be it in-depth articles, insightful case studies, or hands-on tutorials, can provide immense value to your audience and establish your credibility in the realm. Moreover, interactive elements like polls or Q&A sessions can further enhance community engagement, making your newsletter a go-to resource in your chosen niche.

Conclusion

There exists more than one path to a specific destination. Although these are just a few more ways of breaking into the data industry with evolving tech, we’ll be seeing a lot more innovative methods for the same.