u/Independent_Night_36

I graduated in 2024 from an Ivy League university with a degree in Data Analytics and Social Sciences. Before that, I started at community college and transferred later, so it took me a long time to get here. I’m also a 40 year old immigrant, and English is my second language.

I’ve been trying to break into data analyst or research related work, but I still haven’t landed a full time role yet. Right now I work part time. I only had one internship during school, so I know my experience is still limited compared to many candidates.

What confuses me is that I usually pass HR screenings and often make it pretty far in interviews. I’ve reached final rounds multiple times for analyst, research, reporting, and university related positions. But I’m almost never the final choice.

I’m starting to wonder what employers are seeing that I’m not seeing.

I know my spoken English is not my strongest skill, especially in interviews or fast conversations. But technically, I do feel confident. I’m comfortable with SQL, R, Python, Power BI, data cleaning, dashboards, reporting, research support, and handling messy datasets.

Part of me wonders:
- Is this mostly an experience problem?
- An interview communication problem?
- An English fluency issue?
- Or am I targeting the wrong roles?

Recently I started broadening my search beyond “data analyst” into:
- research assistant
- public health / university roles
- data operations
- reporting analyst
- data integrity / data quality
- healthcare admin support
- entry level analyst or office roles

I’m trying to be realistic instead of chasing titles.

For people who struggled breaking in, especially immigrants, career changers, older graduates, or ESL speakers:
- What finally helped you get in?
- Were there certain industries or jobs that were more open?
- Did your first “real” opportunity look different from what you originally planned?

I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve actually been through this.

I graduated in 2024 from an Ivy League university with a degree in Data Analytics and Social Sciences. Before that, I started at community college and transferred later, so it took me a long time to get here. I’m also a 40 year old immigrant, and English is my second language.

I’ve been trying to break into data analyst or research related work, but I still haven’t landed a full time role yet. Right now I work part time. I only had one internship during school, so I know my experience is still limited compared to many candidates.

What confuses me is that I usually pass HR screenings and often make it pretty far in interviews. I’ve reached final rounds multiple times for analyst, research, reporting, and university related positions. But I’m almost never the final choice.

I’m starting to wonder what employers are seeing that I’m not seeing.

I know my spoken English is not my strongest skill, especially in interviews or fast conversations. But technically, I do feel confident. I’m comfortable with SQL, R, Python, Power BI, data cleaning, dashboards, reporting, research support, and handling messy datasets.

Part of me wonders:
- Is this mostly an experience problem?
- An interview communication problem?
- An English fluency issue?
- Or am I targeting the wrong roles?

Recently I started broadening my search beyond “data analyst” into:
- research assistant
- public health / university roles
- data operations
- reporting analyst
- data integrity / data quality
- healthcare admin support
- entry level analyst or office roles

I’m trying to be realistic instead of chasing titles.

For people who struggled breaking in, especially immigrants, career changers, older graduates, or ESL speakers:
- What finally helped you get in?
- Were there certain industries or jobs that were more open?
- Did your first “real” opportunity look different from what you originally planned?

I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve actually been through this.

I graduated in 2024 from an Ivy League university with a degree in Data Analytics and Social Sciences. Before that, I started at community college and transferred later, so it took me a long time to get here. I’m also a 40 year old immigrant, and English is my second language.

I’ve been trying to break into data analyst or research related work, but I still haven’t landed a full time role yet. Right now I work part time. I only had one internship during school, so I know my experience is still limited compared to many candidates.

What confuses me is that I usually pass HR screenings and often make it pretty far in interviews. I’ve reached final rounds multiple times for analyst, research, reporting, and university related positions. But I’m almost never the final choice.

I’m starting to wonder what employers are seeing that I’m not seeing.

I know my spoken English is not my strongest skill, especially in interviews or fast conversations. But technically, I do feel confident. I’m comfortable with SQL, R, Python, Power BI, data cleaning, dashboards, reporting, research support, and handling messy datasets.

Part of me wonders:
- Is this mostly an experience problem?
- An interview communication problem?
- An English fluency issue?
- Or am I targeting the wrong roles?

Recently I started broadening my search beyond “data analyst” into:
- research assistant
- public health / university roles
- data operations
- reporting analyst
- data integrity / data quality
- healthcare admin support
- entry level analyst or office roles

I’m trying to be realistic instead of chasing titles.

For people who struggled breaking in, especially immigrants, career changers, older graduates, or ESL speakers:
- What finally helped you get in?
- Were there certain industries or jobs that were more open?
- Did your first “real” opportunity look different from what you originally planned?

I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve actually been through this.

I graduated in 2024 from an Ivy League university with a degree in Data Analytics and Social Sciences. Before that, I started at community college and transferred later, so it took me a long time to get here. I’m also a 40 year old immigrant, and English is my second language.

I’ve been trying to break into data analyst or research related work, but I still haven’t landed a full time role yet. Right now I work part time. I only had one internship during school, so I know my experience is still limited compared to many candidates.

What confuses me is that I usually pass HR screenings and often make it pretty far in interviews. I’ve reached final rounds multiple times for analyst, research, reporting, and university related positions. But I’m almost never the final choice.

I’m starting to wonder what employers are seeing that I’m not seeing.

I know my spoken English is not my strongest skill, especially in interviews or fast conversations. But technically, I do feel confident. I’m comfortable with SQL, R, Python, Power BI, data cleaning, dashboards, reporting, research support, and handling messy datasets.

Part of me wonders:
- Is this mostly an experience problem?
- An interview communication problem?
- An English fluency issue?
- Or am I targeting the wrong roles?

Recently I started broadening my search beyond “data analyst” into:
- research assistant
- public health / university roles
- data operations
- reporting analyst
- data integrity / data quality
- healthcare admin support
- entry level analyst or office roles

I’m trying to be realistic instead of chasing titles.

For people who struggled breaking in, especially immigrants, career changers, older graduates, or ESL speakers:
- What finally helped you get in?
- Were there certain industries or jobs that were more open?
- Did your first “real” opportunity look different from what you originally planned?

I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve actually been through this.