Need honest advice on what to learn next.
P.S. I am using ChatGPT.
Hi everyone,
I'm feeling a bit lost and could really use some advice from people who've been through this or are already working in the field.
I'm 30 and currently working remotely for a US-based company as an Operations Analyst. My day-to-day work is mostly helping US clients with their job search—updating resumes, applying for jobs, maintaining Excel sheets, and handling different operational tasks. I enjoy the work, but I don't see myself doing this forever.
For quite some time, I've wanted to move into Data Analytics or Business Analytics. The problem is that every time I start researching, I end up more confused than before. Everyone recommends something different.
Some say do the Google Data Analytics Certificate, others say it's outdated. Some recommend Microsoft, IBM, Coursera, Udemy, Maven Analytics, DataCamp, YouTube... and honestly, I don't know what's actually worth my time.
A little about where I am right now:
\\- I'm comfortable using Excel, but I know I still have a lot to learn.
\\- I'm basically a beginner in SQL, Python, Power BI and Tableau.
\\- I don't have a technical or Computer Science background.
\\- I work full-time, so realistically I can study around 1-2 hours a day.
\\- My goal is to become job-ready within the next 8-12 months.
I'm not looking for the easiest path. I'm looking for the path that actually works.
If you were starting from my position today, what would you do?
\\- Which courses would you actually spend money on (if any)?
\\- Which skills would you learn first?
\\- Should I focus on Data Analytics or Business Analytics?
\\- How much do certificates really matter compared to projects?
\\- If you had to create a roadmap for someone like me, what would it look like?
I'd really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who made a similar transition or who hire for these roles.
Thanks in advance!