F-1 Data Science grad, keep failing first-round interviews. Career coach, mentor, or fix it myself?
MS in Data Science (2025) and BS in CS prior, F-1 visa, working in another field (not data related) 8-5, doing applications and studies in the evenings. I have been getting interviews but always get rejected on the first rounds.
I feel like the issue is that I cannot explain what I know well enough, plus some gaps in the technical side. Looking back, I realized that I have been quite lazy in my studies at University.
I was thinking if it is worth it to invest in a interview coach to help me identify weak points and develop a strategy, but it may be a waste of time/opportunities. For people who have been in similar situations, and for international students in particular: would you recommend such investment?
Also, is it a good idea to stop trying to interview and improve your skills for a while, and then re-apply?
How to develop explanation skills for technical projects and concepts during interview?
And what would you do in my situation over the next 6 months?
One more question: Do any of you have existing knowledge of working in this field who would be willing to mentor me, if only loosely? Someone to review my progressand advise where I have gone wrong would be appreciated greatly.
Because the F-1 timeline makes me feel like i can't just spend a few months thinking about this, any advice would be appreciated