Want to Become a Data Analyst? Here’s How to Do a Career Change

A political science graduate moving into a Data Analyst role at a leading tech company, these two things sound completely unrelated. Many people get stuck in the mindset that if they didn't graduate with a computer science degree or a related technical major, they have no chance of entering this field. But I want to tell you that this simply isn't true. My name is Karn, and I'm currently a Junior Data Analyst on the Data & AI team. And yes, I graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University.

This is the story of my Data Analyst career change, starting from my internship to becoming a full-time employee at Seven Peaks Software.

From Reddit to My First Step in the Tech World

Many people have an application or a product that inspires them, but my starting point was much simpler. It began when the system randomly recommended a Reddit thread about data analytics to me. That spark made me seriously interested in the field. I started researching and tried to build my very first project.

When I started actively finding a Data Analyst job around September 2024, the Thai tech job market was fiercely competitive. It felt like a small war, with everyone trying to break into the industry, and I was one of them.

I saw that Seven Peaks, which has a reputation as one of the best digital transformation consultancy firms in Thailand, was hiring a Data Analyst intern. I decided to apply even though I saw over 50 people had already applied on LinkedIn. To my surprise, I received a call for an interview. Soon after, I became a part of the team, and today, I've been here for almost a year as a full-time employee.

The Reality of Working as a Data Analyst: It's Not All Clean Data

Once I started working, I learned one truth about this job. Most people mistakenly believe that a Data Analyst always works with perfectly cleaned and transformed data that has almost no errors. But in a real-world production environment, it's not like that at all.

My main responsibilities involve maintaining the company's internal data, from sourcing new updates to fixing bugs in the data pipeline. When I first started, I handled general administration, setting up Power BI, managing data mappings between Excel with Power BI, and creating prototypes for various ideas.

As I gained more experience with data, cloud services, and programming, I was assigned more complex projects that required specialized knowledge.

Opening the Toolbox: What a Data Analyst Actually Uses

If you ask what tools I use daily to turn messy raw data into real-time dashboards that executives use for decision-making, the core tools can be divided into parts. The heart of it all is SQL and Python. I use these two to solve daily bugs.

Then there are the visualization tools. Power BI is the main stack we use to build internal dashboards. Most of the data is cleaned and transformed using Python and SQL before being reported in Power BI.

Besides these main tools, I also need to use Bash Scripting and Docker. I use them especially when deploying work after testing and moving it to the actual production environment.

The Key to Growth is 'On-the-Job Training' and a Supportive Team

Since I didn't come from a relevant major, on-the-job training was the most important thing for me. I remember one project for a global client in the food industry, a field where I had no prior experience. I learned and built all the unique expertise right here, but what truly helped me grow fast wasn't just the work itself. It was the team culture.

What truly impressed me was the lack of pressure. When we have sessions to learn something new, it doesn't feel like listening to a lecture. It’s an atmosphere of discussion, where we share what we know at that moment to help find the best solution together. The fact that the seniors took time out of their busy schedules to help me, combined with this open culture, gave me opportunities and trust. The trust was demonstrated when I was tasked with independently overseeing internal BI and AI projects, from design and building to bug fixing and presenting my own ideas.

Going from a political science intern to owning an internal AI project in less than a year is a very substantiated path of growth that I've experienced here.

The Path to Becoming  Data Analyst for Career Changers

This is the question I hear often, especially since I graduated from Political Science. For anyone interested but hesitant because they didn't graduate with a relevant degree, I can confirm that you can definitely start. Based on my trial-and-error experience, this is the most straightforward guide I have for those who want to make a Data Analyst career change.

Start with the Essential Tools

If you ask what to start with, I recommend beginning with these three or four essential tools:

• SQL: This is the most essential tool. It’s the language we use to communicate with databases. No matter how complex the tool you use, you can’t avoid using SQL.
• Excel: Many people overlook Excel, but the truth is that it remains a very powerful tool for basic analysis, data cleaning, or simple data mapping, just like what I started doing during my internship.
• BI Tools: You must have a tool to present data so others can understand it. Pick one, like Power BI (the tool I use at Seven Peaks) or Tableau, and practice using it until you are proficient.
• Python: Python and its libraries, like Pandas, are crucial for tackling complex tasks such as automation or working with massive datasets. While it may not be your absolute first step, it's essential for your long-term growth.

Develop Skills as a Career Changer

The next question is where should you study? And are certifications necessary?

• Online Courses: There are many high-quality online courses nowadays, whether from Coursera, edX, or even Thai providers. The important thing is to study and then apply that knowledge.
• Certifications: Certificates like the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate or those from Microsoft, such as PL-300 for Power BI, are very effective for opening the door and getting HR to call you for an interview. They also prove your genuine commitment to the field.
• Personal Projects: For me, personal projects are more important than any certificate. I started with my own project after finding a Reddit thread, and having even a small project in your portfolio is much more powerful than a certificate during an interview. It shows you can actually do the work, not just study it.
• Internship: The final and best step is getting an internship. It's a real shortcut that exposes you to on-the-job training, just as I experienced. Doing real work and solving real problems are things no course can teach, and they prove to the company that you're ready to become a full-time employee.

Growth Not Limited by Education

My story proves that being a Data Analyst isn't defined by your academic background. This field is open to anyone with dedication, a genuine curiosity for new knowledge, and a strong collaborative attitude.

If you are someone passionate about solving problems, love analyzing data to find insights, and are looking for an organization willing to invest in your growth and trust your capabilities, a Data Analyst career change might be the right answer for you.

Join Us at Seven Peaks Software

We are looking for people with a deep passion for transforming messy data into powerful insights that drive business. Ready to join us? View open positions on our Data & AI team and other roles here.

Naphob (Karn) Saengpan 

Junior Data Analyst

Karn applies a political science background and structural analysis to find key connections and insights hidden in data. He currently manages Seven Peaks’ internal data and helps develop complex client data pipelines, transforming raw data into powerful insights.

Karn started his tech journey as an intern before proving himself and growing into a full-fledged Junior Data Analyst. He is skilled in SQL, Python, and Power BI. He is deeply passionate about self-learning and tackling challenging problems.

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