I'm scared to get jobs that aren't related to what I want to do

[FakeSympathy]

I have been trying to get a Data Analyst position. Been over a year since I got my undergrad, and even done some projects on my free time that utilized what I learned. Yet, despite advancing to several final rounds of interviews, I just can't seem to get it.

Friends and especially my family has been telling me to at least get a full-time job so I can pay my bills. And due to my current situation, it has to be a full-time job. Part-time or inconsistent hours/on-call jobs won't cut it. I did find a remote QA testing job, but it's designed to be more of a side job rather than working full-time. So I need to find another job.

Here's where my dilemma comes from. Jobs in IT or tech area, I'm definitely applying even though they aren't related to data analytics. But my family is pressuring me to open up to other areas like retail, administrative, assembly, sales, etc. I know I definitely need to find something soon. But I'm also worried about the job deviating too far from data analytics, and the responsibilities being completely unrelated to that field.

Sure, I can probably apply soft skills such as time management, teamwork, project management, etc. But almost every Data Analyst job post I came across only highlights the hard skills as basic requirements, and all the soft skills are marked as "nice-to-haves" or not even mentioned in the post. I even had little networking chats with current data analysts, and they all had a thing or two to say about the hard skills but nothing on the soft skills.

The second thing I'm worried about is not having enough time. I can maybe set aside time to apply for data analyst jobs, but I won't have time for any interviews because the interview times usually fall during the normal business hours, when I'll be working. I actually experienced this working at a Department Store at the local mall. Had several interviewers reaching out, but couldn't find the correct time because the time they suggested I was working. I could call in sick or use PTO, but what happens when I actually get sick or want to take a vacation? Not sure if every business does this, but that store only allowed me to take time off by days, and not necessary in hours. I don't want to waste my time off and sick days for interviews that might not lead to my goal.

The final thing and the most important thing I worried about is the complete loss of motivation. I'm scared that if I start an unrelated full-time position somewhere, it'll drain every ounce of energy and motivation I have within me, abandon my goal, and stay there for the rest of my life. I won't be working because I enjoy the work or I get a sense of accomplishment. I work there because I need money to live.

Call me a coward, lazy, or whatever you want. I just want to be absolutely sure about what I'm doing before I come to regret it 40 years later, still working at the company I hate.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Do you have anything on your CV? If not, having some job you've been able to get and keep doesn't look bad, even if it's not your field.

I'd avoid a customer service job if I were you, though. If you are worried about lacking motivation now, don't work with the public.

 

[Xprimentyl]

I'm in Supply Chain Analytics, a position I was thrust into 12 years ago with ZERO background for. I was a warehouse supervisor in Ohio, and one day, completely out of the blue, my facility director called me into his office and offered me an opportunity in Texas as a part of a new team they were assembling called "Global Flow Management" in Texas (where our corporate offices are.) As it was a substantial promotion, I took it. A month later, I'm standing in the lobby of my new workplace where I met my new boss who said simply "I think I'll put you on the intelligence team," the team responsible for data analytics. I knew nothing about it; in fact, I had only rudimentary experience with common tools like MS Excel and Access (the two that would become my primary tools.) I was terrified. I'd just upended my life, moved away from my home and family to start a position I basically wasn't qualified for in any appreciable way. That was 12 years ago, and as it stands, through attrition, I'm one of maybe two people in my company on American soil with any competency in this field for my company. I'm the only person left from the entire GFM team, actually.

I say all that to say don't be afraid to try new things. They can't take away what you know; they can only add to what you know, and who knows, you might be good at a new thing, too. A diverse resume is a good thing (as long as your stints with disparate functions aren't 2-3 months apiece, mind you. There's something to be said for longevity when an employer is looking to commit to you; a resume with a dozen line items that shows you jumping ship every 2-3 months raises eyebrows.)

That said, I'm miserable at my job. Working from home has been nice, but outside of that, I hate being almost the only person people run to with their questions, and have been seriously considering a change for myself. I'll miss the salary, but my mental health might be worth it. Having to convince myself to get out of bed to do a thing I hate 5 days a week is taxing. I want a task-oriented job, "move these boxes from here to there" sort of thing; this waking up every morning not knowing who's going to ask me for what (and it's always "urgent") has gotten really fucking old.

 

[Drathnoxis]

I won't be working because I enjoy the work or I get a sense of accomplishment. I work there because I need money to live.

This is the whole thing about work. If you want to work because you enjoy it or get a sense of accomplishment, what you're looking for is a hobby.

A degree is just something that helps you get a job. You don't need to get a job that actually uses your degree, just as long as it pays at least as well as what you would make in one that did.

 

[Baffle]

Why can't the work be part-time? I get that you need full-time wages, but does not working (assuming this is current situation) generate some sort of other income that you'd lose if you were part-time (e.g. social security of some sort)? Otherwise I'd say apply part-time as it leaves plenty of time to look for other work, attend interviews etc. I do think employers prefer to take on people who work, even in unrelated fields, compared to people who don't (because that's seen as won't rather than don't). Motivation is a soft skill!

 

[Kyrian007]

Weird stuff happens when you just "go with it" sometimes. The company I work for now... I started as an unpaid intern answering phone calls for a couple of hours each weekend. That led to an open job as a weekend overnight security guard with good enough technical skills that an engineer could talk me through a repair as opposed to having to come in themselves. After showing good technical skills with audio equipment, I became a local programming producer briefly... before landing the lead producer job for a D1 NCAA school's entire sports radio network. A guy needing someone to voice a PSA led to me being considered qualified on-air talent. Now I produce 2 daily talk shows and provide news editing and content as well as direct content for our website. Maybe you find a company that has jobs in the field you want, don't be afraid to start laterally outside your field.

 

[EvilRoy]

Take this a for what it is - advice from some dude you've never met who has never worked in data analytics - but you may want to start hitting up jobs further out. When it comes to hiring, the guy with some experience always wins over the guy with none, even if the experience is wholly unrelated.

On top of that, if you can I would really suggest trying to find people in data analytics to talk to - network yourself into a job if you can, but that's not really the goal. What you want to do is find out what people know in DA that senior people like, and what senior people see as missing overall. As an example, I deal with structural engineering and I do some helping out with hiring. The number one thing I look for in new grad hires is retail customer service experience.

Why? Because clients and contractors are assholes but you have to smile and take it anyway. I consistently argue against hiring one of the dozen 4.0 ultrahonors students because without fail they've only ever been hot shit at school and done piss easy show-up-and-get-credit volunteer work. Those guys fold instantly when shit goes south, which it does constantly in consulting work. My best hire ever was a woman who made it out of school with an average GPA and worked as a bartender in shit dives to pay for school. She matched my working hours without breaking a sweat and had a stare that could scare ice out of a glass across the room. Nobody fucked with her, she worked hard, and clients loved her jokes.

And that's kind of what I feel you need to find. The specific special skill, usually ones that everyone else is "too good" to learn, that make all the difference in your field. Could be stuff like leading a team of sulky teens - if you can handle that you can lead anybody - or closing tills at night - a guy that can balance a till quickly while exhausted can be trusted to keep things organized and accounted for even during crazy deadlines - or even being the warehouser who can find anything in a moment - anyone who can keep a mental map of the eldritch abomination that is a warehouse backroom is clearly capable of keeping shit rolling regardless of what's going on around them.