5 answers
Medhanit
Student
Messina, Italy
1
Question
Asked
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What should I do if m 23 years old girl and a second year data analyst student and will graduate next year but not interested in the field?
I am an international student, when I was at my home country I enrolled in software engineering for 2 years and after that I quit because I got scholarship to come to italy, but then the field is kind of the same for me and I am really struggling to keep going. I was a natural science student and the top of the school when I was in highschool so I know I have potential. I am from a very rural country and didn't get the chance to know even a little about tech and computers. Now I am stuck. And the fact that I wasted 4 years without getting any skills that helps my future is freaking me out.
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5 answers
Matt Bierman
Analytics
4
Answers
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hi Medhanit
I would recommend you think about data analytics as a skill rather than a field. No matter what industry or liner of business you transition to, the technical ability to work with large datasets, create functions, and use advanced excel will help you elevate yourself above other candidates.
You have a skill set that very few people can achieve use it to stand out against others while you learn a new industry or field. Data analysis is always valuable no matter where you end up.
I would recommend you think about data analytics as a skill rather than a field. No matter what industry or liner of business you transition to, the technical ability to work with large datasets, create functions, and use advanced excel will help you elevate yourself above other candidates.
You have a skill set that very few people can achieve use it to stand out against others while you learn a new industry or field. Data analysis is always valuable no matter where you end up.
Tanayia Woolery
Marketing
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Tanayia’s Answer
Hey, first of all, take a deep breath. You’re not stuck—you’re just at a crossroads, and that’s completely normal. A lot of people discover mid-way through a degree that it’s not their passion, and it doesn’t mean the last four years were wasted. You’ve built resilience, problem-solving skills, and adaptability—those are valuable in any career.
Here’s what I’d suggest:
1. Pause the panic and reframe the situation
You’re graduating soon, which means you’ll have a degree—a huge achievement. Even if you don’t want to be a data analyst, that credential opens doors. Employers often care more about your ability to learn and adapt than the exact major.
2. Explore what excites you
Ask yourself: What subjects or activities make you lose track of time?
Do you enjoy working with people, solving problems, creating things, or organizing processes?
Your natural science background suggests you like logic and analysis, but maybe you want something more applied or creative.
3. Leverage what you already have
Your tech background isn’t wasted. Many roles blend tech with other fields—think product management, UX research, digital marketing, business analysis, or even sustainability tech. These roles value analytical thinking without requiring you to code all day.
4. Start experimenting now
Take short online courses in areas you’re curious about (marketing analytics, design thinking, project management).
Join student clubs or volunteer projects to test different roles.
Use LinkedIn to connect with alumni in roles you find interesting—ask for 15-minute chats about their career paths.
5. Plan for the transition
If you truly don’t want to work in data, that’s okay. You can:
Finish your degree (it’s a safety net).
Build a portfolio or certifications in your new interest area before graduation.
Apply for entry-level roles or internships in that space—even if they’re not perfect, they’ll get you closer to what you want.
Bottom line: You haven’t wasted time—you’ve gained clarity. Many successful people pivoted after college. Your story will show resilience and adaptability, which employers love.
Here’s what I’d suggest:
1. Pause the panic and reframe the situation
You’re graduating soon, which means you’ll have a degree—a huge achievement. Even if you don’t want to be a data analyst, that credential opens doors. Employers often care more about your ability to learn and adapt than the exact major.
2. Explore what excites you
Ask yourself: What subjects or activities make you lose track of time?
Do you enjoy working with people, solving problems, creating things, or organizing processes?
Your natural science background suggests you like logic and analysis, but maybe you want something more applied or creative.
3. Leverage what you already have
Your tech background isn’t wasted. Many roles blend tech with other fields—think product management, UX research, digital marketing, business analysis, or even sustainability tech. These roles value analytical thinking without requiring you to code all day.
4. Start experimenting now
Take short online courses in areas you’re curious about (marketing analytics, design thinking, project management).
Join student clubs or volunteer projects to test different roles.
Use LinkedIn to connect with alumni in roles you find interesting—ask for 15-minute chats about their career paths.
5. Plan for the transition
If you truly don’t want to work in data, that’s okay. You can:
Finish your degree (it’s a safety net).
Build a portfolio or certifications in your new interest area before graduation.
Apply for entry-level roles or internships in that space—even if they’re not perfect, they’ll get you closer to what you want.
Bottom line: You haven’t wasted time—you’ve gained clarity. Many successful people pivoted after college. Your story will show resilience and adaptability, which employers love.
Evita Pereira Alvarado
Business Intelligent Analyst
4
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Evita’s Answer
Hi Medhanit,
Change is always difficult, but never impossible. And don’t think you’ve wasted your time — any skill that’s well learned always helps in some way, whether it’s improving how we think, how we solve problems, or even building software solutions for natural sciences.
Try to see it as an opportunity. I believe the decisions we make always teach us something, even if the lesson is painful at the time. In the long run, those lessons turn into valuable experiences that we’ll carry with us and use later on.
Evi
Change is always difficult, but never impossible. And don’t think you’ve wasted your time — any skill that’s well learned always helps in some way, whether it’s improving how we think, how we solve problems, or even building software solutions for natural sciences.
Try to see it as an opportunity. I believe the decisions we make always teach us something, even if the lesson is painful at the time. In the long run, those lessons turn into valuable experiences that we’ll carry with us and use later on.
Evi
Carlos Tiburcio
Senior Program Manager
15
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Carlos’s Answer
Hi Medhanit,
I really think that what you're learning now about Data analytics and your background in software engineering will be really helpful if you decide later to do another degree or master's in Natural Sciences, as these currently employ a lot of modeling and statistical analysis if you want to go into research in that field, you'll find it has a heavy use of data analysis and AI for that matter, for example, AI is being used to discover patters to predict cancer in patients or uncover regions where endangered species use to roam from satellite data, or even in astronomy or biology.
So I strongly believe that you'll find the skills you're building very handy if you decide to go for a degree in Natural Sciences in the future.
Good Luck!
I really think that what you're learning now about Data analytics and your background in software engineering will be really helpful if you decide later to do another degree or master's in Natural Sciences, as these currently employ a lot of modeling and statistical analysis if you want to go into research in that field, you'll find it has a heavy use of data analysis and AI for that matter, for example, AI is being used to discover patters to predict cancer in patients or uncover regions where endangered species use to roam from satellite data, or even in astronomy or biology.
So I strongly believe that you'll find the skills you're building very handy if you decide to go for a degree in Natural Sciences in the future.
Good Luck!
Crystal Lee
Developer, Consulting
2
Answers
Irvine, California
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
Hi Medhanit,
I know it feels scary to feel that you spent 4 years studying something you don't want to continue to pursue. However, these are great skills that can be applied to many career paths in the future. The important thing to remember is that it's never too late to switch career paths to pursue something that you are passionate about! I recommend looking for internship or job opportunities in the field of work you are interested in.
I know it feels scary to feel that you spent 4 years studying something you don't want to continue to pursue. However, these are great skills that can be applied to many career paths in the future. The important thing to remember is that it's never too late to switch career paths to pursue something that you are passionate about! I recommend looking for internship or job opportunities in the field of work you are interested in.