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Specialize in Feature Monetization Analytics for SaaS, or Start with General Data Analytics?
Hi everyone,
I’m just starting out in data analytics and I really like the idea of working on SaaS products, especially in areas like feature usage and how those features help make money. I’m not sure what’s a smarter move for landing my first job:
Should I do a general data analytics course, try to get any analytics job I can find (even if it’s not about SaaS or product features), and just get some experience? Or should I pick a specific path, like really focusing on SaaS, learning all about feature and monetization analytics, and then only apply to jobs in that niche?
What’s worked for you or people you know? Is it better to get broad experience first, or does specializing early help you get interviews in your target area faster?
I would love to hear any advice.. thanks a lot!
6 answers
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Starting with a general data analytics job is a great choice. It helps you learn important skills and gives you more job options, making it easier to get your first job.
While you're working, you can create a portfolio of personal projects in SaaS and product analytics. This way, you gain real work experience and show your interest in this field. After a year or two, you'll be a much better candidate for the SaaS roles you want, with both experience and relevant projects.
While you're working, you can create a portfolio of personal projects in SaaS and product analytics. This way, you gain real work experience and show your interest in this field. After a year or two, you'll be a much better candidate for the SaaS roles you want, with both experience and relevant projects.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Anjali
Updated
Rosa’s Answer
Hi Anjali - Starting with Data and Analytics is a great choice! Data is all around us and is crucial for making important decisions, setting key performance indicators, and forming the base for AI. Focus on a specific domain or industry first. This will help you understand how things work, and then you can apply your knowledge to other areas. A job in SaaS is a great starting point. After gaining some experience, you can consider taking a specialized course if needed. Keep going, you're on the right path!
Updated
Leela’s Answer
Hi Anjali,
I suggest starting with data analytics. Take a course and find a job in this field. Once you're in, look for a position in a SaaS team within your company. Use your data analytics skills there. This approach lets you learn about SaaS products while applying your expertise. It will help you move toward the career you want.
I suggest starting with data analytics. Take a course and find a job in this field. Once you're in, look for a position in a SaaS team within your company. Use your data analytics skills there. This approach lets you learn about SaaS products while applying your expertise. It will help you move toward the career you want.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Anjali
Updated
Goodera’s Answer
Deciding between a focused or general approach depends on your personal goals and career stage. If you're passionate about something specific, a narrow path might keep you motivated and driven. If you're unsure, a broader approach offers flexibility, allowing you to specialize later while understanding the bigger picture. Consider what works best for you, whether you prefer detailed tasks or strategic thinking.
Updated
john’s Answer
Hi Anjali,
It's fantastic that you've found an area of interest already. This gives you a great advantage as you start your career. With my experience in the data analysis field, I suggest broadening your job search. Definitely apply for SaaS data analytics roles, but don't limit yourself to just that. Your skills in SaaS analytics can be useful in many areas, such as data visualization, A/B testing, and communication with stakeholders or customers.
Working in a related field first can be valuable. It helps you understand how data and insights are used by different groups, making you a better analyst. This experience can also make you a strong candidate when you aim for your desired position, as you'll be able to show how you can apply data effectively.
Keep learning and building your skills, especially with the rise of AI, which is transforming many fields. Explore how AI might impact SaaS analytics and what future roles might look like. Experiment with AI on data sets to identify what it can and can't do and develop skills to fill those gaps. Build your brand by joining trade groups, writing a blog, or creating demonstration videos.
Starting out can be challenging, but don't give up on your dreams. Keep pursuing that SaaS job, but also consider other opportunities that might lead you there eventually. You never know where they might take you.
It's fantastic that you've found an area of interest already. This gives you a great advantage as you start your career. With my experience in the data analysis field, I suggest broadening your job search. Definitely apply for SaaS data analytics roles, but don't limit yourself to just that. Your skills in SaaS analytics can be useful in many areas, such as data visualization, A/B testing, and communication with stakeholders or customers.
Working in a related field first can be valuable. It helps you understand how data and insights are used by different groups, making you a better analyst. This experience can also make you a strong candidate when you aim for your desired position, as you'll be able to show how you can apply data effectively.
Keep learning and building your skills, especially with the rise of AI, which is transforming many fields. Explore how AI might impact SaaS analytics and what future roles might look like. Experiment with AI on data sets to identify what it can and can't do and develop skills to fill those gaps. Build your brand by joining trade groups, writing a blog, or creating demonstration videos.
Starting out can be challenging, but don't give up on your dreams. Keep pursuing that SaaS job, but also consider other opportunities that might lead you there eventually. You never know where they might take you.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Anjali
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Anjali,
A lot of beginner data analysts find it difficult to decide whether to start broad and acquire a variety of abilities or immediately focus on a specific area, such as feature monetization analytics for SaaS.
This is the trade-off:
Starting with General Data Analytics
Pros:
- Lays a strong basis in business analysis, statistics, SQL, Python, data cleansing, and visualization.
- Offers you freedom; your initial position may be in operations, finance, marketing analytics, product, or customer experience, all of which continue to impart transferable skills.
- Opens up additional opportunities, which makes it easier to get that important "first job."
Cons:
- Since you'll be gaining more experience first, it can take longer to break into your ideal specialty.
- Later on, you could need to "pivot," which would call for additional study or side projects.
Specializing Early in SaaS Monetization Analytics
Pros:
- Makes you stand out as a potential candidate for particular SaaS/product analyst positions.
- Early subject knowledge development allows you to understand how pricing strategies, consumer behavior, and product usage affect revenue.
- You might be regarded as a highly driven and ideal fit by employers in that niche.
Cons:
- Since you're focusing on fewer organizations, narrow focus may initially make job hunting more difficult.
- Without expertise, it could be difficult to immediately land interviews in such a specialized field.
What many people do successfully:
- Your first job could be as a data analyst, BI analyst, or even an analyst working closely with a product.
- Specialize on the side while working, enroll in SaaS/product analytics courses, create personal projects that analyze public SaaS datasets, and add to case studies that provide insights into feature monetization.
- Make the most of your first year or two to set yourself up for a transition into your dream SaaS/product monetization career.
Focusing on SaaS right initially might be beneficial if you already have solid contacts in the field or are able to secure an internship there. However, a generalist approach is often the quicker method to get started if you're starting from scratch in analytics while maintaining your SaaS concentration as a particular project niche.
Best wishes!
A lot of beginner data analysts find it difficult to decide whether to start broad and acquire a variety of abilities or immediately focus on a specific area, such as feature monetization analytics for SaaS.
This is the trade-off:
Starting with General Data Analytics
Pros:
- Lays a strong basis in business analysis, statistics, SQL, Python, data cleansing, and visualization.
- Offers you freedom; your initial position may be in operations, finance, marketing analytics, product, or customer experience, all of which continue to impart transferable skills.
- Opens up additional opportunities, which makes it easier to get that important "first job."
Cons:
- Since you'll be gaining more experience first, it can take longer to break into your ideal specialty.
- Later on, you could need to "pivot," which would call for additional study or side projects.
Specializing Early in SaaS Monetization Analytics
Pros:
- Makes you stand out as a potential candidate for particular SaaS/product analyst positions.
- Early subject knowledge development allows you to understand how pricing strategies, consumer behavior, and product usage affect revenue.
- You might be regarded as a highly driven and ideal fit by employers in that niche.
Cons:
- Since you're focusing on fewer organizations, narrow focus may initially make job hunting more difficult.
- Without expertise, it could be difficult to immediately land interviews in such a specialized field.
What many people do successfully:
- Your first job could be as a data analyst, BI analyst, or even an analyst working closely with a product.
- Specialize on the side while working, enroll in SaaS/product analytics courses, create personal projects that analyze public SaaS datasets, and add to case studies that provide insights into feature monetization.
- Make the most of your first year or two to set yourself up for a transition into your dream SaaS/product monetization career.
Focusing on SaaS right initially might be beneficial if you already have solid contacts in the field or are able to secure an internship there. However, a generalist approach is often the quicker method to get started if you're starting from scratch in analytics while maintaining your SaaS concentration as a particular project niche.
Best wishes!
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