Episode 162

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Published on:

27th May 2025

162: This Loan Officer Became a Data Analyst WITHOUT a Degree (Ryan Ponder)

Break into data analytics EVEN without a degree, just like our guest for today's episode! He's Ryan Ponder, a Data Analytics Accelerator program student who transitioned from Loan Officer to Data Analyst within his company-- without a degree. He shares how he leveraged internal opportunities and attained his new role. Tune in and learn actionable steps for making an internal pivot and overcoming career challenges!

💌 Join 10k+ aspiring data analysts & get my tips in your inbox weekly 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/newsletter

🆘 Feeling stuck in your data journey? Come to my next free "How to Land Your First Data Job" training 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/training

👩‍💻 Want to land a data job in less than 90 days? 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

👔 Ace The Interview with Confidence 👉 https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/interviewsimulator

⌚ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

05:49 - The Internal Pivot: A Unique Pathway to Data Analytics

09:57 - Networking and Overcoming Challenges

15:47 - Imposter Syndrome

23:02 - Final Thoughts and Advice

🔗 CONNECT WITH RYAN

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtponder/

🔗 CONNECT WITH AVERY

🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@averysmith

🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyjsmith/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/datacareerjumpstart

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verydata

💻 Website: https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

🌞 Summer Cohort of DAA

Join the Summer Cohort of DAA and become an analyst by the end of summer! Be sure to check out our current deal to save BIG! See you in class!

https://www.datacareerjumpstart.com/daa

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About the Podcast

Data Career Podcast: Helping You Land a Data Analyst Job FAST
The Data Career Podcast: helping you break into data analytics, build your data career, and develop a personal brand

About your host

Profile picture for Avery Smith

Avery Smith

Avery Smith is the host of The Data Career Podcast & founder of Data Career Jumpstart, an online platform dedicated to helping individuals transition into and advance within the data analytics field. After studying chemical engineering in college, Avery pivoted his career into data, and later earned a Masters in Data Analytics from Georgia Tech. He’s worked as a data analyst, data engineer, and data scientist for companies like Vaporsens, ExxonMobil, Harley Davidson, MIT, and the Utah Jazz. Avery lives in the mountains of Utah where he enjoys running, skiing, & hiking with his wife, dog, and new born baby.