How do you make your dreams come true? Through hard work.
That sentence sums up not only my career but also what I’ve seen in many people entering the world of data analytics.
This article is the second part of my personal story — how I went from being a complete beginner to someone who fully manages his own work environment, has influence over projects, and can confidently say, “I’m actually good at what I do.”
It’s not a general guide or motivational talk.
It’s a real story about what actually worked — and what didn’t.
From Literature Graduate to Data Analyst
Let’s start from the beginning.
I graduated in Polish philology. For two years, I worked in customer service, and after hours, I started learning Excel. That was my entry ticket into the data world. Eventually, I landed my first job at Lufthansa as a business analyst.
There was nothing extraordinary about it.
I didn’t have a fancy portfolio or certifications.
I got the job because I had a plan.
I offered a slightly lower salary than the market standard to increase my chances of getting in. My reasoning was simple: experience is the most valuable thing you can gain at the start. And it worked.
The Harsh Reality of the First Job
Looking back, I can say this was when the real learning began.
From day one, I got hit in the face by reality.
Even though I “knew” SQL in theory, I had zero practical experience. I didn’t understand the system’s errors or how to fix them. Everyone around me seemed smarter.
That’s when I learned something important — your first dream job will almost never feel like a dream at first.
It’s a mix of frustration, doubt, and steep learning curves.
But it’s also the time when you can grow the fastest — because expectations are still low.
That’s when you can sit down, take a deep breath, and start learning for real.
Double Down
There’s one phrase I still use to this day: double down.
When you feel lost or overwhelmed, don’t back off — study harder.
I used every spare moment to learn SQL, VBA, and anything else that could make me better at my job.
And it worked. Slowly, but surely.
With every week, I started to understand more and more.
But I also learned another lesson — being a data analyst isn’t just about data.
People, Conversations, and Confidence
In my Lufthansa team, there were just two of us. I was the “technical” one, and my colleague was the “business” one — the one who talked to people, gathered requirements, and defined what the systems we built should look like.
That’s when I realized something: talking to people is harder than learning SQL.
I used to get nervous before every meeting.
I was afraid to ask “stupid” questions.
So I avoided conversations whenever I could.
Huge mistake.
Because being a great analyst isn’t about writing perfect queries or dashboards — it’s about solving real problems for real people.
And that starts with understanding them.
Learning how to talk to people, listen carefully, and build trust turned out to be a much harder — and more valuable — skill than anything technical.
A Whole New Kind of Work
Once I got more comfortable with the tools, something else hit me — the difference in work comfort.
In customer service, every minute of my day was scheduled.
Breaks, calls, emails — all measured and tracked.
As an analyst, I suddenly had autonomy.
I was given a problem to solve — and how I solved it was up to me.
That changed everything.
Work stopped being a checklist of micro-tasks.
It became a creative, open process of thinking, testing, and iterating.
For the first time, I felt that what I did actually mattered.
The Money Reality Check
Of course, not everything was perfect.
Remember — I got into the industry by offering a lower salary.
After a while, I wanted to catch up to the market average.
That’s when I discovered how raises really work.
In corporate systems, raises are percentage-based.
So even if you started far below market value, you’re only getting 5% or 10% increases — which means it can take years to catch up.
That was my first big business lesson: if you want financial growth, sometimes you need to move.
Changing Jobs Without Panic
When I started looking for a new job, I was scared.
I remembered how hard it was to get my first offer.
I had gone through twenty interviews before someone said yes.
What if that was my only chance?
But that fear was just noise.
Because here’s the truth: getting your second job is ten times easier than the first.
Now I had experience.
I knew what I was doing.
I could talk to recruiters and hiring managers as an equal.
You don’t need to quit impulsively — you can look for new opportunities quietly, in the background.
That’s exactly what I did.
The Power of Connections
Eventually, I landed a job at Zooplus.
And yes, I was referred by a friend.
In Poland, people often say “he got the job because of connections” — and they mean it negatively.
But networking isn’t nepotism. It’s part of how the professional world works.
A referral doesn’t get you hired. It just helps your résumé get noticed.
From there, it’s up to you.
That’s why I always encourage people to build their network, use LinkedIn actively, and stay visible.
People don’t hire CVs — they hire people they trust.
When Technical Skills Aren’t Enough
At Zooplus, I finally felt confident.
Technically, I was solid.
I knew how to learn and how to deliver.
So it would make sense that the next step — a promotion — would come naturally, right?
Not exactly.
Because promotions aren’t just about skill.
They’re about trust, relationships, and visibility.
Building Relationships That Matter
For a long time, I believed that doing good work was enough.
But it’s not.
To get more responsibility — and higher pay — your manager has to trust you.
They need to know you’re reliable, that you communicate clearly, and that you can handle more.
That’s why relationship-building is such an underrated skill.
You need to have good relationships both with your team and with your boss.
It’s not about being a people-pleaser — it’s about being professional, open, and easy to work with.
You want your team to support your growth, and your manager to see you as someone who’s ready for the next step.
From Analyst to Architect
Two years later, I reached a point I never thought I would.
I became what I call an architect of analysts — someone who not only builds analytical solutions but also helps other analysts develop and design their own.
It’s not about the title.
It’s about the journey.
Every challenge, every setback, every uncomfortable moment made sense when I looked back.
It was a lot of work — but it was worth every minute.
What Confidence Really Means
Confidence doesn’t come from affirmations or repeating “I can do it.”
It comes from experience — from small wins, tough lessons, and hours of consistent work.
Every SQL query I wrote, every meeting I dreaded but survived, every project that succeeded (or failed) — all of it built my confidence bit by bit.
Until one day, I didn’t need to prove myself anymore.
I just knew.
What Truly Matters
Looking back, there’s a clear logic to it all.
My first job wasn’t perfect — but it was necessary.
It opened the door.
Every step afterward was about building independence, confidence, and clarity.
Because in this field, success doesn’t come from knowing everything — it comes from being smart, consistent, and brave enough to keep going, even when you’re unsure.
You don’t need to be a genius.
You just need to be consistent — and a bit strategic.
Final Thoughts
Today, I control most of my workday.
I choose what to focus on, how to grow, and with whom to collaborate.
The pay has long since caught up.
But none of this happened overnight.
It came from years of steady learning, thoughtful choices, and, above all, persistence.
If you’re at the beginning of your journey — use my story as a map, not a formula.
And if you know someone who’s struggling to find their confidence in this field — share this article with them.
It might be exactly what they need to take the next step.
The article was written by Kajo Rudziński – analytical data architect, recognized expert in data analysis, creator of KajoData and polish community for analysts KajoDataSpace.
That’s all on this topic. Analyze in peace!
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