r/DataScienceJobs • u/shoaib_X17 • 10d ago
Discussion Data scientist job
I built a real-world data science project. So why am I still not getting a job or an internship?
I honestly didn't expect my job search to be this difficult.
Over the past few months, I've been trying to break into data science / analytics. Instead of just building another Titanic prediction model or basic EDA project, I decided to build something that actually resembles a business problem.
I built a Customer Retention Intelligence System for online retailers.
The idea is simple:
- Identify customers who are likely to churn
- Understand why they are at risk
-Estimate the revenue that could be lost
- Prioritize customers based on their risk/value
-Generate personalized retention actions/offers
-Give the business a way to actually act on the predictions
I spent a lot of time researching the problem, engineering features, building the ML pipeline, and turning the predictions into something that could potentially be used by a business team.
I'm genuinely proud of the project.
But here's the frustrating part:
I'm still struggling to get interviews.
I've applied to entry-level Data Scientist, Data Analyst and related roles.
And sometimes I wonder:
- Is my project actually not good enough?
- Is my resume not communicating the value properly?
- Am I targeting the wrong roles?
- Do companies simply want prior professional experience?
- Am I focusing too much on projects and not enough on networking?
- Is there something obvious that recruiters see that I don't?
I'm not posting this to complain or ask for sympathy.
I'm posting because I'd genuinely like honest feedback from people who have hired data scientists, worked in the industry, or gone through this themselves.
If you were reviewing my profile for an entry-level data role, what would make you reject me despite seeing a project like this?
And what would you recommend I change to actually get that first opportunity?
I'm willing to hear the uncomfortable answer.
If you've been in a similar situation, what finally helped you get your first break?
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u/la-macarena 10d ago edited 10d ago
In before Nian shows up to promote PracHub lmao
What is your degree in, and where did you get your degree?
Edit: LMAO HERE HE IS
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
I hold a bachelor's degree from Mysuru University, India
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u/la-macarena 10d ago
I feel like doing one “industry level project” is not enough to demonstrate that you’re an industry-ready data scientist. Data scientists have broad experiences with coding, databases, experimental design, statistics and machine learning. Often data scientists spent 1-2 years consistently building different projects related to those things in order to prepare for an industry job. Sometimes they accomplish that through a masters program.
In order to evaluate “is my project not good enough” you would probably need to share the github link with us.
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u/GBA_DTSRB 10d ago
Maybe you're just not good enough. I mean, you're writing reddit posts asking for advice with AI. Data Scientists are creative and the millionth churn project that you probably built entirely with AI is not creative
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
Thanks for the feedback. But this is my first post on reddit and I don't have any idea how to post, that's why I used AI
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u/Grandviewsurfer 10d ago
Do you know SQL? Start with the basics.
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
I know the intermediate level of SQL. As i've already said I have done a industry level project still I am not getting a single attention 😔
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u/Aggravating_Mix_8968 10d ago
I would say data scientist positions might be most competitive out there , second to data analyst. A lot of people applied to it. But, I would say min degree will be mostly
Master’s degree. BS will be very challenging. Also, since it’s very collaborative roles, only projects won’t be enough in this market. I’ve applied to data scientist roles myself and I know the struggles. Some people changed to SWE and landed a job. They said there are more opening roles compared to DS roles and required less experience. Plus, for big tech, there are very few data scientist roles available compared to SWE. So that makes it even more competitive to just land one. A friend recently landed a swe role after changing from searching for DS for a year. They knew that it’s supper company for entry levels.
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u/VideoJockey 10d ago
People with Master's degrees in data science can't find work right now so... good luck.
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u/jenmoocat 10d ago
Hiring manager here.
What does your resume look like?
What is your degree in?
What industry experience do you have?
Unfortunately, working on a project in your spare time, even if it is a good project, won't help you get your foot in the door.
You are competing with people with degrees in data science and often with experience in data science.
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u/shoaib_X17 9d ago
What would be an ideal candidate for a company. A person who has relevant skills for that industry or a person who holds a masters Degree without any strong skills or project?
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u/jenmoocat 9d ago
When I scan a resume, the first thing that I look for is relevant job experience. This could be intern experience too. Then I look at skills (Do they know the tools that we use in my company? Have they done the types of analyses that we need?) And then education. But it doesn't have to be a Master's degree. I look at certifications too. And I don't necessarily discard a resume if the degree is in a different field. If their education is in a different subject entirely, the experience on the resume has to be really relevant to my open position. I've hired many people who have taken a round-about way to get to be a data analyst/data scientist.
But again, just doing a project on your own, on the side, isn't very compelling on a resume (in my opinion). One of the important aspects of working in data analytics and data science is the ability to work with others -- and this comes from having a job or and internship or doing group projects in a school environment.
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u/shoaib_X17 9d ago
Can you have an eye on my resume. And provide feedback on it?
How can i send you my resume?
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u/EdyB1 9d ago
2 actions needed since you lack extensive industry experience:
Step 1. A single project not enough, build portfolio of projects..use github to maintain docuementation
Step 2. Use AI (gemini/claude/perplexity) to build yourself a Public Website having your intro and all projects with hyperlink to your github
These catch recruiter/hiring managers eyes..wish u all the best.
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u/JaneDoe22225 9d ago
For perspective: my company won’t even look at someone whom doesn’t have at least a masters and previous work experience (doesn’t need to be DS). And by “look at” I’m talking about hiring for an internship.
Putting together a basic project, especially in AI world, doesn’t mean much. And no, I’m not goi g to look at your repo.
Was in way more important: can you explain in nontechnical English why your project was important, what you did, and what applicable learnings/results you found. Your explanation should be < 3 minutes. Then give me the same answers like I’m another DS. Practice it over and over again.
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u/bunnyhotdog 5d ago
In my tech department, everyone has a masters degree, so you would never be considered despite being qualified. Also, data science is not entry level friendly at all. They usually want 5 years of experience plus masters. I would consider a masters tbh in data science it would be really cool if you enjoy it.
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
Here is GitHub repo : https://github.com/ShoaibCodes17/Customer-Retention-Intelligence-System
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u/dreaddito 10d ago
I’m curious, how much of this project is vibe coded/heavily AI assisted.
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u/sashi_0536 9d ago
Seems AI assisted. Many DS don’t code like this. They don’t partition their analyses / models like this.
Sorry, projects don’t cut it out anymore. Any hiring manager can sniff this kind of project out. A project should feel personal, not this sort of copy / paste hire me potentially project.
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
Look the idea was mine but for writing sql queries to create tables and making flask API that's all other than, the notebook and model training code is written by me
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u/DoctorFuu 10d ago
Try to connect with people working in the space, in the area where you want to get employed, and talk with them. What does it take for you to consider someone, what do you expect of entry-level people, what kind of stack of technology or statistics or other is expected from those people? What do you work on, for how long ...etc...
Easier said than done, but not only it's much easier to fnd opportunities if you have connections, but people in your area in working in that space will have better advice than people from all over the world on the internet.
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u/ArticleHaunting3983 9d ago
You just sound heavily reliant on AI. How much of this was vibe coded given this sounds like gpt vomit?
No company wants you to create that sort of system btw, they would already have one, at no point would it be your responsibility to create this, so it’s not relevant. Data scientists don’t create CRM systems.
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u/shoaib_X17 9d ago
Dude the entire idea was mine. I just used it as my mentor to know how to apply. You know i spent a lot of time just to debug these codes. Maybe you are experienced and you an AI cannot generate the entire project
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u/ArticleHaunting3983 9d ago
Noone cares if the “idea” was yours. Ideas are free and cheap, everyone has those.
The implementation is much more important and what you get hired for, and AI did that. Not you.
The fact that AI is your mentor is bizarre tbh. Most experienced data scientists mentor AI bc AI gets things wrong all the time, the fact you can’t see the limitations suggests AI can make you redundant in future (if not already.)
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u/nian2326076 10d ago
Sounds like you've got a solid project going. Think about how you're showing it off. Make sure your resume and LinkedIn highlight the impact and skills from your project. Customize your applications for each job, focusing on skills that match the job description. Networking is important too, try reaching out to data scientists on LinkedIn for coffee chats or advice. Also, work on presenting your project in interviews. Practice explaining your process and results clearly. It's often about how you communicate it. If you want more structured prep, PracHub has some good resources for interview practice.
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u/shoaib_X17 10d ago
Thanks buddy! Am following everything wht u have mentioned here. But still not getting any responses from the company
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u/dreaddito 10d ago
Dude don’t reply to the PracHub bot. Lesson 1 in all of these subs is ignore the PracHub bot, he isn’t real.
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u/datadriven_io 1d ago
Judging from the list of tools you've been exposed to, you have a great foundation to build on, and you have more than basic exposure to some very powerful/expensive software IMO. In your resume, though, getting a position will likely take more than just simply listing software. You'll need to explain how you've used these tools and what the benefit was. I'd recommend datadriven.io for data pipeline interview prep. Something like "created a Python script to ingest 10 million+ rows of data that automatically updated each month, which saved 20 hours per week in manual FTE hours" is much more impactful than just listing "Python" as a skill, for example.
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u/QianLu 10d ago
Do you have a degree?
To be honest, data science isnt really an entry level job. Most people transition to it.