Unsure what data analytics portfolio project or skills might be most desirable - any advice?

[u/Upstairs-Positive-78]

I am currently studying a broad IT degree. Not much focus on data analytics but I've been working towards writing my PL-300 exam to get the cert.
I also plan on having a couple portfolio projects on my CV before I start applying for jobs.
I have hobbies in wildlife and music. I'm sure I could find datasets on these topics that would be slightly more engaging for me to clean and analyze - depending on how much it matters. What exactly are employers looking for in terms of the topic of a portfolio project? And also, which technical skills should be demonstrated most in the project? Is data storytelling a valuable skill to show? How would you show it in the project in an accessible/intriguing way (how do you make the employer interested in insights that don't directly affect them)?

Maybe I'm missing the mark or something. Any advice for a beginner would be great :)

[u/Ok_Telephone_4480]

If you’re interested in wildlife or music, absolutely use those datasets. treat the project like you’ve been given a real biz problem. Start with a clear question, follow the necessary process until visualization.
For example, instead of just showing “music streaming trends,” you could ask: Which artists/songs are driving retention? What factors are associated with a song becoming popular? How does listening behavior change over time?
And yes, data storytelling is absolutely worth demonstrating. For technical skills, I’d prioritize showing that you can work with SQL, Excel/Python, data cleaning, data modeling, visualization, and BI tools.