Ask HN: Pivot from 'data science' to X?
I'm an embedded analyst in a small organization doing bigger-than-Excel-can-handle work (think: Python, R, SQL, UNIX utils, data viz, etc.), and I am disillusioned. At the end of the day, I'm just an in-house data janitor, supporting the people who make the real decisions. I want a job where I have 1. a role relating directly to the company's core business, 2. access to mentors and promotion opportunities, and 3. the opportunity to make sales or products, not just charts and tables. I know this may mean downgrading data hacking from 'love of my life' to 'secondary skill set supporting my main work', but I'm ready to pick up new skills and make the change.
Has anyone pivoted from embedded data analysis to a different career? What was it like? Am I correct in feeling like there's a ceiling to where data crunchers can go in many organizations, or is that just my particular job? What new careers might I look into?