GM friends. This is The Query — the data newsletter that’s like the primary key for your data career. We help ensure a good relationship.

Here’s what we have for you today:

• Going from good to GREAT as a data analyst

• Remote, entry-level data jobs and freelancing gigs

• 3 data analytics projects for your portfolio

• Juicy data memes and jokes 🤣 

select * from content-spotlight

1. The differences between databases, data warehouses, and data lakes. If you’re new to the data space, these 3 terms can be confusing. Check out this video to learn the differences.

2. The 2023 MAD (Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence & Data) Landscape. If you don’t follow Matt Turck, you’re missing out. He’s an investor in the data space and has an informed perspective on where things are heading. Matt recently published his analysis and thoughts on the MAD landscape for 2023. It’s worth the read, even if you’re a beginner and don’t understand all the terminology. Read it here.

3. Going from good to GREAT as an analyst isn’t obvious. Once you know the basics of Excel, SQL, and your BI tool, it’s easy to stagnate. This guide by DBT Labs explains what you should focus on as an analyst to go from good to great. Here are the key points:

• Write world-class SQL (e.g. CTEs, window functions, aggregate case statements)

• Simplify joins with md5 IDs

• Use a professional workflow

• Contribute to a data-driven company culture

class LearningResources: 📊

You’re never too old to change careers.

Want proof?

On the data analysis subreddit, /u/ozarzoso posted about recently turning 50 and landing their first data analytics role.

For those looking to break into the data industry or fast-track your career progress, this section is for you.

three project-based learning resources

The projects below are ordered from easiest to hardest.

All are beginner friendly 🙂 

1. Build an Excel call center dashboard.

2. Build a Sales Insights Dashboard Using PowerBI.

3. Visualizing Bitcoin Prices With Python.

By the way, we’re working on creating some EPIC project tutorials you can use to beef up your portfolio and land a job in data.

Could you please answer the following question by replying to this email?

❗️What are your criticisms or complaints about the online project tutorials you’ve completed? How can we improve them to be more helpful to you? ❗️ 

two technical tips

Time to get technical…

1. Use a style guide when you’re writing SQL

In this LinkedIn post, Cody discusses the importance of writing SQL according to a style guide.

Here’s a link to the style guide he’s been using for years (created by the team at DBT Labs 🙌 ).

Nice and pretty

2. 13 Essential SQL Commands Cheat Sheet

Learning SQL as a beginner is intimidating.

But 99% of the SQL you actually write day-to-day comes from a short list of commands.

Here is a cheat sheet by Kyle for the 13 most common SQL commands.

one tool 🔧

Meet Stitch Data — a no-code tool for moving data from your favorite applications to your database or data warehouse.

Say you have data in Hubspot that you want to move into BigQuery for an analysis you’re working on. Rather than spending hours, days, or weeks writing Python code to do the job, you can spend 20 minutes with Stitch and write 0 lines of code.

• Stitch has a free trial so you can use it for a portfolio project for free

• Great for people who are only comfortable with SQL

• Over 100+ integration so chances are, they’re

Check out this video to see it in action pushing data from Hubspot to BigQuery in under 8 minutes.

def data_jobs(👨‍💼👩‍💼):

remote, entry-level data jobs

Because who likes writing SQL from a busy office?

1. Learning Analytics Intern @ Newsela — $35 hourly (apply here)

2. HR Insights Analyst @ Formstack — $70-80k (apply here)

3. Donor Data Analyst @ The Trevor Project — $75-90k (apply here)

4. Data Analyst, Marketing @ Tailored Brands — $55-85k (apply here)

5. Product Analyst @ Farmers Insurance — $60-107k (apply here)

freelance data gigs

Need work experience?

Freelancing is a fantastic way to improve your data analytics skill set and develop entrepreneurial skills.

1. Power BI Dashboard for Budgeting — $100 fixed price (apply here)

2. Digital Financial Dashboard Creation — $45-60 hourly (apply here)

3. Freelance Junior Digital Analyst (apply here)

4. Create PowerBI Dashboards — $15-38 hourly (apply here)

import entertainment as fun

meme of the week

Since this is our first newsletter, we figured we better start with a classic 💯 

r/dataisbeautiful

A 31-year-old man visualized his online dating historical data 👏 

They say that love is a gamble, but with only an 18% chance of getting to the second date, his dating life is more like a rigged slot machine.

Jokes aside, this is awesome.

data tok

So true 😂 

That’s a wrap for today. Stay curious and see you next week!

If you want more, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn (here and here) — we post data content daily.

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