7 Lessons from My 7-Year Career in Tech
What I wish someone had told me when I was starting out
In 2018, I wrote my first SQL query. I had no idea what a CTE was, my dashboards broke often, and I said “yes” to everything.
Today, I lead cross-functional data science projects, work closely with product and engineering, and influence business decisions with data.
It didn’t happen overnight. And it didn’t happen without mistakes.
Here are seven lessons that shaped who I am as a professional.
1. Technical skills open the door. Strategic thinking keeps you inside.
In the beginning, I focused on mastering tools. I wrote better SQL, cleaned messy data, and learned how to visualize insights clearly.
That helped me land my first roles.
But I soon realized that the people influencing key decisions were not just strong technically. They were the ones who understood business problems and connected data to meaningful outcomes.
If you want lasting impact, you need to speak both languages.
2. Balance is part of the strategy.
Not every project needs to be high stakes.
I used to chase big, complex wins like new experiments or advanced models. These are great for learning but often take longer and involve more risk.
I started pairing those with smaller, low-effort work like fixing reports, cleaning up dashboards, or helping teams answer quick questions.
These tasks build trust, create momentum, and often uncover opportunities you didn’t expect.
Balance is not a step back. It is how you stay consistent and visible.
3. Communicating data is a skill on its own.
I have worked on in-depth analyses that went unused. I have also shared simple findings that shaped product strategy.
The difference was never the data. It was how I told the story.
If your stakeholders do not understand what your work means or what they should do next, the value is lost.
Simplify. Focus on outcomes. Make your insight actionable.
Clear communication is what turns analysis into impact.
4. Build relationships before you need them.
Some of my best projects started with conversations, not tickets.
Quick messages, informal brainstorms, or offering help on someone else’s work often led to deeper collaboration later.
When people know and trust you, they bring you in earlier, listen to your ideas, and loop you in on bigger initiatives.
If you only reach out when you need something, it becomes transactional.
Relationships are not a bonus. They are foundational.
5. Growth doesn’t always come from obvious places.
Some of the most valuable experiences in my career came from unexpected opportunities.
They were not neatly scoped or immediately exciting. But they challenged how I thought, how I worked with others, and how I solved problems.
Meaningful growth often happens when you step into something unfamiliar and figure it out as you go.
The most impactful work is not always the most glamorous.
Stay open to what doesn’t look perfect on paper.
6. Your manager is not your career owner. You are.
A supportive manager can help a lot, but they are not responsible for your development. That responsibility is yours.
Start keeping track of your accomplishments. Make your impact visible. Ask for feedback even when it is not offered.
The more proactive you are, the more control you have over your path.
No one will advocate for you like you can. Do not wait to be noticed.
7. Curiosity is your best long-term asset.
The tools I used in 2018 are not the same ones I use today.
Teams have changed. Business models have shifted. Priorities keep evolving.
What has kept me relevant is curiosity.
Not just curiosity about tools, but about why things work the way they do, how people make decisions, and where the business is headed.
Continuous learning is not optional. It is your edge.
Final Thoughts
None of these lessons came from books or courses.
They came from real projects, hard feedback, and a lot of trial and error.
I am still learning, and I hope that never stops.
If you are early in your career, choose one of these lessons and focus on it.
If you have been in the field for a while, reflect on which one you might need to revisit.
I would love to hear from you.
Which one resonated most with you?