# Reacting to "FASTEST Way to Become a Data Analyst & ' Get a Job" video by Stefanovic

> This is content from just-tim, the data-and-analytics channel by Tim Ngwena (formerly 'Tableau Tim'). Tim has 12+ years of hands-on BI experience and covers Tableau most of all, plus Power BI, Looker, Hex, SQL and data modelling, the analytics industry, and the craft of doing the job — always tool-agnostic and honest about the trade-offs.

- **Author:** Tim Ngwena (just-tim, https://just-tim.com/about)
- **Published:** 2023-02-01
- **Format:** Video · 2657 min watch · transcript available
- **Topics:** Career, Tool strategy, Data visualisation
- **Tools:** Excel; Power BI; Python; SQL; Tableau (public)
- **Canonical:** https://just-tim.com/posts/tableau-visionary-reacts-to-fastest-way-to-become-a-data-analyst-get-a-job-video-by-stefanovic
- **Watch:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1GvLczcc0

I react to Stefanovic's hugely popular video on the fastest way to become a data analyst and land a job. I add my own perspective from over eight years in the industry, agreeing where he's right and pushing back where I think the advice could mislead beginners, while drawing on my Tableau experience throughout.

## Key takeaways

- Starting with Excel (or free Google Sheets) is a perfectly valid route into data analysis, and being able to confidently read any Excel file is an underrated superpower.
- Rather than jumping straight from Excel to SQL, pick up a visualisation tool first so you discover real data-shaping problems, which makes learning SQL purposeful.
- Learn at least two BI tools, and consider adding something 'rogue' like ggplot to make yourself stand out for niche roles; Tableau Public gives you the full desktop experience for free.
- Don't fixate on a tool's sticker price, think about total cost of ownership; Microsoft bundles Power BI into enterprise deals, which is why it often looks cheaper.
- R and Python aren't essential for an entry-level analyst role, learn by doing not just watching, ask good questions (with mock data), build a portfolio framed around business impact, and don't quit.

## Chapters

- 0:00 Why I'm reacting to this video
- 1:30 His timeline and the luck factor
- 3:11 The problem with paid courses
- 4:13 Picking your first tool: Excel
- 7:08 Why I'd visualise before learning SQL
- 10:55 Choosing a visualisation tool
- 14:25 Pricing and total cost of ownership
- 18:48 Do you really need R or Python?
- 21:20 His recommended path versus mine
- 24:11 Learn by doing, not just watching
- 29:20 Stop solving everything yourself
- 32:27 Building a portfolio around impact

Watch the full video, read the transcript and use chapter deep-links on the page: https://just-tim.com/posts/tableau-visionary-reacts-to-fastest-way-to-become-a-data-analyst-get-a-job-video-by-stefanovic

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just-tim — Data and analytics, with a point of view. · https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7HYxRWmaNlJux-X7rNLZyw · https://twitter.com/TableauTim · https://www.linkedin.com/in/timngwena