new hire but still want to look for a more related position (loans)

[project-vayne]

I tried googling for a post about my situation but I couldn't really find one same as mine.

So finished my undergrad last Spring 2017 in Data Science. I had 0 related work or internship experience coming out of college. Also, not that many stellar projects which are mostly just school stuff. 7 months of looking for a job but 0 luck. I just received lot of automated rejection emails and I got maybe a few phone screens but I never moved forward after that (some ghosted, some emailed rejections).

I actually just got a job but it does not align to the skills that I learned from college and the only reason why I took it is because I'm broke af and I need to pay my loans. The current job I got is pretty much just data entry. IKR, so much for knowing Python, R and Java.

Here's my problem - I just got a voicemail and email from this recruiter who I was working with about a data analyst position. This is probably way more aligned to my skill set and probably way more helpful if I really want a career as an analyst or a data scientist. I haven't replied to her, but yes, I am very interested in position even if it's very unlikely for me to even get it because of the same problems that I've had for months. I know I'm being really negative about it. Should I still express interest or even apply to jobs more related to what I actually want to do?

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by project-vayne

I tried googling for a post about my situation but I couldn't really find one same as mine.

So finished my undergrad last Spring 2017 in Data Science. I had 0 related work or internship experience coming out of college. Also, not that many stellar projects which are mostly just school stuff. 7 months of looking for a job but 0 luck. I just received lot of automated rejection emails and I got maybe a few phone screens but I never moved forward after that (some ghosted, some emailed rejections).

I actually just got a job but it does not align to the skills that I learned from college and the only reason why I took it is because I'm broke af and I need to pay my loans. The current job I got is pretty much just data entry. IKR, so much for knowing Python, R and Java.

Here's my problem - I just got a voicemail and email from this recruiter who I was working with about a data analyst position. This is probably way more aligned to my skill set and probably way more helpful if I really want a career as an analyst or a data scientist. I haven't replied to her, but yes, I am very interested in position even if it's very unlikely for me to even get it because of the same problems that I've had for months. I know I'm being really negative about it. Should I still express interest or even apply to jobs more related to what I actually want to do?

Whether or not you believe you'd actually get the job, all opportunities should be followed up with--even if just to keep you sharp with regards to interviewing.

Even my husband, who's had a career for 23+ years in tech and works for a company that's doing very well continues to interview and speak to recruiters to maintain his interviewing/negotiating/communication/networking skills.

There have actually been times when a recruiter he's become familiar with will call him with a new opportunity from just getting to know him and his skillset. So don't be discouraged and keep working towards your goal.