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In this episode of the Data Career Academy Podcast, we sit down with Taqi Patrick—a public sector professional with 22 years of experience, decades of technical know-how, and a big goal: transitioning into a data analytics (and possibly data engineering) career before retirement.

Taqi’s story is proof that you don’t need to be in a “data analyst” role to develop serious data skills. As an Unemployment Benefits Specialist, he’s spent years building advanced Excel and VBA automations to streamline case assignments, clean messy datasets, and keep operations running smoothly.

His knack for optimizing workflows has given him a strong technical foundation—one he’s now pairing with a bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics and a growing project portfolio.

We talk about:

• The hidden data work inside non-analyst roles—and how to frame it for hiring managers.

• Why Taqi is building domain-specific projects tied to roles he wants.

• The degree requirement dilemma in government roles, and how he’s navigating it.

• Moving from “data adjacent” to full-time data professional—and why he’s eyeing data engineering as a next step.

• How to identify “real” job postings versus listings that aren’t actively hiring.

• The importance of soft skills—confidence, persistence, and adaptability—in a competitive market.

• Taqi’s top content creator picks for anyone starting (or leveling up) in data: Alex the Analyst, Data with Baraa, and Oz du Soleil.

Whether you’re mid-career, degree-hunting while working full-time, or just trying to make your existing experience shine in the job market, Taqi’s story offers a realistic look at the opportunities and challenges of breaking into data. His approach—focusing on tangible skills, relevant projects, and strategic applications—proves that you can pivot successfully without starting from scratch.

📍 Where to find Taqi:

LinkedIn – Search Taqi Patrick (T-A-Q-I) to connect, see his portfolio, and explore his Tableau projects.

🎯 If you’re a hiring manager in the Racine, WI area:

Taqi brings a unique mix of public sector experience, advanced technical skills, and a clear vision for growth. He’s ready to bring value to your team from day one.

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