Before securing her data analyst role, Riya from PES University faced several early setbacks that are common among recent graduates. Her resume was initially filled with academic projects, but lacked real-world experience, making it difficult for her to impress hiring managers. In interviews, she struggled to provide concrete examples of solving business problems, leading to several rejections with feedback that she didn’t showcase enough practical skills. Moreover, she found technical interviews particularly challenging, as she was unprepared to handle real-world data problems without relevant experience. These challenges highlighted the importance of gaining hands-on experience, which pushed Riya to focus on internships, freelance projects, and improving her interview techniques.

The bar chart comparing the importance of Academic Knowledge and Practical Experience from the perspectives of both Graduates and Hiring Managers. The chart highlights how graduates tend to prioritize academic knowledge more, while hiring managers place a greater emphasis on practical experience. This visual effectively illustrates the gap between expectations and employer demands in the hiring process for data analytics roles.