How I accidentally built a career in data

Some careers are carefully planned.

Mine stumbled forward, one misstep at a time.

This is the story of how I ended up building and leading global data teams, founding my own data business, and living a location-independent life I love.

It’s not a story of perfect planning. Quite the opposite.

And that’s exactly why I want to share it.

Because many of you are in the middle of shaping your data career. And it’s easy to feel lost when things don’t follow a straight path.

This is my honest reflection on every major step of my career:

What I learned
What I’d do differently
And what advice I’d give someone walking a similar path

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Step 1: Studying What I Didn’t Want to Study

I started studying economics in Germany and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I switched to marketing and eventually earned a German postgraduate degree in business administration, focusing on finance and marketing. I also spent time studying in Australia, where I completed a Master’s in Marketing Management.

Studying in German was extremely theoretical. I struggled hard with all the theory and was a mediocre student at best.

I spent WAY more time in bars and clubs than in the lecture hall.

In Australia, things improved dramatically - it was more practical, more hands-on, more aligned with how I learn.

Looking back, I wouldn't spend that many years in university again. I’d probably be a college dropout if I knew what I know today. Theoretical learning never suited me. I learn best by building things and solving problems.

Reflection: I really wish I knew earlier if I'm a manager type or entrepreneurial type. I highly recommend to spend a lot of time reflecting on this question. Here are two resources to start with that:

Step 2: Co-Founding a Marketing Analytics Agency in Singapore (Without Experience)

Right after university, I took a wild leap.

I moved to Singapore to co-found a marketing analytics agency with a CEO I met through volunteering at a careers fair. I had no work experience, no technical skills, and had never set foot in Asia.

But I believed in the opportunity and was ready for an adventure.

We worked with clients like AT&T and ING Bank, and I got exposure to big problems and big names. But I lacked the skills and experience to deliver results independently. Eventually, I got fired.

Still, those 12 months taught me more than five years in a corporate job ever could. I worked for almost nothing, lived in an expensive city, but learned fast and built an incredible network.

Reflection: I prioritized learning over earning in my early years and would always do it again. Highly recommended!

Step 3: Learning Real Data Work at a Boutique Consultancy in Germany

After Singapore, I knew I needed hard skills. I returned to Germany and joined a consultancy doing projects in data warehousing, customer management and analytics.

The 2008 financial crisis hit.

Projects were scarce.

The only project I could get was a data engineering role at Telefónica O2.

At that time my goal was to build technical skills but apply them in business- and strategy focused consulting work. So, this project was not really what I wanted but I took it anyway. I didn't really feel like I have a choice.

I hated it at first. But over time, I got good at SQL and data engineering (or what you would call "analytics engineering" today).

I started to enjoy the work. I had great mentors and got promoted quickly.

Reflection: Sometimes you grow to love things you initially resist. Don’t judge a role too quickly. Persistence is a VERY important skill to build.

My take: Ideally you develop a set of goals, values and principles that guide you. But those take time to develop. In the meantime: ask yourself if you're learning or earning. If no: quit. If yes: Don't give up too early even if the going gets rough.

Step 4: Scaling Data at Rocket Internet

My former boss brought me into Rocket Internet, the world’s largest internet incubator.

The mission: build a scalable data infrastructure blueprint to support a massive portfolio of high-growth startups all over the world.

I spent four years rolling out seven data foundations and data teams across 15 countries.

It was intense. Crazy hours, still relatively low pay, but immense learning.

We were building data teams and infrastructure at a global scale. The experience, the network, and the challenges shaped everything I do now.

Reflection: This step in my career was probably the most impactful. It gave me a chance to lead one of the world's most exciting data projects at one of the world's most desirable employer (10 years ago, not today anymore) at the sweet age of 29.

I always felt that the challenge was a few sizes too big for me but I would always do it again.

'If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!' - Richard Branson

Step 5: Joining the Executive Team at an Early-Stage Startup

Next, I joined Locafox as part of the executive team. The goal was to build Europe’s largest omni-channel marketplace, combining online and offline retail.

We raised double-digit millions and we were one of Berlin's most exciting startups. But it failed.

Our ambitions were huge. We wanted to build a new Amazon.com - combining online and offline.

We didn’t achieve product-market fit.

My biggest mistake: building a data infrastructure too early. It doesn't make sense to build a data team before you are sure that the business will operate in its current shape and form for the next 3-5 years.

Reflection: Don’t build data infrastructure until there’s product-market fit. Otherwise, you’re solving the wrong problems.

Step 6: Trying Something Completely Different

After Locafox, I burned out. Personally and professionally.

I became a digital nomad, eventually moved to Taiwan and took a role as Chief Product Officer at a Venture Capital firm.

I thought I was done with data. I needed a break.

But I realized quickly: I still loved data. I was just fed up with my old life, not the work itself. Changing my environment helped me see that clearly.

Reflection: I am glad that I tried a different role as a CPO. I always excelled at the intersection of Data, Marketing, Product Management and Entrepreneurship.

I think that more data people should keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities to move into data-driven non-data roles (such as Marketing or Product Management).

Step 7: Freelancing, Fixing, and Productizing

I returned to my data roots. I started freelancing, helping fast-growing companies build impactful data foundations.

It was similar to what I did at Rocket Internet, but on my own terms.

At first, I charged day rates. Then I perfected my delivery. Only once I was confident in my systems, costs, and outcomes did I move to fixed-price, productized services.

That shift gave me leverage, freedom, and confidence.

Reflection: I am glad that I spent many years charging day rates before productizing my consulting work. A lot of tech freelancers I know productized too early and burned themselves.

Nail the delivery first. Then scale.

Where I Am Now

Today, I run two location-independent businesses. (and a third one is in the works).

Building impactful, AI-ready data foundations for PE/VC-backed companies
Building digital products and communities for ambitious data professionals.

In my masterclass "Create massive impact with your data team" I help data leaders and future data leaders build impactful data teams and earn the respect of CEOs and stakeholders.

I no longer chase titles or prestige. I chase freedom, clarity, and impact.

Reflection: Your ideal career might not exist yet. You might have to invent it.

Final Thoughts: 5 Takeaways for Your Data Career

Here’s what I’d tell anyone trying to figure out their path in data:

→ Don’t obsess over titles. Focus on learning.
→ Early on, take jobs that stretch you - even if they pay less.
→ Technical skills compound but they're not everything. The true data unicorns are those who speak "data" AND "business"
→ Don’t build data infrastructure where there’s no product-market fit.
→ Your life is not your LinkedIn profile. It’s allowed to be messy.

The most rewarding careers are rarely straight lines.

They zigzag. They pause. They fall apart and rebuild.

And they turn into something far better than you originally planned.

Thanks for reading,

Sebastian