Pharmacist to Data Analyst: The journey!
It is easy to say that my journey to becoming a data analyst started with Coursera back in December of 2022, however, this would be a slight misrepresentation of the true picture. My journey actually started back in my pre-formative primary and secondary school days where my fascination with solving mathematical problems began. Mathematics has always been my favorite subject, and I consistently excelled in it. Throughout my primary and secondary school years, I consistently ranked among the top 3 students in mathematics. I even recall my physics/mathematics teacher from secondary school recommending that I pursue electrical engineering in the university, as he was a fan of my mathematical prowess.😉
I am a meticulous individual who actively manages her finances, using Google Sheets to track monthly income, expenses, savings, and other financial flows which helps me make forecasts and gain valuable insights into my spending and saving habits. I also use the Gantt Chart to organize my day to day tasks, assigning responsibilities and setting clear timeframes to ensure I stay on course. I meticulously schedule every activity on my calendar with timely reminders to maintain productivity, meet deadlines, and proactively manage my time. I track my fitness habits, my sleep, water and calorie intake, and reviewing the data weekly to identify patterns and areas of improvement. Remarkably, I have been practicing these data analysis methods for years, without realizing I was effectively analyzing data. 😲
Prior to starting my Google Data Analytics Course on Coursera, I had struggled with a prolonged episode of indecision and uncertainty about career trajectory. I relocated to Canada in July 2022, a challenging endeavor as most people are aware, especially when you’re far from your family. Balancing two jobs left me with minimal time for rest, let alone study and self-development. Also, due to fact that the Pharmacy profession in Canada is regulated, there are a series of examinations needed to be written which requires a substantial time commitment. I did not feel mentally ready to pursue this path, hence I decided to explore other rewarding and fulfilling opportunities despite the uncertainties. 😔
As a Pharmacist, I have had the privilege of gaining experience across various facets of the pharmaceutical field, including hospital and community pharmacy settings. However, it was my role in the pharmaceutical technology industry that truly resonated with me, as I found immense satisfaction in uncovering valuable data insights. I loved using Google Suites and Microsoft Office to track, analyze, visualize, and present data encompassing profit, sales, customer records, foot traffic, disease prevalence, top-performing and underperforming products, key customer segments, and much more. Additionally, I developed new monthly marketing strategies with these insights, contributing to revenue growth for the company. ✅
I am an avid trend follower. You can call me a “millennial” with a sprinkle of “gen_z” traits. 😆 Social media has been abuzz with talks about ‘Tech being the future,’ and phrases like ‘data is the new oil’ have become commonplace. I stumbled on a couple of blogposts, Twitter threads, and articles about data analytics and I thought to myself, 💭 “This is absolutely fascinating”. I remember reading a Twitter thread that left a lasting impression by someone I have been inspired by Jessica Ayodele https://x.com/jessica_xls/status/1559129469704617984?s=20 which she titled “my data journey”. Her post about landing her first data role in just seven months was the turning point for me. It ignited the belief that I could not only embark on a similar journey, but could actually be successful. This sharpened my focus and prompted me to take action. 🎯💪
This journey has been bumpy. I had months of un/low productivity and I and even contemplated giving up. However, my family, being my biggest and unwavering support system, consistently cheered me on from afar. Their emotional and mental support provided the much-needed boost to reignite my determination. I eventually finished my Google Advanced Data Analytics course, a feat that brings me incredible pride. I also pursued a Professional Scrum Master (PSM 1) certification. My innate talent for coaching and team management has me aspiring to work in such a capacity within the dynamic Tech industry if the opportunity arises.” 👑
I have spent the last 5 months upskilling, enrolling in advanced data analytics courses offered by reputable organizations and guided by expert data mentors. I even enrolled for the Google Advanced Data Analytics course on Coursera. I have since become proficient in advanced Excel, SQL, PowerBI, and am oncourse to being proficient in python and R programming. The entire experience from the after work adrenaline rush, the “aha!” moments, the frustrating incorrect DAX measures causing sleepless nights, the unbelievable enthusiasm, the push to finish assignments despite being exhausted, projects worked on, all of it, has been incredibly rewarding. The last time I felt this passionate about anything was during my undergraduate days, studying pharmacy. 🔆
I am thrilled about the journey ahead and cannot wait to share with the world all that I have been up to. Although I have lost some valuable projects, I’m committed to recreating them from scratch and sharing my progress as I accomplish them. My ultimate aspiration is to become an Analytics Manager in the pharmaceutical technology industry someday, and when that happens, I will revisit this post and say, with a gigantic smile on my face, “YOU DID IT.” 😄 😊
Thank you for reading! 👍
#myfirstmediumblogpost
To see some of the projects I have worked on, please connect with me on Github: Encyclobinafix (Sabina Elumleu) (github.com)
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IMAGE 2 LINK: https://www.dymatakipacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/math_2.jpg
