How to Rescue The Damsels in Data Science
Becoming a damsel in distress and not knowing how to send an S.O.S.
One of the first things the instructor ever said was, “Don’t suffer in silence.” He then showed a graph of the emotional undertaking Data Science boot campers endure in the months ahead. Here’s an annotated version of said graph below:
The Damsel
I am a non-linear savvy enthusiast with strong soft-skills. In other words, I have worked extremely hard to alleviate my Asian parents’ concerns after I graduated with a B.A. in Comparative Literature. I’ve landed solid paying jobs since graduating. However, I recently reached a plateau which led me to sign up for a Data Science boot camp.
The first weeks were humbling, to say the least. Days filled with technical challenges, sleep-deprived presentations, and incessant existential questions.
So, as forewarned, “suffering in silence” became a default state of being.
And while I knew better than to internalize my frustrations or confusion over the course material, I chose to quietly flail for fear of being seen as incompetent or helpless. Or worst yet, hopeless.
As a result, at the end of each day, I would make my way home feeling demoralized. I would have cried more if it weren’t for the readily available salty snacks provided on campus. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I was often too dehydrated to shed any tears.
The Distress
The class comprised of 5 male instructors, 11 male students and 7 female students. And as the weeks progressed, students dropped like rows with null values. Half of them being women. This broke my heart.
As a modern woman, I am independent and fierce. Or so I’m told by blaring “strong women” anthems and tagged inspirational quotes. Admittedly, while I believe in the “strong women” movement, I fell into isolation because of it. I didn’t want to disappoint the women in my class so I withheld asking for help. I know, newb mistake. I also exhausted my energy attempting to uphold an “independent” persona by trying to do the assignments on my own.
It’s not like Rihanna bestowed upon me the responsibility of representing badass women in Data Science, but I felt a sense of duty. This sense of duty was further amplified after reading a recent TechRepublic report that stated,
“…only 18% of Data Scientists are women.”
Needless to say, I felt pressure to represent women in the best possible light. Of course, it gave me anxiety to not let on that I’m more of a “black light” and “fluorescent light” kind of woman, not so much “best light”.
Surprisingly, the remedy for the unyielding ache of self-doubt were simple kind acts done by both men and women. I’m grateful to them for saving me from the prison I made for myself.
Three Ways to Rescue Data Science Damsels in Distress
1. Check in with the women who aren’t asking questions.
I wasn’t afraid to ask dumb questions, I was afraid I was dumb at asking questions.
And I’m not alone in thinking this. According to a Public Library of Science 2018 study, “women are 2.5 times less likely than men to ask a question in an academic setting.” Women shared “not feeling clever enough” and “worried that they misunderstood the content.”
2. Setup a co-ed study group.
Community evokes belonging, accountability and more.
There is no bond like the one formed with people who share your love for coma-inducing foods as well as make sure you wake up from your 4am nap to make it on time for class.
Not to mention, the collective intelligence of a group can generate stronger problem solving skills as discovered in a MIT study that took a close look at social sensitivity. Collective intelligence is the body of knowledge that transpires from individual experiences. Thus, diverse backgrounds produce a wide range of approaches.
3. Ask women for feedback.
I thought I must have unknowingly signed my voice away to the infamous Disney villain, Ursula, because my initial attempts to contribute in group conversations were muted. I would have to physically wave my hands in front of people’s faces to be noticed. It made me question my value and my presence.
It’s common for women to question their value as a Pew Research Center 2018 report states, “79% of women in STEM in majority-male workplaces feel the need to prove themselves most, if not all, of the time.”
Every time someone did ask for my perspective, I felt like that person trusted and valued my input. After enough times, I was able to redirect energy towards exploring innovative projects and solutions. I no longer spent time focusing on ways to prove myself.
Not everyone needs saving all the time
Data Scientists uncover the stories behind the data. The more diverse the data, the greater the possibility of more stories being uncovered. More women does not necessarily mean better. More understanding and acknowledgement by both men and women does.
It’s okay to not be okay. I can be a damsel in distress one day and the next day be a determined woman. My value is continuous and the kindness I have received from people- invaluable.
