My Journey into Data Science
“Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” —W. Edwards Deming
Data science is a fascinating field that combines statistics, programming, and domain expertise to extract insights and knowledge from data. For me, the journey into data science began during my last semester in college. As I was preparing to analyze data for my undergraduate dissertation,
I consulted with several professors, including my Social Psychology professor. It was during a conversation with him that I was introduced to the concept of Big Data. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but the idea stayed with me even after I had graduated.
As someone who values continuous learning and growth, I began to research more about data science and its applications in various fields. I started my journey by taking a few online courses, especially those that focused on statistics and programming, as I was a complete beginner.
As a beginner, I found some of the concepts and the jargon to be a little overwhelming, especially since I didn't have a technical background as such. That’s why I found it beneficial to join Moringa School in Kenya, as it would give me a better structure in terms of guiding my learning process.
My experience at Moringa has been invaluable in helping me expand my skill set beyond Python and explore other essential advanced topics for data science. In a short time of just three months, I have developed a strong foundation in various programming languages, including Python and SQL. Additionally, I have gained proficiency in data wrangling and cleaning using libraries such as Pandas and NumPy. I have also honed my data visualization skills with Tableau, matplotlib, and Seaborn (Tableau is my favorite). With the guidance and support of my instructors and peers at Moringa, I feel more confident in my ability to tackle complex data problems and contribute meaningfully to the field of data science.
As I continued to learn, I realized that one of the keys to success in data science is having a growth mindset. Instead of being intimidated by new concepts or techniques, I have learned to embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow, even if that means reaching out to others. I have found that having a community and networking with other data science professionals has been incredibly valuable to me!
If you’re reading this and the thought of starting a career in data science seems daunting to you, first of all, let me assure you that you are not alone! I was in the same boat as you once. While it is definitely a challenging process, it is also incredibly rewarding.
Here are 4 things that can help you as you start your journey :
- Build a strong foundation in statistics and at least one programming language such as Python. You don’t have to be an expert!
- Practice! Practice! Practice! Find a way to put what you know in theory into a real-world project.
“Practice makes progress” — Unknown
3. Find your tribe. Get into a community, there are so many forums and platforms where other people share their knowledge and experiences that would prove to be valuable in your journey, as it can keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.
4. Make mistakes! Embrace the challenges allow them to be learning opportunities, celebrate the mini-milestones, and most importantly enjoy the journey of discovery that awaits you.
In conclusion, I am really excited about the opportunity to use my skills in data science to make a positive impact on the world and address the issues that plague us.
