Well, I’ve finally decided to embark on my Data Science journey. At first, I was considering a Master of Science in Data Science and/or Machine Learning-related fields. I looked into a number of programs, whether they be online or through a state university. The goal was to enhance my knowledge in a structured environment without ending up in piles of debt. Afterward, I considered the certification route, looking at accredited institutions as well as the plethora of online resources one has at their disposable thanks to the internet.
It was a bit of meandering path to make it to the decision I did, but I eventually decided that it’d be best to see how I like a fast-paced, self-driven online course, such as DataCamp. I read many positive things about the resource itself, many swearing by it with their newfound success after gaining the skills it promises to teach you. Given that it had a pretty affordable deal of about $165 as an annual fee, I figured, what was there to lose? Sure, it’s not an accredited institution, but I already have a degree from a great university as well as years of work experience in tech. In fact, I made a mid-career pivot into technical work with a full-stack development bootcamp called App Academy. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and, rather than throwing myself into another pressure cooker, I figure, why not test out my interests in a relatively lower stakes environment with consideration towards my other interests and life obligations. I figure a little less stress couldn’t hurt anyone. This is supposed to be a fun foray into a tangential technical subject that’s piqued my interest. I have this inkling that I’ll really enjoy it if I give myself the chance to.
Have you gone into data science yourself? If so, what route did you take to start with?
Nicole Ohanian 