DEV Community

Cover image for Why Not Data Science?
Boi N Moriba
Boi N Moriba

Posted on

Why Not Data Science?

I'm 27 years old and I have just realized that I've been going about this life thing all wrong 🤦🏾‍♀️. Good thing is I'm still alive thank God, so I can start going about it the right way.

image of woman clapping her hands as to express gratitude

The How

After getting my Bachelor's Degree in 2014 I was on a mission to start my career in the health field. I was going to be a physical therapist!! 6 years later and I haven't even touched anything that has to do with physical therapy, let alone my degree (ask me if it's on my wall, go ahead ... it's not).

Don't get me wrong I loved furthering my education and I appreciate the experience I got from going to a university (Virginia State University 😏), but I was going after something I didn't want, I was going after something that sounded good.

Now before you judge me for picking a major that sounded appealing, have a conversation with my mother, then tell me how you feel (love you mom 💕). Let's face it, at 18 I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and staying at home was not an option. Long story short, it just wasn't for me.

Like a lot of my peers in the same predicament I got a job and started working until I grew numb. I got tired of wasting my life in an enviroment that stumped my growth. I deserved a challenge, I deserved mental stimulation, I deserved a job where I could sit down all day!!

a woman walking away with her reward saying she deserves it

The When

In 2019 one of my really good friends mentioned coding to me and how much I would like it. Right after he told me that, I recalled the two other times I had been told to try coding as a career. Third times a charm right? I took it as a sign and went all in. I haven't stopped coding since October of that year.

I still haven't explained why I want to become a Data Scientist, have I?
Well to break it down to its simplest form I have come up with a list. This list will not only show you why I chose data science but it will also show you what I like to do in my spare time. Prepare yourself...

The list

  1. I love problem solving (and the rise and fall of my emotions during problem solving. Once I figure it out, that feeling makes it all worth it.)

  2. I love Googling things (it's a skill, and it's not up for debate.)

  3. I love math (for the record, I more so like statistical math, don't through any geometry at me please because I will NOT catch it).

  4. I'm a Virgo ♍️ (which means I already made a life career out of over analyzing EVERYTHING plus I like to organize EVERYTHING so I am VERY task oriented)

The WHY

It's a match made in heaven!! As a Data Scientist I will be looking at all sorts of data and googling ways to manipulate that data. My day will revolve around completing task that have to do with the data. From time to time I will have to use math, as well as present what I have discovered and how it is helpful (which is a plus because I like to talk, can't you tell from my super long blog post).
Last but not least I will be sitting down majority of my work day 🤯😫!!! So, the REAL question is Why Not Data Science?

a man with his hand on his chin with a thinking expression on his face

Top comments (10)

Collapse
 
xanderyzwich profile image
Corey McCarty

Good luck with the transition. Many jobs see a degree in itself as an accomplishment. Not having your desired field as your major will mean that you have to work hard to get taken seriously, but if you are willing to take very basic entry level positions then you can build a work history that can get you there.

Collapse
 
bmor2552 profile image
Boi N Moriba

I really appreciate you advice, you are absolutely right. To be honest it was intimidating to start learning a programming language but the community has been so welcoming that the transition was almost too easy, I'm ready for the hard work though, I'm nervous but excited and I don't mind working hard to prove myself....challenge accepted lol!

Collapse
 
garzo profile image
Dave MG

Way to go! Much props for having a moment of realization, and using it for self-empowerment and motivation to step up towards the next thing for you. Good luck!

Collapse
 
bmor2552 profile image
Boi N Moriba

Thank you! It's the best thing I think I could've ever done and I hope this motivates others to do the same. It's never too late for a change!

Collapse
 
ad0791 profile image
Alexandro Disla

You are very Lucky to be part of flatiron school. keep going!!!

Collapse
 
bmor2552 profile image
Boi N Moriba

Thanks, I feel really good about being apart of it too! Did you attend Flatiron too?

Collapse
 
ad0791 profile image
Alexandro Disla

Yes but things went bad for me. But i like everything about flatiron. Keep going

Thread Thread
 
bmor2552 profile image
Boi N Moriba

Things happen so I understand. I appreciate the encouraging words though. The community they built is really helpful especially for the immersive program. I will keep pushing through!!

Collapse
 
ben profile image
Ben Halpern

Good luck!

Collapse
 
bmor2552 profile image
Boi N Moriba

Thanks Ben! I appreciate it a lot!! I will post my progress when my job hunt begins!