How Data Science is Changing the World: Opportunities for Beginners

‍Basty’s Notebook

Hi, everyone! My name is Basty, and I’m a data scientist and educator from Metro Manila. If there’s something I value so much, that is education. Education has allowed me to not only dive into the amazing world of code and data, but also to encourage and inspire others to do the same. Read more about me here.

Outside of work and school, I love playing video games like Valorant and League of Legends. I also love listening to Broadway musicals (HAMILTON, DEH, TICK TICK BOOM ALL THE WAY!). Lastly, I LOVE watching Friends, New Girl, HIMYM, and The Big Bang Theory.

Now, let’s take a look at my notebook!

April 2023 Notebook entry

When I first got interested in data science, I asked myself what could I do to create an impact? Well, fast forward to today, my entire advocacy is all about creating impact with data and uplifting communities with tech. It was and still is a challenge to come up with concrete actions to do it and to apply it. But allow me to share some of my reflections on what worked for me. Who knows, it might just work for you too. Let’s get started!

There’s a misconception that being a data scientist is all about codes, figures, and numbers. But if you look at the bigger picture, being a data scientist revolves around creating impact in the business you are in. When I first got interested in data science, I asked myself what could I do to create an impact? Well, fast forward to today, my entire advocacy is all about creating impact with data and uplifting communities with tech. 

It was and still is a challenge to come up with concrete actions to do it and to apply it. Allow me to share some of my reflections on what worked for me. With the theme of this month being “We want to give you the opportunity to work on impactful projects that will change the world,” who knows, you might just be the next big thing. Let’s get started!

Data as an enabler

As the world becomes increasingly data-driven, the opportunities for impactful projects are growing exponentially. From improving healthcare to combating climate change, data science has the potential to change the world in countless ways. So together with my personal takes and some real-word examples, we’ll explore how data science is already making a difference and how beginners or enthusiasts can get involved.

Healthcare

Let’s first take a look at the Healthcare industry. Healthcare is one area already significantly influenced by data science. There are some local startups in the scene such as Healthdex who are disrupting the way we process our health records. Now, as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are becoming increasingly common, more and more data scientists and startups are using this data to identify patterns, improve patient outcomes, and even personalize the experience. For example, researchers at Stanford University used machine learning to analyze EHRs and identify patients at risk for sepsis, a potentially deadly infection. By identifying these patients early, healthcare providers can take steps to prevent the infection from becoming life-threatening. 

Disaster Response

Another area where data science is making a difference is in disaster response. In the aftermath of natural disasters, data scientists use satellite imagery and other data sources to assess the extent of the damage and prioritize response efforts. For example, after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, data scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder used satellite imagery to assess the damage and prioritize aid to the hardest-hit areas.

These are just two examples of an endless pool of possibilities of how data can be used to create an impact in the world we live in. Even if you’re not in the Healthcare, Agriculture, or any of the science industries, data will always open doors for impact—even in the smallest ways! With that in mind, how can you create impact in your own way?

Creating Impact one step at a time

So how can beginners and enthusiasts get involved in creating impactful data science projects? Believe me, I was once in that position where I wanted to get my hands dirty as quickly as possible. Well the quickest way for you to create impact is simply by creating your own personal project. You might’ve already heard about the popular projects such as the Titanic dataset or the Iris Flower dataset, but those projects are for mere pratice only. So I suggest that you look into an industry that you feel passionate about and look for some current pain points or past projects that you can work on or improve on. 

Another way is to participate in hackathons and join data science communities, such as Omdena. Hackathons and communities like Omdena offer opportunities to solve real-world problems using data, and collaborate with other data scientists. For example, Omdena brings together data scientists from across the globe to work on real current problems that are being experienced in certain parts of the world in order to create a positive social impact.

All in all, data science has the potential to change the world in countless ways, from improving healthcare to combating natural disasters. Literally anyone can get involved in impactful projects by participating in hackathons, joining communities, and by simply creating a passion project. By working together and leveraging the power of data, we can create a better world for everyone. So, I, together with Eskwelabs, invite you all to discover the opportunities to make changes in the world.

‍Never stop learning!