Lessons from my Data Science Fellowship

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!

July 2023 Notebook entry

Hello there, data enthusiasts! Demo Fest 2023 is right around the corner, and this means that the current fellows’ journey is coming to a close. We’ll be able to see the culmination of everything they’ve learned throughout their journey in Eskwelabs, and reach their destination point as Data Scientists! While their journey is coming to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the significance of the journey itself. So, in this blog, while I can’t speak on behalf of the fellows’ personal journeys, let’s take a stroll along memory lane and talk about my journey in Eskwelabs. Let’s get started!

The Journey

Alright, let’s do this one more time, my name is Basty, and I’m a data scientist, writer, and educator. As I reflect on my journey in Eskwelabs as a fellow, I can’t help but feel grateful for the transformative experiences and growth I’ve encountered along the way. I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be here writing to all of you if it wasn’t for my experience as a fellow. When I embarked on this data science journey, I had a destination in mind—to become a gaming data scientist one day. Like the other fellows, I was eager to acquire the technical skills and knowledge to be “good” in this field. Now while I have achieved some accomplishments in my career, it made me realize that the real beauty isn’t only in reaching the destination, but it's more in embracing and relishing every step of the journey itself. 

In my previous blogs, I've talked about what to expect in the bootcamp, but I haven’t imparted what type of characteristics you’ll get out of it as a person and data scientist. Before I proceed, disclaimer that these are my own set of characteristics that I was able to get from my journey as a fellow, and it might be different with yours but I hope there will be intersections. 

So, right from the very beginning, I had no idea what data science was about. Before being a fellow, I remember that daunting feeling of how difficult it was to learn these things on your own, and to be honest, now that I’m working as a data scientist (keep in mind that I still am learning) that feeling comes back every now and then. However, being a fellow provided me with a vibrant and supportive learning environment. 

What truly made the journey and environment special were the people I encountered along the way. Collaborating with fellow learners, engaging in discussions, and sharing insights created a sense of camaraderie and community that truly helped my learning experience. Perhaps, that is what I’m longing for now because the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of my peers opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Throughout this journey, my peers and I would always be analyzing data and trying to pin-point the right problem statement, and this is where I really got to hone my analytical thinking mindset. 

The lows…are also the highs

In the midst of projects and analysis, I also found myself indulging in this iterative process of data exploration, model building, and evaluation. Inevitably, each one was a challenge, but it was presented as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and refine my skills. I like to believe that this is where I realized the true value of patience and perseverance, which are qualities that are often overlooked nowadays. Along with patience and perseverance is the beauty of experimentation as I learned to appreciate the never-ending and unexpected (although, it’s kinda expected to have roadblocks) roadblocks that came my team’s way. Only by embracing the roadblocks throughout the journey did I stumble upon some of my most significant insights and breakthroughs. 

Despite the theme of this month about enjoying the journey, sometimes we have to sit back and remind ourselves that enjoyment doesn’t necessarily have to be good all the time. Especially for us data enthusiasts, the journey towards our destination points will often be a mix of ups and downs, challenges, and obstacles. However, recognizing that enjoying the journey doesn’t always mean everything is good allows us to embrace the full spectrum of experiences. It’s through facing difficulties and overcoming them that we often find personal growth, resilience, and valuable lessons that shape us along the way. And I think that’s the true essence of this month’s theme, and this blog’s topic—that even in the face of difficulties, let’s always find meaning and fulfillment in the process as a whole.

Never ending journey

Towards the end of my time as a fellow, as I was standing on the verge of reaching my destination as a data scientist, I realized, up until now, that the journey doesn’t end there. It is a never-ending journey of learning, hardships, forging friendships, failing, and growing. Ultimately, you will never reach your destination. As you reach what you think was your destination, there will always be something greater, a farther destination, and that’s okay because it reminds us that we are growing.

So, as Demo Fest 2023 approaches, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia! It’s a celebration not only of the destination we are about to reach in Eskwelabs, but also of the incredible journey that brought the fellows, and us here. Let’s always remember that the destination is just a dot in a graph, and the true joy lies in embracing and cherishing every moment of the journey itself.

Never stop learning!

Demo Fest 2023 is happening on August 10 at 7:00-8:30 pm. Sign-up here! https://bit.ly/2023DemoFest