What is it Like Being a Mentor at Eskwelabs?

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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!

October 2023 Notebook Entry

It's not everyday that we get the opportunity to take on a path that brings personal and professional growth together. Lately, I've observed a growing interest among individuals eager to become mentors at Eskwelabs. Curious about what life is like in this role? Well, I've been fortunate enough to be one! Join me as I provide a glimpse into the life of a mentor at Eskwelabs and share how this experience has positively transformed my career. Let's get started!

The Daytime and Evening Hustle

If you’ve been wondering whether being a mentor is a full-time or part-time job—it’s part-time. Let me give you the gist: our Data Science classes are in the evenings, which means weekdays from 6 PM to 9 PM, and a slightly earlier start on Saturdays, from 1 PM to 3 PM. Our Data Analytics classes on the other hand happen every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 PM to 9 PM, and Saturdays from 1 PM to 4 PM. Now, you might be asking: What does a mentor (or in this scenario, me) do with the rest of their day, and how does this role fit into their career?

In the mornings and afternoons, I’m living that typical professional life as a Product Data Scientist. I've got my own career, meetings, and all the regular stuff that fills up the workweek. But here’s where it gets interesting. Once it's 6 PM on the weekdays, I step into a world of data and mentoring. It’s like having a double life, but instead of fighting crime at night, I’m empowering data scientists. Picture this: a bunch of eager students, ready and excited to learn from you and dive into the world of data—amazing and oh so fulfilling. 

Without diving into it too much, my main mission during those class hours is to unlock the potential in the students that were assigned to me. I guide them through the intricacies of data science, help them come up with solutions to challenges, and most importantly, share my passion for the field. I’d say sharing our own experiences is the highlight of our class time because you really get to see and hear the excitement and awe from them when they get to know the potential of where their career could go. 

A Community that Nurtures Personal and Professional Growth

Eskwelabs isn’t just a place of education, it’s also a vibrant and dynamic community. Aside from being able to guide students, being a mentor has allowed me to expand my network and form connections that have proven invaluable in my career. Through Eskwelabs,  I was able to meet my very own mentor, who is like the coolest person in the world by the way. 

Every class, we have these short meetings as mentors and we would talk about our own mentees’ questions, thoughts, and insights, but sometimes we’d also talk about our own fair share of working with data. Just by listening to the diversity of thought and experience from the different mentors every night added new dimensions to my understanding of data science, and even life!

In your role as a mentor in this community, you'll discover a gateway to diverse opportunities for career advancement and network expansion. Drawing from my own experience as a mentor, the unexpected twist occurred when I was invited not once, but twice, to serve as a guest lecturer. Who would’ve thought? I wasn’t just sharing my wisdom to the students, but I was also diving deep into the subjects I adore. You share, they learn, and it’s a mutual jam session of learning and growth. 

But that’s not all, I was also given the chance to be a judge for one of their sprints! Imagine sitting in the virtual judge’s seat, listening to students pitch their ideas and solutions. It's like a scene from Shark Tank, but with a sprinkle of data science magic. Being able to give a lecture, and judge their projects really open up a whole new world of opportunities for you to grow and connect with some seriously talented minds in the industry. 

Empowering the Next Generation

But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this journey is the fact that I'm playing a role in shaping the future of data professionals. It’s honestly so rewarding and fulfilling knowing you’re leaving a legacy and contributing to positive change in the lives of people. That’s a feeling that’s hard to top.

And there you have it—life as a mentor at Eskwelabs is an awesome experience, packed with growth, learning, surprises, and a ton of fun. You're not just guiding others; you're on a path of self-discovery, and you're part of a community that's passionate about nurturing you, and spreading the future of work skills. 

Thinking of joining us? Feel free to reach out to me or Eskwelabs, and we’ll be happy to bring you along on the adventure.

Never stop learning!