On Becoming a Junior Data Scientist.
It all started in July when I applied for a Bootcamp training in Data Science for one whole month on Edo Jobs website sponsored by MainOne in partnership with CovenLabs. I have heard about Data Science and how it is one of the highest-paid jobs in the tech industry but I had no idea what it was all about.
A week after applying for the Bootcamp, I got a text invite for screening into the program, I went with little or no knowledge of Data Science (of course, I browsed some things out before heading there). Two weeks after the first screening, I received another text invite for the second screening. Did I mention that about 300 persons applied for the Bootcamp and 100 people were only needed to benefit from it? Yes! Just 100persons... Turned out I did well at the second screening. We were asked to go at the end of the second screening and expect a mail/call/text if we made it.
Fast forward to the early hours of the 5th of August, on a Monday. The day the training was meant to begin, I received a call asking me to report to Edo InnovationHub that I have been selected for a one-month training in Data Science after I had already lost hope that I wasn't selected the night before. Let me also remind you that training starts 8am and ends 4pm (Mon-Fri)
The journey to becoming a Junior Data Scientist began that very day. The first week into the training, we were introduced to python language; our tutor, Mr. Samson exposed us to array, numpy, pandas, tuples, variables, statements, functions, iteration, strings, lists, dictionaries, and other basic things in working with python. I became someone who knew nothing in python the previous week into one who can code in python with this basic knowledge.
Two days into week two, we were already working on datasets; analyzing data, and deriving information from BigData. I must tell you Mr. Samson did a great job on us that I can boldly say I am a data analyst.
Still, in week two, we were introduced to Amazon Web Service(AWS). CovenLabs partnered with Amazon for us to access their services/tutorials for free. We were told to start a career path on Amazon Web Educate on Data Science which involved us working with AmazonS3, Amazon Kinesis, Amazon DynamoDB, AWS Lambda, Amazon EMR, QuickSight.etc. for Data Collection, Event Processing, Data Processing, Data Analysis, and Data storage in the cloud. We watched tutorial videos, did tests/assignments, and of course projects before getting certified by Amazon Web Service as a Data scientists with a badge.
The majority of us finished our career path in Data Science at the end of week two entering early week three and were told to start another career path in Solution Architect which is another prerequisite that will aid us in becoming world-class Data scientists. Few of us finished the Solution Architect career path and got certified by AWS. Just so you know, I am an Amazon-certified Data Scientist and Solution Architect.
The beginning of the end was week four which was our final week at the Bootcamp. It started off when we were introduced to Data Visualization using matplotlib and seaborn, we had hands-on practice for two days before we were being shared into teams for our final project to be defended on the last day, Friday(30/08/19). Many teams worked in Education, Finance, Health, and Entertainment sectors. My team focused on health. We had this topic: "Blood Pressure and Diabetes in Pregnant women" (I will explain in detail what my project was all about in my next article).
Saturday, 31st of August, after our defense the previous day. We were graduated by Edo State Government, MainOne, and CoveLabs as a certified Junior Data Scientists.
I met some great personalities that are now Junior Data scientists. They made my journey memorable and a worthwhile experience; Jervis, Ibukun, Stephen, Bernice, Gift, Ahmed (of Group 7 'Machine Room' class), Manneseh, Uche, Esther, Kadiri, Akhere, Osas, Peter, Adbeel, Mr. Festus(class captain of Machine Room) and a host of others.
I want to appreciate the team lead of Coven Labs, Mr. Odunsi, and our facilitators/tutors; Mr. Asemota, Samson, Ope, Japhlet and Princess for a great and impactful one month. I also want to thank the Edo State Government, EdoJobs, MainOne for Sponsoring this project, and CovenLabs for the rigorous training. Thank you all.
