We thank Kristen Davis from Flatiron School for taking part in the Data Science Interview Series and sharing her journey of diving into data science, resources tapped on to learn more and her inspirations on “why data science?”.
Sit back and get ready for some amazing inspirational answers!
Don’t try and learn it all at once!
– Kristen Davis
Getting into Data Science
How did you first get into data science?
When the pandemic hit, I was at home with time and energy for the first time in a long time. At the time I was a teacher and knew that I wanted to look for a career that was going to challenge me and take me in a new direction. A friend of mine had gone through the Data Science Flatiron program the year before and recommended it. After talking to him and doing some additional research I took the dive.
What are the key skills that you use every day as a data scientist, and how did you develop them?
Data visualizations, presenting data in a visually appealing way that is clear and compelling to a non technical audience is so so important. I actually developed this ability when I was a teacher, but I think making presentations on a regular basis and asking for design feedback could help anyone improve this skill.
Resources to keep yourself updated
So much information is at your fingertips you just need to know where to look and have the initiative to ask the question!
– Kristen Davis
Books: which books have helped you the most in your journey and why?
Build a Career in Data Science – It lays out everything from start to finish about the what why and how of data science career. Can not recommend it enough!
Courses: what courses/programs have you taken that have significantly contributed to advancing your career in data science?
Flatiron’s Data Science Bootcamp was incredibly helpful not just to teach me the technicals skills needed but also how to think like a data scientist.
How do you keep current with the new developments? Top 3 resources?
Advice and Inspiration
Coming from a teaching background, what element of data science would you teach the younger students?
I would teach young students how to find the answers to questions they are asking. So much information is at your fingertips, you just need to know where to look, and have the initiative to ask the question!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into data science today?
Start by finding a MOOK or book that can help you start learning the coding skills you will need, start attending meetups and events in the data science field and start doing projects that interest you. Don’t try and learn it all at once!
What inspires you about working in Data Science?
The power to change the world with data. I am particularly inspired by the intersection of data science and non profits & how much power there is there to do good better.
3 words that best summarize how you learned ML and data science:
Self start studying.
