Update on Ember’s Data Science Journey – February 18, 2019

I’ve been moving along well this year on my data science journey. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying an edX class: Python for Data Science from UC San Diego . I started using Jupyter Notebooks (Python Kernel) over a year and a half ago, so I am enjoying the course on three levels:

1. It seems easy because I have a background in Python, basic programming, and Linux systems
2. I’m learning more about the Python libraries I use for Db2 health checks, and more about DataFrames that builds on my self-taught knowledge.
3. It has me actually doing some (very simple) data science practice projects!

I’m finding it far less challenging than the MITx probability class that I tried last fall. I’m not 100% sure this is a good thing yet, but I’m hoping later courses in the UC San Diego MicroMasters will build my skills in areas where I’m more lacking. I’m also finding the self-paced format fits my life so much better. I can work ahead several weeks when I have more time, and I can ignore the course entirely for a week when I am really busy. I had worried that the lack of deadlines would have me slacking too much, but I’m keeping up just fine so far.

My favorite week in the class so far was the one that talked about data visualization. This is an area I want to delve into more and more, and I learned several important things on how to honestly and compellingly display data. One of my priorities after completing the other courses in the MicroMasters will be to find a dedicated course in data visualization, because I can see how much more I have to learn in this area.

I’ve also enjoyed the Data Science generalities I’ve learned. The basic descriptions of Machine Learning have made such a difference in my understanding of these topics.

I’m finding it much easier to devote a reasonable amount of time and do work I’m proud of with this course. I plan to take Probability and Statistics in Data Science using Python when I have completed this course.

I’ve started perusing job postings to see if my perfect unicorn of a job – something that uses my advanced Db2 skills and lets me learn professional Data Science (or pays for a graduate degree in Data Science) really exists. I’m still not sure it really does exist. I’m not waiting for some perfect unicorn job to start applying what I learn, though. I plan to start applying what I’m learning in my data science training to performance data I have for Db2, and continuing to enhance my health check process with Jupyter Notebooks.