It took a long time, but I found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Currently, I am a data scientist with 4 years of experience. I would like to delve into my own journey, the step-by-step process of discovering my passion for data science. It took me quite a while to find my career path, but the journey was certainly worth it. I hope my story inspires those who are struggling to become a data scientist or who doubt their abilities.
Arriving in America with Limited English Proficiency
“I work in a meth lab.” My English was this bad when I first came to America alone. I didn't know there was a difference between “meta” and “mathematics”. It took about a year before I finally noticed a difference. I was not involved in the production of drugs. Instead, I was a math tutor in the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) math lab.
After failing his college entrance exam in South Korea, he immigrated to the United States, believing he could build a new life here. I was a bold and naive 18-year-old girl. She vividly remembers her first few days in downtown San Francisco, when she couldn't even order a simple coffee at Starbucks. I stumbled over my words, confusing the employee, but she answered in rapid English. Feeling overwhelmed, I bowed, a courtesy in Korean culture, and hurried out of the store.
Discovering a passion for statistics at community college
I enrolled in a community college to improve my English skills. There I studied a variety of subjects, including German, swimming, computer science, mathematics, English, and statistics. In this quest, I found my passion. My childhood dream was to become a math teacher because of my love for math and children. As I took related courses, I realized that taking statistics was a game-changer. I fell in love with every aspect of it and ended up majoring in statistics when I transferred schools.
Become a first-generation college student
My parents never left Korea, much less attended university. When I received admissions to multiple universities, they were unfamiliar with prestigious universities like the University of California, Berkeley. Nevertheless, they were proud that her daughter was starting her college education and were going to support me financially by covering tuition and living expenses.
Struggling to pursue an actuarial career
As a third-year statistics major at the University of California, Berkeley, I explored potential career paths. I joined both a statistics club and an actuarial club to gain insight. Initially, becoming an actuary seemed like a logical choice. I enjoyed solving math problems, passed several actuary exams, and completed an internship as an actuary. However, securing a full-time actuary position was difficult. Despite this setback, I now consider it a learning experience. Looking back, I realized that my current job was more satisfying than my job as an actuary.