From Chemistry to Data Science: My Women Techsters Bootcamp Journey
My name is Nwakaego Anayochukwu. I have always loved Mathematics since I was a kid, and so in line with this, I wanted to be a Doctor since becoming a mathematician seemed limiting. However, when I applied to study Medicine, it did not work out. Looking back, I realize it was for my good because I wasn’t good in Biology; it was just peer pressure. This issue delayed my admission, but by the following year, my mother advised me to change my career path and bought a change of course form for me to study Chemistry.
I liked Chemistry and graduated well, but I didn’t enjoy it. During my service year, I decided that I did not want to practice it, so when I completed my service year, I bought a Masters degree form to study Environmental Management. I gained admission, but just then, the universities went on strike. During the strike, I got a job in customer care at MTN. As I worked, I saw everything we could achieve with the computer and technology, which fascinated me. However, when I got married, I relocated and had to leave my job.
I relocated to the Northern part of Nigeria, and there, I started to discover Data Analysis. I started with SPSS, and then I got a job with Yola Electricity. In my job, I worked with data, which increased my fascination with Data and cemented my desire to explore Data Science as a career path.
I started learning, but when I began to have children, I had to put a hold on it till I had my last child. After I had my last child, I rediscovered Data analysis and started to take courses in it on online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, etc. From registering for these opportunities, naturally, my internet algorithm started recommending options for me, and that is how my journey began. That’s how I learned about the Women Techsters Bootcamp, which changed everything. I studied a lot, but I had no structure until I stumbled across Tech4Dev.
I saw the call for application for Bootcamp 2.7, applied, and got in. Oh, the joy! For the first time, I was around like-minded people who understood my passion for Data Analysis. At this time, I had left my job at Yola Electricity, but before I left, I had a supervisor who took an interest in me, taught me a number of things in Data Science, and gave me a platform to practice.
All the proceeds I made from work while I was working and side gigs, I used to buy online courses. It got to the point that I knew many things, but I did not know how to apply them. However, my chance came when I applied for the Bootcamp Cohort 2.7. It was a platform that opened my eyes. I learned that I could do so much more, even with the knowledge I already had. In addition to this, I had a community.
During the Bootcamp, I got my first opportunity to work on a hands-on project. My learning found structure, and learning became easy for me. Now, I feel equipped to go entirely into Data Science. I am convinced that I am on the right career path.
My Bootcamp experience was seamless. The only challenge was combining motherhood and learning, primarily since the Bootcamp cohort I was in held during the Holiday period. I have three children, and it was challenging to manage taking care of my children, the home, and still learning. The only free time I had was during my work break and late at night. I had to learn how to maximize these times for my personal development. I always wish that interviewers realize that motherhood is work! But it gets easier.
One thing that stood out for me in the Bootcamp was the patience of the facilitator. He was very patient in teaching. He took time to explain each class. I used to run away from Microsoft Powerbi, but he made it so easy for me. Another thing that stood out for me was the dedication of my fellow Bootsters.
When I joined the Bootcamp and I saw ladies interested in learning, it spurred me. Some of them were mothers like me! It made me feel seen and realize that I was not alone. These women shared opportunities and resources with me. Seeing women in the Women Techsters community and outside take remarkable strides in tech motivates me.
I am my biggest inspiration. When I see something I can’t analyze, a tool I can’t use, I decide to learn it. So far, people are doing it, and I am willing to understand it. And part of the reason I am wired like this is because of the Bootcamp. I learned during Bootcamp that you can do so much with so little. Another thing is seeing women do these things!
After the Bootcamp, I got an internship opportunity for a month at MeriSKILL where I worked on Data sets alongside my teammates. During the internship, part of the work they gave us was similar to the tasks I did during the Women Techsters Bootcamp, so it laid a good foundation for me. I had to read up more materials and all, but it was not so bad at all.
Before joining the Bootcamp, I was not so good with storytelling, but during our capstone project, I had to learn it. I had to learn how to present also. I learned how to write a report. I am 100 percent certain that the skills I learned in the Bootcamp can position me better. I still have cause to visit the videos from the Bootcamp occasionally. It was also during the Bootcamp that I learned how to build a portfolio, and I look forward to more learning opportunities from the Women Techsters.
