I am currently a data scientist with more than 4 years of experience. I want to delve into my own journey: a gradual process of discovering my passion for data science. It took me quite a while to discover my career path, but the journey was certainly worth it. I hope my story serves as an inspiration to anyone struggling to become a data scientist or doubting their own abilities.
Arriving in the United States with limited English skills
“I work in a meth lab.” That's how poor my English was when I moved to the United States alone. I didn't know there was a difference between “meth” and “math.” It took me about a year to finally understand the distinction. I was not involved in drug manufacturing; Instead, I was a math tutor at The mathematics laboratory at City College of San Francisco (CCSF).
After failing the college entrance exam in South Korea, I moved to the United States, believing I could build a new life here. I was a daring and naive 18-year-old girl. I vividly remember the early days in downtown San Francisco, where I couldn't even order a simple cup of coffee at Starbucks. I stumbled over my words, perplexing the employee, and she responded in rapid English. Feeling overwhelmed, I resorted to a bow of thanks, a gesture of Korean culture, before hurriedly leaving the store.
Discovering my passion for Statistics at a Community College
To improve my English skills, I enrolled in a community college. There I explored several subjects, including German, swimming, computing, mathematics, English and statistics. In the midst of this exploration, I found my passion. My childhood dream was to become a mathematics teacher, driven by my love of mathematics and children. While pursuing relevant courses, I found that taking Statistics was a turning point. I fell in love with every aspect, which ultimately led me to major in Statistics when I transferred.
Becoming a first-generation college student
My parents never left South Korea, much less attended university. When I gained admission to several universities, they were not familiar with prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley. However, they were willing to support me financially, covering tuition and living expenses, proud to know that their daughter was embarking on a college education.
Struggling to pursue an actuarial career
As a junior majoring in Statistics at UC Berkeley, I explored potential career paths. I joined the statistics club and the actuarial club to get information. Initially, becoming an actuary seemed like a logical choice: I enjoyed solving math problems, passed some actuarial exams, and completed an actuarial internship. However, I found it difficult to obtain a full-time actuarial position. Despite this setback, I now see it as a learning experience. Looking back, I realize that my current job brings me more satisfaction than I would have found in an actuarial position.
