How I Became a Data Scientist | Computer Science Job Search Part 2

TL;DR

A journey from internships to a full-time data science job.

Transcript

hey guys welcome back to another video if you haven't already check out part one of my internship and job search where i talk about how i got internships in software engineering and data science at goldman sachs and amazon so a short recap i left off last video talking about how i just got my goldman sachs internship this video is a little bit abou... Read More

Key Insights

• The speaker initially pursued internships in software engineering and data science but found the experience lacking in human interaction, leading to career reconsideration.
• Despite enjoying technical aspects, the speaker felt isolated during their internship, prompting a search for roles involving more communication.
• The speaker considered transitioning to management consulting due to their extroverted nature but faced challenges in the interview process.
• Ultimately, the speaker returned to data science, finding a role that combined technical skills with internal consulting tasks.
• Learning SQL from scratch was crucial for the speaker's successful interview process for a data science role.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of introspection in career choices, focusing on roles that align with personal work style and preferences.
• They advise job seekers to be open-minded about different job roles, as each can offer unique blends of skills and experiences.
• Preparation and targeted study were key to the speaker's success in securing a job that matched their skills and personality.

Questions & Answers

Q: What prompted the speaker to reconsider their career path during their internship?

The speaker found their internship experience isolating due to the lack of human interaction. Despite enjoying the technical aspects, they realized that working in a siloed environment did not suit their extroverted nature. This led them to reconsider their career path, seeking roles with more communication and interaction.

Q: Why did the speaker consider transitioning to management consulting?

The speaker considered transitioning to management consulting because they are extroverted and enjoy communication and analysis. They believed management consulting would offer more opportunities for interaction compared to their technical internship roles. However, the structured interview process for consulting roles presented significant challenges.

Q: How did the speaker prepare for their data science interviews?

The speaker prepared for their data science interviews by learning SQL from scratch, as it was a requirement for the interview process. They focused on understanding the interview questions and systematically studied to maximize their performance. This targeted preparation helped them feel confident and well-prepared during the interviews.

Q: What role did introspection play in the speaker's job search process?

Introspection was crucial in the speaker's job search process. They spent significant time reflecting on what they wanted in a job, realizing that it was important to find a role that matched their personal work style and preferences. This reflection guided them back to data science, where they found a role that combined their technical skills with communication.

Q: What advice does the speaker offer to job seekers about choosing job roles?

The speaker advises job seekers to be open-minded about different job roles, as each can offer unique blends of skills and experiences. They emphasize that job seekers should not rush into decisions based on a single aspect of an internship or job but rather consider the full scope of what a role entails and how it aligns with their strengths and preferences.

Q: How did the speaker's experience with management consulting interviews impact their career decisions?

The speaker's experience with management consulting interviews, where they faced significant challenges, led them to question their career decisions. This experience highlighted the importance of aligning career choices with personal strengths and preferences. It ultimately guided them back to data science, where they found a role that better suited their skills and work style.

Q: What are the speaker's key takeaways from their job search experience?

The speaker's key takeaways include the importance of introspection in career choices, being open-minded about job roles, and the value of strategic preparation. They emphasize finding roles that align with personal preferences and strengths to ensure job satisfaction and success. Additionally, they highlight the diversity of job roles available, each offering unique opportunities.

Q: How did the speaker's final job role combine their interests and skills?

The speaker's final job role in data science combined their technical skills with internal consulting tasks, allowing them to use data to answer open-ended questions from business leaders. This role offered the communication and interaction they sought, while still utilizing their technical knowledge, making it a perfect fit for their interests and skills.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on their journey from internships at Goldman Sachs and Amazon to securing a full-time data science role. They discuss the challenges faced during their internship, including a lack of human interaction, which led to exploring management consulting before returning to data science.

• After considering management consulting, the speaker realized their strengths lay in combining technical skills with communication, leading them back to data science. They prepared rigorously for interviews, learning SQL from scratch, which was crucial for their success.

• The speaker shares key takeaways for job seekers, highlighting the importance of introspection, open-mindedness about job roles, and strategic preparation. They emphasize finding roles that align with personal preferences and strengths to ensure job satisfaction and success.