I just feel like I should share my story as a gratitude to Codecademy and encouragement for all fellow learners.
I started on the Data Science Path in December 2019 and got my first coding job (in August 2020) as Information Analyst working for NHS (National Health Service) in the UK. I was able to easily transition from using Pandas to Pyspark to analyse Big Data (Prescribing of Medicines and Hospital Admissions in England). Huge databases, trust me. The very first job I truly enjoy. I am 33 years old.
I hope not to bore anyone to death so will try to be brief, but here’s what I consider relevant:
- I am a MSc Psychology graduate of 2012 (solid base for scientific method and statistics when working on my research thesis)
- I worked in HR, not really by choice but chance
- I never considered coding as a career option
- Me and my team colleagues were responsible for calculating employees’ annual leave which turned out to be challenging for some, including someone who worked in HR for 8 years. I asked them how they were able to do the job in their previous position and they explained they had a Excel calculator where they could input 3 pieces of information and output the result
- I decided to create such a tool for the team and this is how it all started. I had to google some answers, learned about setting variables etc. I was hooked with how much I enjoyed working on that problem and realised this was a basis for coding.
I don’t recall where I first heard about Codecademy but it was at that time and it feels like Codecademy found me
I lost my job in July 2020 and after 7 months with Codecademy had been gone through all data manipulation, visualisation and statistics modules (around 70% of the Data Science Path at the time). I didn’t feel like close to ready for getting a coding job but started applying for both HR and Data Analysis jobs. Guess what… I got no HR interviews and 2 interviews for data analysis with Python and SQL. I wasn’t successful on the first one but got an honest and constructive feedback. I nailed the second one.
I was excited, scared and extremely motivated.
First tasks involved developing SQL queries to check already calculated results by another government agency. I was then assign a task of migrating an existing process from SAS to Databricks writing in Python. I was given 3 months and completed the program in 2. My bosses were very happy and since then I am being involved in more and more projects. I help my colleagues with writing loops in Python and using dictionaries to increase efficiency. Everyday, I learn and find more and more creative ways to apply the knowledge and skills acquired here.
I just want to express my gratitude to all Codecademy team. The work you are doing is amazing! I was able to start off a job successfully, having no coding background before learning here. I now realise how well the modules are designed and how comprehensive the lessons are. You gave me my skills and sculptured the way I think and approach problem solving.
Advancing through more and more challenging projects is a masterpiece of simulating real life work scenarios. Kudos to you all!
I am more confident then ever before in my life. I learn on the job everyday and while still working to finish the Data Science Path. It is getting more challenging I am more motivated then ever before.
I know a great and enjoyable career is on my doorstep.
So, yeah… Please, believe in yourself (and your learning path here)
In my case, due to not high enough self esteem, it would probably take me a bit longer to start working with coding, should I not lost my job.
Meanwhile, it proves the skills Codecademy equipped me with, even if I didn’t fully realise it.
Best of luck,
Jan
P.S. I’ve had a few concerns about the depth of Statistics module but it got updated twice since I started.
P.P.S. Window Functions where one thing that wasn’t covered and created a challenge for me at work. This has recently been updated. The topic was covered better then any resource I could find online before it was added to the curriculum.