I briefly mentioned previously that I decided to quit my PhD for Data Science. It has been a scary but super awesome journey filled with only happiness and learning.
I don’t know if I can really call it a spontaneous decision. I was interested in data science for a very long time, and I definitely love to code and I love my stats. In fact, if I had the money I would had went for a Masters in Statistics instead of PhD in Biology for grad school. Plus, the only reason I stayed on in Biomed despite being really tired of it in Poly is for research since research allows me to do some statistics. But I guess it wasn’t enough to cover up the dread of constant experimental failure, shit prospect and below average wages.
I did a lot of research before making the jump. I even threw a few hundred dollars at Dataquest to learn the basics to gauge my interest and when shit hits the fan, I finally realize how burnt out and unhappy I was in NTU. I bit the bullet, signed up for the next cohort of General Assembly’s Data Science bootcamp and left.
It wasn’t a super easy decision because the bootcamp is 6k after subsidies but looking back, WORTH IT. I was actually apply to various data roles and internship since the start of the year and none called back. After starting the bootcamp, I was receiving interviews invitation almost every day. It was nice.
It was not easy, there is definitely some learning curve even with my Python background. Juggling the course work with my interviews was very tiring initially but luckily after getting offers, I scaled back and start to reject interviews that are not sparking joy.
Eventually did get a good job that I am doing now, no stress and good pay and benefits. Hoping to stay and grow here because the people are good, no disgusting politics, no stress no OT good work life balance and best of all, A WHOLE CUBICLE TO MYSELF. I really like the job. We’ll see again after a while.
