Took an extended time but I discovered what I enjoy doing for the remaining of my life

Currently, I’m an information scientist over 4 years of experience. I need to delve into my very own journey — a gradual technique of discovering my passion for data science. It took me quite some time to work out my profession path, however the journey was definitely worthwhile. I hope my story serves as inspiration to anyone on the market who could also be struggling to grow to be an information scientist or doubting their very own abilities.

Arriving within the States with limited English Skills

“I work at a meth lab”. This was how poor my English was after I first moved to the States all by myself. I didn’t know there was a difference between “meth” and “math”. It took me a couple of yr to finally grasp the excellence. I wasn’t involved in making drugs; as a substitute, I used to be a math tutor at The Math Lab at City College of San Francisco (CCSF).

After failing the school entry exam in South Korea, I relocated myself to america, believing I can construct a brand new life here. I used to be a daring and naive 18 years old girl. I vividly remember the primary few days in downtown San Francisco, where I couldn’t even manage to order an easy cup of coffee at Starbucks. I stumbled over my words, leaving the worker perplexed, and he or she responded in rapid English. Feeling overwhelmed, I resorted to a bow of thanks, a gesture from Korean culture, before unexpectedly leaving the shop.

Discovering my passion for Statistics at a Community College

To enhance my English skills, I enrolled in a community college. There, I explored various subjects, including German, Swimming, Computer Science, Math, English and Statistics. Amidst this exploration, I discovered my passion. My childhood dream was to grow to be a math teacher, driven by my love for Mathematics and youngsters. As I pursued relevant courses, I discovered that taking Statistics was a game-changer. I fell in love with every aspect of it, which ultimately led me to pursue a serious in Statistics when transferring.

Becoming a First Generation College Student

My parents never left South Korea, let alone attended a university. Once I gained the admission to multiple universities, they were unfamiliar with prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley. Nonetheless, they were willing to support me financially, covering tuition and living expenses, proud within the knowledge that their daughter was embarking on a university education.

Struggling to Pursue Actuarial Profession

As a junior majoring Statistics at UC Berkeley, I explored potential profession paths. I joined each Statistics club and Actuarial club to realize insights. Initially, becoming an actuary gave the impression of a logical alternative — I enjoyed solving math problems, passed just a few actuarial exams, and accomplished an actuarial internship. Nevertheless, I encountered difficulties in securing 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’d have present in an actuarial role.