From Researcher to Data Engineer

Meet Md Tawfiqur Rahman, a certified Data Analyst, AI Engineer, and R programmer with a background in both Electrical & Electronics Engineering and Social Sciences. He is passionate about ethical technology and responsible AI. As a political activist and human rights advocate, he uses data science to drive social justice and positive change. In this interview, he shares his journey, insights, and the impact of learning data science with Dataquest.

What sparked your interest in data science?

My interest in data science was sparked by the need to manage and analyze the vast amounts of data I encounter as a researcher and geopolitical analyst. I saw the potential of data in driving informed decisions and making a social impact so I started by exploring data science and data engineering. It quickly became clear that pursuing professional certifications was the best way forward, and that’s when I discovered Dataquest.

Why did you choose the Data Engineer path at Dataquest, and what did you hope to achieve?

I chose the Data Engineer path because it fits my background and aligns with my job and interests. I hoped to gain a solid foundation in data engineering, and I’m pleased to say that I achieved everything I set out to with this career path. The curriculum, intense coursework, and hands-on learning experience were exactly what I needed. I’m not a fan of long, boring videos, so I appreciated Dataquest’s reading-based learning system.

How has learning data science helped you achieve in your work?

Learning data science and data engineering, and getting professionally certified, helped me organize my work and handle my own projects without relying on others. It also gave me the confidence to work full-time as a data engineer in any tech and analytical field. Dataquest made this journey smooth and insightful.

How did your expectations before starting Dataquest compare to your actual experience?

I had high expectations, and Dataquest exceeded them throughout the entire journey. The platform’s approach, interface, and the process of testing learners to ensure they’re industry-ready were all impressive.

Tell us about a project you’re particularly proud of.

I’m particularly proud of the guided project “Exploring Hacker News Posts.” It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that taught me a lot. The standard of this project was exceptionally high, and it really reinforced my learning while doing.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their data science journey?

Keep your mind open, be willing to fail once and succeed a million times, and remain humble. Learn every concept with utmost concentration and will if you want to excel in this field. Also, practice as much as you can in your leisure time because the more you practice data science, engineering, and analytics, the more invincible you’ll become in this sector.

Can you summarize your learning journey with Dataquest in a few words?

Three words are enough to describe my journey with Dataquest: Marvelous, Astounding, and Exceptional.