How I Became a Data Analyst After Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

Alla Bannikova, Data Analyst, and Electrical Engineer

After spending a few years as a stay-at-home mom, Alla Bannikova was ready to pursue a career change and wanted to become a data analyst. Alla turned to Dataquest to acquire the skills necessary to start her new professional journey

Embracing the Opportunity: Overcoming Doubts and Finding Excitement

“When I began my Dataquest journey, I was excited about the opportunity to learn programming/coding and gain new skills,” shares Alla. With an electrical design engineering background, she had no prior knowledge of programming in any language. Despite initial doubts about understanding complex topics, Alla’s enthusiasm propelled her forward.

Structured Learning and Community Support

“The Data Analyst learning path is very structural. Each step prepares you for the next one,” Alla explains. Dataquest’s structured learning approach enabled her to progress smoothly, starting from easy topics and gradually advancing to more challenging ones. The community support played a crucial role in Alla’s learning experience, as she highlights, “DQ also has a lot of materials such as shared articles and resources, and a community where I can ask questions or browse the answer if someone already asked it.”

Empowered by Community and Projects

“The DQ community is very beneficial,” Alla expresses. She found great value in the community’s feedback on her portfolio projects and appreciated the opportunity to ask questions when facing challenges. The community provided her with the necessary guidance to navigate the world of data analysis. The projects helped me to gain confidence,” Alla reflects. Dataquest’s practical projects allowed her to apply her skills and gain hands-on experience. The supportive community and the ability to receive feedback helped her refine her projects and grow as a data analyst.

Unveiling New Skills: Growth and Achievements

During her time with Dataquest, Alla gained a variety of skills, such as using Jupyter, becoming proficient with Pandas and NumPy, working with data visualization, and performing data cleaning and analysis. Along with her technical abilities, Alla also developed her communication and presentation skills, improving her ability to solve problems and conduct research. She looks back on her journey with a sense of accomplishment, saying, “I never believed I could do it. I’m really proud of myself.”

Advice to Dataquest Learners

Based on her experience, Alla offers valuable advice to those considering Dataquest:: “Plan your week and schedule a specific time frame for your study. Use DQ resources and ask the community for help/clarifications if you don’t clearly understand the topic. You might think – It is a silly question, why should I ask? But this is your way to learn and also make networking.”

Conclusion

Alla’s journey with Dataquest shows her dedication and drive to excel in data analysis. She learned essential skills, expanded her knowledge, and gained confidence through structured learning and community support. Alla’s eagerness to contribute to the community and commitment to continuous growth reflect her readiness to succeed in the data-driven world. With Dataquest, she is ready for a successful career in data analysis, equipped with the skills and determination to make a lasting impact.