Introduction

Meet Sharon Atieno, a passionate Data Scientist and Technical Instructor at Pwani Teknowgalz. Her transformative journey in the tech world began in April 2021 when she joined our CodeHack training program during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let’s dive into Sharon’s experience and explore the impact Pwani Teknowgalz had on her career in data science.

Pwani Teknowgalz Impact

How did participating in Pwani Teknowgalz programs contribute to your professional development and skill acquisition in data science and machine learning?

At the time I was participating in the CodeHack Program, Pwani Teknowgalz did not have a Data Science and Machine Learning track, they were only doing Mobile Development, Web Development and Digital Marketing. In a way this influenced my decision to take on Data Science post the program . I had gone through the three different tracks and they didn’t impress me as much. I have always loved math, ever since I was a kid and Data Science had a lot of math and so I thought to myself why not try out something that already has a discipline that I enjoy doing and to add on that technology is woven into it and that’s how I found myself looking into Data Science and Machine Learning.

Were there any specific aspects of the program that had a significant impact on your career path?

Yes, they were. Among the things we were taught was Git and Github which are essential tools for collaboration in a team. These skills helped me when working with a team.  

Career Transition

Can you talk about how you transitioned from your initial skill set to a focus on data science and machine learning?

I studied Finance back at my University, I did a number of statistics units and that helped me quite a lot when I was transitioning into Data Science and Machine Learning. I also enrolled in Moringa School to build credibility in my career. Moringa School significantly influenced my prospective career progression, as well as enhanced my self-discipline and time management skills. Much as I have made a transition in my career, I still use the knowledge I have in Finance in the daily struggle of life (read zakayo’s regime) hehe.

Were there any challenges you faced during this transition, and how did you overcome them?

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth and unfortunately none of my relatives were village chicken sellers hehehe and so yes I faced a number of challenges dialing from financial constraints, lack of guided learning material, lack of mentorship. Even after transitioning and getting the knowledge I needed to lay ground my career, I still struggled with unemployment.  Moringa through Mastercard Foundation Scholarships lifted that financial burden, their Data Science and Machine Learning program also offered me the mentorship and structure I needed in my learning. 

Current Role

What is your current role in the field of data science and machine learning?

At the moment I am a Data Science Technical Instructor, I develop and maintain a comprehensive data science curriculum, I tailor educational materials to meet individual student’s unique learning needs and I also offer technical support and guidance to my students

Could you share some details about the projects you are currently working on or have worked on recently?

I don’t want to jinx  and ruin everything, so I won’t say much about the project I’m working on. A while back I got to participate in a hackathon that required a performance of Speech Recognition. I did not win the hackathon lol, but the hackathon birthed an idea that has been adamant to leave my mind. I believe I could drive an agenda with it. 

Giving Back

It’s inspiring to hear that you’re giving back by training and supporting other young women in Pwani Teknowgalz programs. Can you tell us about your motivation behind this and the impact you’ve observed?

This is a good one, uhm, most of what I am is a contribution of people in the society. My career would not have been what it is without the generosity of Pwani Teknowgalz, without the generosity of Google Developer Student Clubs, without the generosity and time of people who have been instrumental in my professional development. I am today because of a great community of individuals, what’s a greater honor than to be part of a community that does the same to other individuals ?  When we were having the last session of the program , one student said I  really inspired her, something along that line, and that is something impactful right ? 

Are there specific areas within data science and machine learning that you focus on during your training sessions?

I take keen focus on python core concepts, python is the programming language I use when it comes to Data Science and Machine Learning and so I always aim to make sure that  the foundation has been strengthened and is firm. In addition to that , most of these programming languages ride on the same concepts so getting a great introduction to one helps my students pivot easily into other programming languages. 

At the core of machine learning is just pure mathematics and statistics and so I take a great deal of time introducing machine learning to the students from a mathematics point of view. 

Challenges and Success Stories

In your experience, what are some common challenges that young women face when entering the field of data science, and how do you address them in your training programs?

I haven’t gotten a chance to ask my peers the challenges they faced while venturing into the field of data science and so for now let’s use my challenges as a benchmark. One thing that I really struggled with was getting a structured learning process . I have been able to address this by creating a Data Science and Machine learning  curriculum for my training sessions. 

Can you share a success story or memorable moment where you witnessed the positive impact of your training on girls and young women at Pwani Teknowgalz  Codehack?

A memorable moment would be when the students presented  their Data Science projects , I was so proud of the work they did. They made use of  the skills taught during the training sessions and presented amazing projects.

Advice for Aspiring Women in Tech:

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue a career in data science and machine learning?

I tend to refrain from giving advice, particularly to a public setting. Individuals have diverse experiences, what holds true for one person may not necessarily apply to another. Instead, I believe in offering support and sharing insights based on personal experiences. If there’s anything specific they would like to know  or discuss , they can reach out and I will do my best to provide insightful information based on the individual’s situation. 

Are there any resources or strategies you recommend for skill development and staying updated in this rapidly evolving field?

There are quite a number of resources, I wouldn’t be able to list all of them if I wanted to. The key to staying updated is to always read up on what is being developed , that’s how you stay informed.

Future Goals

Where do you see yourself in the next few years in your data science and machine learning journey?

I see myself building/designing  human centered software that is freely available to the public

Are there any specific goals or projects you are looking forward to?

Yes, I do have career and personal goals that I have set for myself and projects that I would like to execute in the coming years.

Closing Thoughts

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience, especially those who may be considering joining Pwani Teknowgalz programs or pursuing a career in technology

I ride on Nikey’s slogan , Just Do It . I cannot promise milk and honey and the greatness of bread  if you get a chance to join the program or pursue a career in tech,  but, and here is the thing, you will get out with something substantial and you will have more clarity on the terrain you would like your career to take.